The history of our race, and each individual's experience, are sown thick with evidence that a truth is not hard to kill and that a lie told well is immortal.  ~  Mark Twain

Earlier, in the course of reading some other material as I was preparing to gear up the inner writing circuits, I came across the above quote by Mark Twain. It rather subtly lifted itself off the page and kind of adhered amidst other wandering thoughts. I've learned my own quirks over six decades of life and experience tells me that whenever something settles into my consciousness, or some inexplicable voice from within chatters at me, I'm supposed to pay attention. I'm not a reactionary thinker, but more one of those 'delayed reaction' types. I have second thoughts about everything and will ponder a premise from a plethora of directions. It's that unsettling trait of which insomniacs are made.

It seems all one hears these days are laments; laments of all the negativity, the sensationalized attacks, outright lies, and permeating corruption in all areas of our lives. Now, two weeks away from the culmination of twenty months of political rhetoric and untold millions of dollars spent, we are hearing of possible fraud again looming in the inner chambers of voting machines, some states admitting they may not be adequately prepared to deal with record turnout, and deception running rampant in the voter registration process. Has it all been for naught?  

We're bombarded with the anguish of the middle class as jobs and financial security, whole lives, seem to be dangling over a precipice. We watch in shock as a government scrambles to bail out the huge corporations and banks that gambled freely with money not theirs to risk. And, that these institutions were allowed to so by that same government with a lifting of regulations and oversight. Insult was added to injury when we realized the 'rescue' was going to be paid for the same way the disaster was created; with our, the victims, money. It seems like we are the only ones who don't actually get to roll the dice!

 We watch with disgust as politician after politician is exposed for behavior and values not worthy of one elected to represent or lead us. We hear of the horrors of healthcare and the plight of the poor, the rape of the resources and the dire consequences of runaway national debt. We're made aware of the erosion of education and the implosion of the American dream. Too, the powers that be know you've all been pummeled with the ever-running breaking news banners of the media, the in-depth analysis of the analysts, and yes, the verbose opinions of a lot better columnists than me.  

So what does all of this have to do with a simple statement uttered long ago by a since-passed philosopher and writer taking residence in my brain? Simple – everything I've just mentioned and all other evils you can think of. It came to me almost as an epiphany. Notice the reference to 'truth' in that quote. Notice, also, the reference to 'individual'. I asked myself, what is the synonymous finite of an infinite concept - truth? I thought of one answer immediately; honesty; the loss of a simple thing like honesty in thinking and behavior. Whether it be with ourselves, our loved ones and friends, or the basic innate principles of an entire culture, there is a ripple in the pond effect that stems from that loss. It actually becomes an immortal lie and literally changes the course of history. No one is guilt free and that is, for me, a profound revelation. For what is a family, a community, a government, a nation, or a world but the sum total of its parts?

Remember the wooden puppet Pinocchio? What a great concept that little story was for kids. Every time Pinocchio told a lie, his nose grew. Why, if that were really the case, we'd all be lined up for a nose job by the sixth grade! Think about it the next time you tell your child or grandchild to answer the phone and tell someone you're in the shower if you don't feel like talking. Think about it the next time you're considering calling in sick when you aren't, or taking that pencil from the supply closet. Think about it when the bagger at the supermarket accidentally puts the apple pie belonging to the next person in line in your cloth carry bag.  

On a larger scale, think about it when you make that impulse buy on a credit card when you know you can't really fit it in next month's budget. Think about the time you got angry with a teacher because they gave your kid a bad grade, or the time you did their homework for them, or didn't enforce TV curfews Think about whether you complained or not when the stock market was at the height of the 'party' and you were benefiting. Think about whether you took the time to check on the voting record of your district's congressman. Think about those secret times you judged someone based on religion or race, or even gossip! And, think about it real hard before you vote on November 4th. Maybe things do 'trickle up' after all.

And an aside . . .

I do want to thank everyone for the kind and encouraging comments placed on many of my columns here. I do have a lighter side, I promise you. :) I just think this election period and the state of our nation and the world is so crucial, I owe it to myself and my fellows to speak up. Hopefully, as honestly as I can. I intend no disrespect to anyone and offer only thoughts to be considered.          

Susan Haley, Author
RAINY DAY PEOPLE – A Novel
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