What is the first responsibility of an elected representative?

Lie detectors likely would not work in this type of application.

This testing would NOT be able to tell you:
1.) who is telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing, but the truth; or
2.) who is the consummate liar (able to fool the machine); or
3.) who is delusional and actually believes the nonsense they spout; or
4.) which readings are faulty positives or negatives due to the technical problems documented in the study used in the above link.

Dear Mr. Dennert,

Here is another item for your "lie detector test". I just read an article on the Mormon Church's attempt to write their religious doctrine into the state constitution on political watch. The article is at http://politicalwatchcentralcoast.org/media/mormon-church-organizes. It is a "must read" so that the public understands who is behind the movement and what their beliefs are. This all started when people found out that Lassen's Healthfood Stores in Ventura and Camarillo donated $30,500 to pass Prop 8,and lots of people don't want to shop there any more. (Trader Joes is looking better all the time and I'm now looking forward to the opening of Whole Foods in Oxnard.)

Take a look.

The full link to the article on the Mormon's attempt to pass Prop 8 is at
http://politicalwatchcentralcoast.org/media/mormon-church-organizes-member-involvement-passing-proposition-8/#more-100

Lie Detector Results

Date: 10/12/08
Location: Moorpark, CA
Time: 0945 - 1032
Subject: Phony-Tony Strickland

Question: What is your name?
Answer: Anthony Strickland
LD Response: true

Question: Do you reside in Moorpark, CA?
Answer: Yes
LD Response: true

Question: Are you and officer for a viable energy company?
Answer: Yes, we are developing wave energy
LD Response: lie

Question: Are you running for office to help the residents of California?
Answer: Yes, I want to help the people get government off their backs
LD Response: lie

Question: Do you and your wife take every dime you can from government, legal and otherwise, to enrich yourselfs?
Answer: No, we serve the people
LD Response: lie

Question: Did you authorize Jose to knock down men, women and children at the tobacco protest?
Answer: No, he did that on his own
LD Response: lie

Yep, your machine works Brian. The Phony-Tony lived up to his reputation. He can't tell the truth!

I object to the posting on this blog of my confidential test results. You will be hearing from our Sacramento attorney ASAP.

Phony T.

I guess I cannot fault you for not staying on your message.

But in all seriousness, if this worked wouldn't it make local debates much more tense and interesting?

Harold, I agree with you there are too many flaws with it to treat this as a serious issue, but it would be great television.