''why is this? '' because it works - very very clearly, people...

''why is this? ''

because it works - very very clearly, people just don't care if someone lies or not

''can't they win hearts and minds with truth, with honesty?''

IMO - for running for elections ------------- no

anyone who stood up and was truthful and honest about what needed to be done AND that they would do it - for the sake of their nation - would NOT be voted in

people in the USA and Australia and many other nations - are individualistic

they are ONLY interested in their own benefit and their vision only goes at best - weeks into the future

the are not interested in their nation and they certainly can't even remotely comprehend building something and peering forward say - even 10 years, certainly not 20 and beyond that is some place in a galaxy far away

you expect too much. As I used to at some stage in the past