I am writing this a couple days before the upcoming primary election. Therefore, this will be published sometime after the election. Though I pray for the future of our country, I must admit I have become increasingly cynical that some of those we choose may not do the right thing. Once in Washington, will the power they now have corrupt? Will they focus on our country's preservation, or self preservation? Will they have the vision to protect future generations, or can they only see their own election future? Will they engage in hyperbole and deceptions, or will they have the courage to speak, as they say when you swear in court, “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God?” From the deceptive rancor we have observed in many of the primary races, I must admit my hope has dwindled. “The ends justify the means” arguments, although not endorsed outloud, are embraced and nurtured by both major parties. This is evidenced by their willingness to cannibalize those within their own party with “half-truth” distortions and sound-bite ad campaigns. This brings us to the crux of the dilemma we face with our political system. How ironic that the process of becoming an elected official, which should require our brightest and most principled candidates, discourages many of them from participating. Sometimes the only candidates willing to face the fiery darts are those who are willing to shoot them. The superior, principled candidate who is not willing to engage in dishonest smear campaigns more times than not will lose. Let’s face it: negative, deceptive campaigning is effective or they wouldn’t do it.
I’ve heard the arguments. To survive in Washington a candidate’s veneer must be able to withstand the fiery darts, and return them. I reject the premise that honest, principled leaders, in order to win, must discard honor and civility in favor of deception. This is not a sign of strength. Today in Washington, deception is easy; truth is where real fortitude is required.
We have all heard the phrase ascribed to George Washington, “I cannot tell a lie.” Ironic, that the Capitol of the United States, the home to so much corruption and lies, should bear the name of a founding father who is considered one of the most principled and honest. Furthermore, it is useful to examine the mind-set of George Washington and the Continental troops at Valley Forge. After months of military defeats, of the 11,000 men who reached Valley Forge in mid December 1777, roughly one third to one half had no shoes, many were without overcoats and blankets, and almost all were dressed in tattered rags. The Army went without supplies for weeks, and epidemics of smallpox and typhus broke out. Men died by the hundreds. Many deserted or chose not to re-enlist, but most resisted the urge of self preservation and remained. How amazing this tattered army of common folk, slaves, and criminals did not disband! Yet, the strong held out for the hope of freedom. Just as those who signed the Declaration of Independence pledged their lives and their fortunes for the dream of freedom, so too did George Washington and the men of the Continental army. They weren’t fighting for the right to employment, a particular wage, housing, education, social security or government health care.
They were fighting for something much more rare and fundamental. It is best described by The Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. That among these are LIFE, LIBERTY and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.
I wonder, does this election process honor the sacrifice of the soldiers of America’s history? Have we lost comparative perspective of what they fought for? We are the beneficiaries of freedom purchased with the ultimate sacrifices of so many brave men and women. I pray our actions are worthy of theirs. We should not be surprised that an electoral process, that often times rewards the most ruthless, deceptive and cunning politicians, populates Washington with politicians that are ruthless, deceptive, and cunning.
I cannot end on such a sour note, so let me convey a true story that should give us all hope. Last week I walked into examine a 5 year-old boy for a kindergarten physical. I would describe this young man as a “boy’s boy” akin to a “man’s man.” Upon walking into the room, he immediately commented with somewhat of a shocked tone in his voice, “Dr. Prescott! You are wearing a pink shirt!” Figuring that this was an opportunity to educate the young lad that only truly secure men would wear a pink shirt, I asked, “Do you know what that means?” Without hesitation he responded, “Yep. It means that you are married!” With discernment like that, I have hope for our future generations. Truth is out there, but we must have the fortitude to find it, and the humility to accept it.
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I am writing this a couple days before the upcoming primary election. Therefore, this will be published sometime after the election. Though I pray for the future of our country, I must admit I have become increasingly cynical that some of those we choose may not do the right thing. Once in Washington, will the power they now have corrupt? Will they focus on our country's preservation, or self preservation? Will they have the vision to protect future generations, or can they only see their own election future? Will they engage in hyperbole and deceptions, or will they have the courage to speak, as they say when you swear in court, “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God?” From the deceptive rancor we have observed in many of the primary races, I must admit my hope has dwindled. “The ends justify the means” arguments, although not endorsed outloud, are embraced and nurtured by both major parties. This is evidenced by their willingness to cannibalize those within their own party with “half-truth” distortions and sound-bite ad campaigns. This brings us to the crux of the dilemma we face with our political system. How ironic that the process of becoming an elected official, which should require our brightest and most principled candidates, discourages many of them from participating. Sometimes the only candidates willing to face the fiery darts are those who are willing to shoot them. The superior, principled candidate who is not willing to engage in dishonest smear campaigns more times than not will lose. Let’s face it: negative, deceptive campaigning is effective or they wouldn’t do it.
I’ve heard the arguments. To survive in Washington a candidate’s veneer must be able to withstand the fiery darts, and return them. I reject the premise that honest, principled leaders, in order to win, must discard honor and civility in favor of deception. This is not a sign of strength. Today in Washington, deception is easy; truth is where real fortitude is required.
We have all heard the phrase ascribed to George Washington, “I cannot tell a lie.” Ironic, that the Capitol of the United States, the home to so much corruption and lies, should bear the name of a founding father who is considered one of the most principled and honest. Furthermore, it is useful to examine the mind-set of George Washington and the Continental troops at Valley Forge. After months of military defeats, of the 11,000 men who reached Valley Forge in mid December 1777, roughly one third to one half had no shoes, many were without overcoats and blankets, and almost all were dressed in tattered rags. The Army went without supplies for weeks, and epidemics of smallpox and typhus broke out. Men died by the hundreds. Many deserted or chose not to re-enlist, but most resisted the urge of self preservation and remained. How amazing this tattered army of common folk, slaves, and criminals did not disband! Yet, the strong held out for the hope of freedom. Just as those who signed the Declaration of Independence pledged their lives and their fortunes for the dream of freedom, so too did George Washington and the men of the Continental army. They weren’t fighting for the right to employment, a particular wage, housing, education, social security or government health care.
They were fighting for something much more rare and fundamental. It is best described by The Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. That among these are LIFE, LIBERTY and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.
I wonder, does this election process honor the sacrifice of the soldiers of America’s history? Have we lost comparative perspective of what they fought for? We are the beneficiaries of freedom purchased with the ultimate sacrifices of so many brave men and women. I pray our actions are worthy of theirs. We should not be surprised that an electoral process, that often times rewards the most ruthless, deceptive and cunning politicians, populates Washington with politicians that are ruthless, deceptive, and cunning.
I cannot end on such a sour note, so let me convey a true story that should give us all hope. Last week I walked into examine a 5 year-old boy for a kindergarten physical. I would describe this young man as a “boy’s boy” akin to a “man’s man.” Upon walking into the room, he immediately commented with somewhat of a shocked tone in his voice, “Dr. Prescott! You are wearing a pink shirt!” Figuring that this was an opportunity to educate the young lad that only truly secure men would wear a pink shirt, I asked, “Do you know what that means?” Without hesitation he responded, “Yep. It means that you are married!” With discernment like that, I have hope for our future generations. Truth is out there, but we must have the fortitude to find it, and the humility to accept it.
