YEs. And religious morals have no relation to politics.

My college had a saying - I can't remember the latin but the translation was "Laws without morals are vain."

disagree. The politics of a nation are the nation's morals, albeit adulterated morals, due to the inefficiencies of majority rule. Religiousness often is the force which directs the nations moral compasses concerning political issues. How could that not be so? Are morality and personal conviction not at the heart of every political debate?

I suppose there are some decent politicians out there but, mostly, politics is about money. The offices we fill by "election" are actually bought and paid for by rich, controlling people. [In my opinion,] morals have about as much to do with today's legislation as light might have with the nature of darkness...zilch.

Which politics did he mention?

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I don't know... it's hard to say there is absolutely no relationship. It certainly seems like all political systems are based on some moral conclusion, even if it turns out that most people under that political system don't agree with the moral conclusion, or even if that moral conclusion is itself pretty far out there.

Our boy here was a pretty cynical guy, though, so maybe he's saying there is a fundamental disconnect between the politics and the morals upon which they are based. This a hard one to really get behind because it seems like so much of his other comments, which were by and large meant to rationalize the predations of those in power.... People often fundamentally confuse these basic relationships because they are blurred to begin with. "Mac" was looking for a job, so he was pretty anxious to say what Italian provincial rulers wanted to hear....

I guess if one used as a definition of "morals" that it required no action and one of "politics" that it required no basis in experience then it makes a certain sense. Those are pretty rarified definitions, though. I don't think it bears much resemblance to the real world.

Machiavelli, though unfavorable to most, may not be given the benefit of the doubt.

Having served the republic for the span of about 14 years, he interfaced with the most influential leaders of Europe, and grew to understand the reality behind politics. In short, the reality that human nature (despite that it is cloaked in the garment of politics/government) a very prone to betraying honor and scruples, when money is involved.

His candid articulation of the same is often misunderstood by the masses. A reading of his work, "The Discourses," is highly advisable, as it provide a keener insight into Machiavelli's ideology on political reality.

Politics and Morals have different worlds. Politics is a dirty game just what was mentioned above while morals is contradicting to the word dirty game since morals is for virtuous deeds.

I believe Machiavelli is referring to the nature of self-promotion and self-preservation that is at the core politics. These things often take priority over most anything else involved in politics, morals included.

dsturges and DaekMoon have it right.

Most of the rest is conflation of 'morals' with 'my good morals'.

IMO

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Arguing with a creationist is like playing chess with a pigeon. It'll knock over the pieces, crap on the board, and fly back to it's flock to claim victory.