Speaking Up

While sorting through many belongings and papers, I have come across a lot of "stuff" from our family's history.  Some of it has been challenging, remembering tough situations that we have survived.  Some of it has been impelling, re-sparking my conviction of true principles.

A letter I wrote to the editor is a combination of both.  I wrote it in 2003 after attending township meetings where I watched politics at work.  I couldn't take the dishonesty and felt a need to speak up.  Those township meetings were the beginning of some eye-opening events where I learned many things, but especially that things are not always as they are portrayed.  Since then, I have kept my eyes open to the bigger picture surrounding each circumstance.  You might say I am paying more attention "to that man behind the curtain."

I share part of that letter here:

From my teenage years, I remember Billy Joel singing a song titled “Honesty.” I can still hear the words..."Honesty is hardly ever heard, but mostly what I need from you."

Being raised in a community where honesty was valued and practiced, I was saddened that anyone would feel they “hardly ever heard” honesty.  I couldn’t imagine such a world.

As I have done business with some members of [the] community and watched the political arena, I no longer need to imagine a dishonest world, because it is reality.  Though money and power seem to be controlling forces, they don’t need to be, and we shouldn’t allow it.  Deceit and greed create confusion.

Unethical politicians will do ANYTHING to win, even breaking the law through intimidation, extortion, blackmail and racketeering (commonly referred to as “status quo”).  This behavior is wrong no matter to what political party one belongs.  The public shouldn’t dismiss this kind of behavior with “That’s politics!” and law enforcement officials and those in law-related fields should know better.

It gives a bad name to anyone who wants to make a difference in the political process.

People deserve truth from public officials and those who back them financially.  Since perception isn’t necessarily reality, we need to elect those who have respect for truth and won’t disguise it just to win elections.

Let’s not forget the lessons of September 11, 2001:  There are those who want to destroy our way of life—many who work within our established system of government.  Our families and freedoms are important and both are worth fighting to protect.  The daily choices we each make can help preserve or prevent our freedom.

Make sure you vote, and be careful for whom you vote because, good or bad, we all have to live with the consequences!  We want to leave a better society for our children—not one filled with corruption or confusion where honesty is “hardly ever heard.” 

We need to return to good principles.  We need to start with honesty.  It is essential to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” 

I have learned there is value in speaking up, not only for ourselves but for others.  Life is too precious to allow others control over our every move.  Freedom to choose for ourselves is what this country is built upon.  I believe it is also part of our purpose in life.  (Interesting to note that the more laws that are made, the less free we become.)

It is important to be aware of what is happening in the world around us.  However, when news and political processes are followed too closely, it is easy to lose hope.  Changing communities and focus has restored hope to my life.  I feel gratitude knowing that there are many good people left in the world, and there is much good still happening.  You have to look for it.  If you seek it, you will find it.