[ergothus]

> I'd say there is more transparency around unethical behavior by elected officials

And that's what worries me - note in my post above I was careful to talk about "public". Before there was a veil of deniability, the idea that at least a pretense of innocence had to be maintained.

Now it feels like there is little care to hide it. Sure, many of us are outraged, but that outrage has done nothing to translate into stopping the actions.

[tdeck]

Your perspective really resonates with me, and it reminds me of the old quote "Hypocrisy is the homage that vice pays to virtue". When people lie to cover up their misdeeds, it at least promotes the collective acknowledgement that we have certain values.

[jacobush]

It also puts a limit on what evil deeds can be done, too many or large things can't be hidden under the veil of innocence.

When even pretence is no longer a concern, there's no limit really.