Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche had this to say:
“People don’t want to hear the
truth because
they don’t want their illusions destroyed.”
Slowly we build our understanding of the world around us.
Painstakingly we question things we don’t get at first; later, sometimes much
later, we gain a logical explanation of why some facts fit together and why
others do not. In this patch-work manner we gain insight and understanding. We
test some of these ‘truths’ from time to time and gain confidence that they are
in fact true.
Like Nietzsche’s warning, however, we blind ourselves to the
truth unwittingly – mainly because it is hard to face the chance that we are,
in fact, wrong. We like being right. We don’t like being wrong.
Hopefully we test our understanding with discipline to
ensure we don’t get caught swallowing a false premise as truth. We use those
premises to build up new ‘truths’. If the one is wrong the latter may be also.
Such is the peril of expansive thinking.
Former Vice President Al Gore has said:
“The United States
Permission from the corporate lobbies and
other special interests
That control their campaign finances.”
True or not? Is Gore’s statement accurate? In the current political climate most
Americans believe it is true. If it is true, how many illusions are being
destroyed every day? How much more will the American public accept of this
behavior before they do something about it?
First, however, they need to determine if the statement is
true. Thinking it is so doesn't make it so. But how do you prove it?
Campaign finance reform attempted to put a stop to this worry but the effort
was greatly flawed and only went partway toward the solution. The result is a
compounding of the problem and now open financing of campaigns makes it easy
for elected representatives to ‘sell’ their support to any and all with a check
book. Apparently the amount of the ‘contribution’ doesn't matter any more. Just
the flow of dollars!
The National Rifle Association will help a supportive
candidate. Non supportive candidates get active campaigns designed against them
funded by the NRA and their supporters. Same is true of the National Petroleum
Producers Association. Fracking, tar sand oil extractions, off-shore oil
drilling, energy exploration in protected national forests and nature preserves
are all activities the association members want to fully pursue. They say it is
to supply energy to our nation. Detractors accuse them of despoiling the public
and its landscape for higher earnings for their corporate owners. Which is true? We all might be surprised.
Meanwhile a healthy doubt should be allowed to exist while important policy
matters are under consideration.
Gun violence. Massive oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico and
off shore along Florida , South
Carolina , California , Alaska – you name the
location, there have been spills there. Have they been cleaned up entirely? Is
it possible to clean up the spills completely? If not, how much filth and
spoiled eco-system do we put up with in the name of energy? And corporate
profits?
I had a person sling an opinion at me the other day about
the IRS targeting the Tea Party. He is a member of a local Tea Party
organization. He feels President Obama is directly responsible for and has his
finger on targeting political detractors.
My response to him? Just this: the IRS is a machination of Congress,
always has been, apparently always will be. The Executive branch has limited
power regarding the IRS by congressional design. There are more politicians in
Congress than in the White House. Hence, who do you think is behind this
inexcusable behavior of the IRS?
I think it is Republicans. They get two good things: first,
they get to try and smear the President for the problem; and second, they get a
chance to destroy the Tea Party, a rump group within the party that is killing
the party’s credibility with the larger American public.
I also stated to this fellow that the nation faces enormous
problems that can all be addressed logically and should be attended to now.
Each party is to blame for all of the problems. Blame is not the goal we should
be aiming for. Rather, we should be collaborating fully to solve our common
problems. Everyone shares in the credit for fixing these problems. Or else
everyone shares in the blame for them!
No middle ground. Saying it is so doesn't make it so!
The IRS has a problem. Has had a huge credibility problem
for decades. This is nothing new. Rogue staffers and political infiltrators
have had field days in the past under all forms of congressional and executive
political power. This is not a new phenomenon. Just a sad truth. No illusions
here!
When will we – the American People – finally get the message
and take power in their hand to vote out the gamers and elect in responsible
adults who fully support the USA ?
I’ve been waiting a long time for this to happen. Will it ever in my lifetime?
Saying it is so doesn't make it so! Perhaps that is our new mantra until action blossoms?
May 17, 2013
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