Flip-flopping

As the presidential political trail continues, one of the terms that will be used extensively is ‘flip-flopping’. Regardless of political party or candidate, the term will be used to insinuate poor judgment, lack of resolve or even poor moral character. The person had a reversal of position. Perhaps more information was available - and more re-consideration was done.

Isn’t that re-consideration a positive attribute? Do people want their political representatives to be wrong - and to stay wrong?

Is there an expectation of a legislator to be right the first time and all the time? - If that is indeed the case, it is a burdensome and unrealistic expectation. Truly, the best that we can expect is that decisions be made with sound judgment in light of the available data. And sometimes, it is courageous to acknowledge an error - and to reconsider. There is no valour in continuing to be wrong. One can call it ‘flip-flopping’ - or just being plain sensible.

Catherine Forsythe

[tag]politics, flip flopping, character, sensibility[/tag]