Hypocrisy is national sport

From Bible-punchers to politicians, promises of virtue collapse under the weight of self-interest.

- Brendan Seery

I'm not a great fan of hypocrisy. Perhaps that goes back to the time when I discovered that someone I knew in the army a “Bible puncher” my father would have called him because he was always trying to save us, the heathens, around him - got his girlfriend pregnant and his equally Christian (but rich) parents flew her overseas to have an abortion.

And, afterwards, no big surprise that he dumped her because, apparently, for some people, sticking to the second commandment - do unto others as you would have done unto you - is entirely optional.

It will similarly come as no surprise to anyone that, after 40 years in journalism, I have found the biggest hypocrites - making Christian zealots look like amateurs are politicians.

All the high-flown speeches about caring for you, the voter, bringing about meaningful change in the country, standing up for what is right... are just so much hot air.