I would like to think that honesty honor and intelligence would always win any contest with its opposite. Would you too?

Honesty?  Honor?  Intelligence?  That's all old-school.  What people want these days is to be lied to.  They want to hear dirt (gossip, scandal).  They want someone stupid; someone who talks to them at their level.

People want to feel good.  Sometimes the truth hurts.  Lies, on the other hand, feel good (being spoken).  Lies are sweet, like candy to the ear, that's why people eat them up.  It's only when they sour the stomach that they complain.

People like people who are famous.  In fact, we idolize them.  Even if that person is a fool, we will eulogize their words ... just because they have prestige.  A famous person may be a complete cad, but we deem them as honorable ... and even try to emulate them.  HOw much honor odes an athlete who beats up women have?  How much honor does a movie star who does drugs have? 

Intelligence only works with the intelligent.  The dumb don't like intelligence.  It's too far above them to comprehend.  The masses today have given up on intelligence as it requires too much effort to obtain.  Therefore they can no longer tell the difference between intelligence and stupidity.

Being sneaky, dishonorable, lying... this is what people want these days.   They worship it (look at reality tv shows).  They crave it.   They believe that it's a natural way of life.