There are distinct differences between a Sociopath and a Psychopath, Here is one list of the characteristics of a sociopath:
1. Sociopaths are very charming.
2. Sociopaths can be extremely manipulative and will try to con you whenever possible.
3. Sociopaths feel that they are entitled to everything.
4. Sociopaths will lie continuously to get what they want. They can even sometimes manipulate a lie detector.
5. Sociopaths have no remorse, shame or guilt.
6. Sociopaths will show love and happiness only when it serves their purpose. None of the feelings are genuine.
7. Sociopaths have no room for love in their life.
8. Sociopaths need to have excitement in their lives or live on the edge.
9. Sociopaths have lack of empathy when their victims suffer pain that they have caused.
10. Sociopaths believe that they are all mightier than thou, there is no concern on how their behavior impacts others.
11. Sociopaths usually have a long history of juvenile delinquency as well as behavior problems.
12. Sociopaths will never take blame for anything they have done to anyone no matter if it is family or friend.
13. Sociopaths have many sexual partners and tend to act out many sexual acts.
14. Sociopaths rarely stay in one place for a long time (home/work).
15. Sociopaths will change themselves if they know it will keep them from being found out.
This same source describes a Psychopath:
1. Psychopaths use superficial charm to lure their victims.
2. Psychopaths are extremely self-centered.
The Trick Is On You. 3. Psychopaths must always do something to keep themselves from boredom.
4. Psychopaths are very deceptive and tend to lie continuously.
5. Psychopaths show no remorse of guilt towards their victims.
6. Psychopaths are very predatory and usually will live off other people.
7. Psychopaths have many sexual partners in their lifetime.
8. Psychopaths are very impulsive with their lifestyle.
9. Psychopaths are always blaming other people for their actions.
10. Psychopaths never have a realistic view of their lives. (king of the world or from another planet)
11. Psychopaths always want psychological gratification in sexual and criminal activities.
12. Psychopaths tend to try suicide, rarely succeeding.
While not every characteristic applies to every Sociopath or Psychopath, these characteristics do form two patterns of behavior. I do not know about you, but when I read this list I think of two very prominent politicians. Not every point fits, but a surprising number of these traits do fit.
So when you tell me to vote for the Psychopath (Romney) in order to defeat the Sociopath (Obama), I am not interested. While the cliché is that cream rises to the top, there is something else that floats too. I said this in a previous blog post, The Scum Also Rises:
I have felt for years that I could filter out the scum from my milk and everything would be fine. Lately I have come to understand that while I can get most of the scum from the milk, to continue with my analogy I began with, the milk is still poisoned. Do you really want your milk to have unseen, but still present, scum? This is what will inevitably happen if you become a part of the system that God has set us here on the earth to fight.
It would be nice if it was the cream that always rose to the top, but alas, the scum also rises.