Honesty by A Libertarian Citizen

HONESTY according to the Oxford English Dictionary: Uprightness of disposition and conduct; integrity, truthfulness, straightforwardness: the quality opposed to lying, cheating, or stealing.

If I were to distill into one thought a contributing factor in all problems with today's society, it would be that there is a near complete lack of honesty in our society and country. That being said, how did we evolve to this point?

Many people think TRUTH and HONESTY are one in the same. Even the above definition presumes so. I say not so; at least not anymore. I am unable to decide which group perverted the concepts of truth and honesty first, attorneys or politicians, but it's a sure bet that one or both have had a hand in it.

In the beginning, common people became our country's leaders out of civic duty and because their peers had confidence in their ability to be honest with the people and "do the right thing" with respect to the impact government would have on the population. Many of these pioneering politicians were farmers, business owners and military leaders. These people had a firm hold on the concept of honesty, truth and honor. Self -honor was paramount.

As the United States became a country of laws, more citizens with "supposed" superior knowledge of the concept of laws became "lawmakers". Their job was to make laws and like a factory, they made thousands of laws. These lawmakers were the same professionals teaching and being taught that one can be truthful without being honest; a concept used everyday by government attorneys in the nation's courts, as a tool in dealing with the population.

This separation of truth and honesty was bound to infect the workings of the government (and it has to the point of being terminal). Today, more citizens believe in UFOs than trust that the government is being honest or will "do the right thing". What does this say about our current system of government and it's leaders? Shouldn't a government instill an overwhelming sense of confidence in the population and it's ability to "do the right thing"?

The United States government holds itself up to be an example to the people, a leader. Just as our children learn by the example of their parents, a country's citizens learn by the example of their government and it's leaders.

This "dishonesty by example" has worked it's way into every aspect of our society. Now when faced with a dishonest proposition, most people evaluate the chance of getting caught, not "doing the right thing". When you receive too much change at the store, keep a lost $20 bill or travel 65 mph in a 55 zone, you are being dishonest and have decided that you probably won't get caught. We all have varying degrees of tolerance for dishonesty.

This mentality is not seen as a problem in our society because we are just doing what our leaders have taught us and are passing that legacy on to our kids. It sounds like I blame big government for all of society's ills. I suppose I do in most respects. The government machine is dishonest with us, so we feel justified in being dishonest with it. When in Rome, do as the Roman's, right?

I agree with that strategy. If you have no other choice but to deal with dishonest a government, you cannot be honest with them or you will be taken advantage of. The problem is that we begin to be dishonest with our peers, neighbors and families, too. This pattern of dishonesty as a defense against a dishonest government becomes a way of life. Dishonesty is like a genetic defect, a cancer that is being fueled by the carcinogen of a dishonest government.

The examples of government dishonesty are too numerous to list. If you think for just 60 seconds you can come up with at least a dozen examples of government dishonesty. Then ask yourself how these people came to run YOUR country.

I don't have the answers, but don't have to have the cure to recognize the disease. I do know that federalism and social engineering has been a bust. People need to stop thinking that government will cure the ills of life. Honestly, life is no piece of cake; it's complicated. If you think government can engineer you a happy life, look around. Government is in every aspect of your life now. Are you happier?

The times you remember in this country as being more carefree, happier and safer to raise a family are the times of a smaller and less interfering government. More government regulation hasn't improved my life. Honestly, has it yours?

Stop being dishonest with yourself, demand less government and take responsibility for yourself. Maybe then the pressure we put on government to perform will ease and politicians will feel less inclined to be dishonest; setting a better example and turning back the dishonesty clock.

AGAIN: HONESTY according to the Oxford English Dictionary: Uprightness of disposition and conduct; integrity, truthfulness, straightforwardness: the quality opposed to lying, cheating, or stealing.

Is this your government?

A great Libertarian paper written by a friend of mine, Oliver Juice, Jr

Link to the Libertarian Party web site

The North Carolina chapter of the Libertarian Party web site