Well, are you celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday today? Or still mourning for POTUS James Earl Carter? Or celebrating and rejoicing in the inauguration of Trump 2.0 – the new regime of The Donald? Or just celebrating the ending of Uncle Joe’s four years of – well, the list is too long to go through now.
But this is a good time to talk about the personality traits or characteristics of politicians.
Now, we won’t be so crude as to ask that if the ISS had deorbited and hit the Capitol Dome at 12 noon today, whether the Fifty States and the world (maybe even the Solar System) would be better off or not. We’re sure you have your own thoughts about that.
But for years we here at The Price of Liberty have developed the idea that all politicians are narcissists. So a bit less than others, but still an essential element of their personalities. And even success. (As defined by them, not ordinary people.)
What is narcissism? Here is one list of symptoms. Ask how many of these symptoms fit politicians – especially those in office – that you know.
- Being overly boastful, exaggerating one’s own achievements
- Pretending to be superior to others
- Lack of empathy for others
- Looking down on others as inferior
- Monopolising conversations
- Impatient, angry, unhappy, depressed or has mood swings when criticized
- Easily disappointed when expected importance is not given
- Always craves for “the best” in everything
- Has a very fragile self-esteem
One observer notes that the hallmarks of narcissistic personalities can include “projection” and “gaslighting.”
Projection? One psychology expert says this is a defense mechanism that involves attributing one’s undesirable traits, feelings, impulses, or actions to other people. For instance, someone who is a child abuser might accuse others of being child abusers. This shifts attention away from their perversion and acting upon it. There have been numerous news stories of politicians and government employees (such as teachers) who have done just that. In other words, “do as I say, not as I do.” Hypocrisy in religious terms. And almost always with a big dose of guilt and condescension.
Know anyone like that? Certainly the Dems and Uncle Joe’s regime demonstrate a very high level of this. But then, so do GOP types. Of course, this sort of behavior is not limited to just politicians and government goons. We see it in organized religion, even in cults, and in business. Yes, even in private as well as public schools.
Let us move on to another common action of narcissists: gaslighting. A modern “popular” expression, what does it mean? Again, psychologists tell us that gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse whereby a person or group manipulates one or more people into questioning their sanity and perception of reality. People who gaslight may intentionally or unintentionally use this to exert power or control over others with the goal of manipulating them. Again, know any politicians who do this? (Or media, or advertisers?) The result is that those experiencing gaslighting may often feel confused about their version of reality, experience anxiety, or be unable to trust themselves. Like what really happened on 6 January 2021. Or in Seattle and Portland. Or Russia and Ukraine. Or Gaza and Syria.
Simply, gaslighting is a form of lying. And when combined with projection, it is an important, valuable – even indispensable tool of politicians.
And of course, this tool – and evidence of the narcissism of politicians – is not just limited to election years and political campaigns. We have seen it for the whole three weeks of January 2025, of course. And will see it in Congress and in every State legislature, recalling the words of Mark Twain:
No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session.
And this one:
Our lives, our liberty, and our property are never in greater danger than when Congress is in session
We leave our readers with this thought from nearly a half century ago, and Jimmy Carter’s infamous “Malaise Speech” of July 1979. Fifty years have led both to more realization of the truth as well as rejection of his words.
Our people are losing that faith, not only in government itself but in the ability as citizens to serve as the ultimate rulers and shapers of our democracy [sic].
About TPOL Nathan
Follower of Christ Jesus (a christian), Pahasapan (resident of the Black Hills), Westerner, Lover of Liberty, Free-Market Anarchist, Engineer, Army Officer, Husband, Father, Historian, Writer, Evangelist. Successor to Lady Susan (Mama Liberty) at TPOL.
The Price of Liberty 
Projection? Gaslighting? Narcissism?
Well, are you celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday today? Or still mourning for POTUS James Earl Carter? Or celebrating and rejoicing in the inauguration of Trump 2.0 – the new regime of The Donald? Or just celebrating the ending of Uncle Joe’s four years of – well, the list is too long to go through now.
But this is a good time to talk about the personality traits or characteristics of politicians.
Now, we won’t be so crude as to ask that if the ISS had deorbited and hit the Capitol Dome at 12 noon today, whether the Fifty States and the world (maybe even the Solar System) would be better off or not. We’re sure you have your own thoughts about that.
But for years we here at The Price of Liberty have developed the idea that all politicians are narcissists. So a bit less than others, but still an essential element of their personalities. And even success. (As defined by them, not ordinary people.)
What is narcissism? Here is one list of symptoms. Ask how many of these symptoms fit politicians – especially those in office – that you know.
One observer notes that the hallmarks of narcissistic personalities can include “projection” and “gaslighting.”
Projection? One psychology expert says this is a defense mechanism that involves attributing one’s undesirable traits, feelings, impulses, or actions to other people. For instance, someone who is a child abuser might accuse others of being child abusers. This shifts attention away from their perversion and acting upon it. There have been numerous news stories of politicians and government employees (such as teachers) who have done just that. In other words, “do as I say, not as I do.” Hypocrisy in religious terms. And almost always with a big dose of guilt and condescension.
Know anyone like that? Certainly the Dems and Uncle Joe’s regime demonstrate a very high level of this. But then, so do GOP types. Of course, this sort of behavior is not limited to just politicians and government goons. We see it in organized religion, even in cults, and in business. Yes, even in private as well as public schools.
Let us move on to another common action of narcissists: gaslighting. A modern “popular” expression, what does it mean? Again, psychologists tell us that gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse whereby a person or group manipulates one or more people into questioning their sanity and perception of reality. People who gaslight may intentionally or unintentionally use this to exert power or control over others with the goal of manipulating them. Again, know any politicians who do this? (Or media, or advertisers?) The result is that those experiencing gaslighting may often feel confused about their version of reality, experience anxiety, or be unable to trust themselves. Like what really happened on 6 January 2021. Or in Seattle and Portland. Or Russia and Ukraine. Or Gaza and Syria.
Simply, gaslighting is a form of lying. And when combined with projection, it is an important, valuable – even indispensable tool of politicians.
And of course, this tool – and evidence of the narcissism of politicians – is not just limited to election years and political campaigns. We have seen it for the whole three weeks of January 2025, of course. And will see it in Congress and in every State legislature, recalling the words of Mark Twain:
And this one:
We leave our readers with this thought from nearly a half century ago, and Jimmy Carter’s infamous “Malaise Speech” of July 1979. Fifty years have led both to more realization of the truth as well as rejection of his words.
Share this:
About TPOL Nathan
Follower of Christ Jesus (a christian), Pahasapan (resident of the Black Hills), Westerner, Lover of Liberty, Free-Market Anarchist, Engineer, Army Officer, Husband, Father, Historian, Writer, Evangelist. Successor to Lady Susan (Mama Liberty) at TPOL.