Does It?

Does It?

“It always comes down to this. I know it does because he makes the rules. If he didn’t, what chance would he have? You see, finding your way out of a conundrum, you have to either cheat them, or they cheat you, as I see it.

Watching someone you’ve known for a long time, seeing them slip, sometimes fall, time and time again, knowing there is nothing you can do is… well there’s nothing worse. Let’s leave it at that. I should explain the conundrum, more a dichotomy of choices I suppose.

What’s in a name, title? Everything. When your name is recognized by many of the citizens of the country, it becomes more than a moniker on a desk, it becomes the target of suspicion and distrust if you happen to be of an opposite political persuasion. 

Playing by the rules is often touted as being the reward of having developed a civilization that incorporates, and therefore cares, for those under its purview. To fulfill those duties, leaders are elected, in theory, to distribute equitable justice to those, subject to the rules and regulations, they have agreed to observe. When a rule or law is enacted, it implies a measure of acceptance that will not be equitable for all, as that is an impossibility given the diversity of people and customs. It therefore becomes an individuals responsibility to either accept, or reject a dictate, and the consequences for, or for not doing so. It was in this realm of acceptance, and therefore, conformity to the law, just and unjust, that he found conflict.

He is himself, in the position of having to forfeit his ability to impact those he had promised to listen to, and support, with action. His response to my question; what will you do? What can you do, was his attempt to analyze and process his inability to distinguish reality from truth. You see, most people don’t know what they believe until you tell them.”

“I am not proud of my actions, but I’m not apologetic either. I did what I did to propel the advancement of my supporters, despite the necessity of lying to them. I felt it necessary to balance the obligation I have with them, with the ethical and moral stance that would have prevented me from fulfilling my duties as I see them and upholding my character. Cheating yourself is more difficult than you would believe. Abandoning a part of me, a reputation based on my word, and my ability to provide solutions for the problems brought to me, was the most difficult of choices.

I have often battled the duplicity that lives within me. The war that dictates one must emerge victorious or be condemned to facilitate the wishes of the victor. To give a part of oneself to guarantee the success of the many, validates my reasoning and subsequent actions. 

I do not believe lying contributes anything to an endeavor, but confusion and mistrust.  I also believe that partial truths, although devious by nature, allow one to participate in the game by adhering to some of the rules, the rules that further the agenda’s goals. Those rules are essential to accomplishing the prescribed end. The end, in some cases I would argue, can justify the means.  However the means, when weighed against benefit or loss, and the benefit proves, or is believed too, that the value of the justification is reflected in the progress of those who chose you to represent their interest.

Being elected to any position, is having the honor of trust placed upon you. Trust that you will determine what best represents the will of those, who bestowed the honor upon you. The difficulty lies in the fact that you are responsible for all the people you represent, not simply those that propelled you to your present position. Therefore the entirety of your response must represent what is best for everyone affected, even those who did not believe you had their best interests in mind, when making decisions regarding their welfare. 

Exposing a rivals emotional, social, or sexual exploits has become the means to distract those who may entertain the notion, that your opponent is better suited to represent them, than you are. Character assassination, although sometimes effective, has nothing to do with the ability of a representative to plead your case. It simply distracts from the content of the message. We tend to forget; we are hiring someone to represent our interests. The sheen of his or her shoes, the style of clothing, their personal life, the amount of make-up, or lack of it, should have nothing to do with a choice, unless you are hoping to be elected to the latest morality squad, concocted to dismiss the realities of life, and replace them with conjecture and innuendo. Remember, as it is said, the greatest hoax the devil ever committed, was convincing people he didn’t exist.

I would be the first to admit I’ve made mistakes, both ethically and morally. But my shortcomings as a human being, do not, and have not, interfered with my judgement when decisions about the realities in people’s lives are concerned. Judge not, lest you be judged, a reminder to those who believe popularity, appearance, gender, education, experience, all are no longer relevant in providing insight into the lives of those who speak for you.

Fear and optimism are on the fulcrum of social intimidation which lends itself to the distortion of truth, and therefore reality. Proposing a vision, and having other’s believe it, is essential in swaying decisions that are made on an emotional level, from those that should be considered on a factual stage. The actors must convince you, that what they say, has more authority than what may be achievable. We are counting on the facts, as does the magician, that those we attempt to persuade, can, and will, be distracted from the realities of choice, to those of wishes. The old adage, A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, implies the opposite of what political rhetoric promises. Shoot for the moon, would be a more appropriate vision to inject into those you wish to persuade.

I, if I wish my vision to be accepted, must overcome the prejudices inherent in all of us. Whether it be sexual orientation, religion, or the morality it projects, and diversity and acceptance of the prescription demanded by the Constitution that, All people are created equal.

One thing we are all responsible for, is ultimately making our own decisions. Trusting oneself involves a disciplined examination of the facts, and the ability to decipher truth from fiction.”

“I’ve spent hours debating him about the relative importance of what one projects and how it is perceived. We disagree on many of the elements necessary to be unbiased and devoted solely to the advancement of those represented. We however have come to a truce, and the acceptance that there are ethical and moral issues that dictate our responses, acknowledgement of what is suggested, and what is accomplished, may result from two differing choices, depending upon the one uttering the prognostications. They may both be right, and wrong, depending on how their promises are received.

When he came out and expressed his views, hiding nothing, dismissing nothing, he opened himself up to the reality of the human condition, but also asked those who listened, to hear. I have learned by association, that to be true to yourself, no matter the cost, it is essential if you are to be true to others. I don’t know if I had to choose between what is best for me, and what is best for others, that I would choose correctly. I am the result of generations of moral infusion and personal survival. Giving myself to a cause that differs from those values would be difficult if not impossible, for me. I function on a subjective level tainted by personal experience and find looking at both sides beyond my ability.

I believe he has reached his tipping point and has decided that obligation must follow in the footsteps of promises made, or there is no hope that a society will survive, can survive.

You’re not quitting then?”

“What do you think? I am going to present the facts, not conjured notions of what people want to hear. I have been surprised by their ability to deceive themselves even when it works against their interests. I can no longer absolve them by further lies, from at least hearing the truth, the facts. If they choose to manipulate the facts to suit their needs, they are abandoning the principles of democracy, which advocates for the acceptance of ideals, not the destruction of them.”

“It’s yours to lose!”

“No! It’s ours to lose.”