WHO DO YOU TRUST???

Trust---such an over used word, still a sentiment frequent in our vernacular, and treasured as an honorable trait, but today almost considered naive, rather victorian perhaps, about as reliable as a weak handshake --- and most especially in our political/ politically correct world.

"Trust me "is often uttered as a joke now, a wink, and an invitation to doubt. Conversely,"Trust no one" may sound too cynical, but we're getting there fast. Donald Sterling, soon  to be the X owner of the L.A. Clippers, could appropriately and shamefully have that engraved on his tombstone. "Poor" man had the naiveté to trust not only his girl friend, but his private phone, and can you believe it, his own recording device--- In so doing, he exposed his core character and utter lack of respect for others, even those from whom he financially profited. Good riddance? Perhaps, but the fact remains that we are quickly becoming a nation of speech, if not thought, police. Political correctness has changed from a polite way to express ourselves, into a closely guarded, well edited, and obligatory manner of communicating---under threat of reputation and career loss---not to mention the possibility of the IRS suddenly taking an interest in your affairs.That actually happened to some, particularly political donors, who were associated with or supported the Tea Party and other conservative organizations, which precipitated the now famous  IRS scandal.

There are few secrets anymore---and maybe that's a good thing in terms of cleansing our public words of bias and outright prejudice, but the erosion of privacy and the freedom to speak our minds,  support causes we believe in, may be a steep price to pay in the long run, as all of us increasingly speak only that which is in harmony with the current trends and party lines---and trust no one, not even our leaders, the supposed bulwarks against the loss of our liberties, to know our true thoughts.

It's hard to trust a president who promised the most transparent administration ever, but who time and again has evaded, passed the buck, and disappointed us with his failure to deliver clarity and answers (Benghazi), refused to enforce accountability, (IRS scandal), and has even misled and misrepresented---"If you like your insurance, you can keep your insurance----". As if only he speaks the truth, he counsels us to dismiss and disbelieve anyone or who oppose him---i.e., Republicans, especially the Tea Party, Fox news, even the Supreme court. Note that none of the Supreme justices  have appeared at the State of the Union addresses since  they were publicly reprimanded in front of the congress by Obama for their vote on Citizens United. Note also that Harry Reid has successfully shut down any possible resistance to future nominations by Obama, by enacting a law against filibustering. And while you're at it, know that as this blog is going to press, there is a special committee once again going after the truth of what happened with the Benghazi attack---why a special committee? And why now, again?  Because  the White House stonewalled and misled congress on this issue, and because a memo has now surfaced which proves the hiding of truth was deliberate. Not important? Only if you trust the government to do the right thing----

We could forgive an occasional betrayal of our trust, nobody's perfect, and there is such a thing as classified security secrets---  but it would seem that presidents of the United States are supposed to encourage trust in the honorability of our system, not strict loyalty to their own agendas. Further they are expected to be honest, above deceit, and divisiveness. Obama's polls show a public who no longer sees those qualities--- but rather that it's all  about politics and power, with no regard for laws already on the books to prevent  abuse. There is a constant pattern here, and it reeks of political pay offs, paybacks, manipulation,  election engineering----and perhaps even complicity and coercion between our government and other power brokers who seek to work against the constitution and continued existence of this country as exceptional, strong, and leader of the free world. The disingenuousness is painfully clear, but the inference that somehow we're so easily duped is insulting and frightening. We're beginning to get that we're being played to the tune of total conformity ---and worse, not allowed to complain about it. To do so is to be called a racist, unpatriotic, obstructive, mean spirited,  a denier, a hater, etc., etc.

The muffling of free speech does not conquer a free society with a gag order, but with a slow chipping away, a marginalization of those who dare to speak their minds, a media who is more biased than objective, and a public who doesn't see the muzzle coming until it's safely in place over their mouths and their lives. Some of this is happening now, as we see people who lose their jobs or never get hired because of their personal beliefs--- agree with them or not, they are victims of the current policing of acceptable speech. And no one is safe from the same fate, as the whims and opinions of public favor blow this way and that. Not important? Not unless you're sure you will always be on the
"right"side of the issue. Even President Obama wasn't, until recently, when he declared he had "evolved"regarding gay marriage---just in the nick of time for re-election.

A few examples of freedom of speech turned inside out----not too long ago, the Wall Street Journal printed an article written by Adam Weinstein, a global warming advocate, who had the outrageous temerity to suggest that "deniers" of global warming should be arrested! Not as stunning, but almost as aggressive, the U.S. government is on record for trying to remove right wing talk shows, under an old law called "The Fairness Act", supposedly created to make sure we hear a "proper balance" of opinions on the airwaves---wonder if they've thought of using the same standards on TV, the movies, and our newspapers. Interesting sidelight is that several left wing shows have attempted to attract radio audiences, but failed miserably--the market place at work, which is one measure of fairness, and could be part of the reason so many newspapers and TV shows are failing as well.  And in a stark display of academic freedom gone rogue, several well known and highly respected American universities and colleges, previously known as bastions of independent thinking, have recently dis-invited speakers from their graduation ceremonies, because the speakers' views differed from those of the students (and those who have supposedly taught them to be independent and knowledge seeking thinkers?)

Society has always naturally influenced the way we air our opinions, but the ramifications are getting beyond the concept of a free and open society. The first amendment is under attack, and unless we recognize it for what it is, the first nail in the coffin of tyranny, we risk losing everything---even our right to be ignorant and wrong. Because with that right comes the freedom to speak out against those who would seek to quiet any and all who would differ,
or threaten their cause. Bias, prejudice, and hatred of those who are different, may be ugly and undesirable in an enlightened society, ---but so is the  complete outcasting and intolerance of those whose hearts will not be changed by laws and punishment.

Who to trust in the government?? I asked that question recently at a small gathering of mixed political stripes and ideologies----the answer came back unanimously: Ourselves, our better, fair, more aware selves, we the people, the government of us.  Where to find the truth? It is to be found by educating ourselves, by reading and listening to both sides of the issues, studying history, by seeking balance, and constitutional guidance, and by electing representatives who will stay true to our basic values and their promises. Shorter term limits might help them to do this---and a public who will no longer tolerate suppression of free speech and other rights, done in the name of political correctness. Calling your congressman/woman to let them know you are here and watching them, and not being afraid to speak your views in a civil, respectful and calm manner. It is our precious right, and our duty to help steer the dialogue, and to prevent only the loudest voices to prevail.

It never fails to amaze how intolerant some who passionately preach tolerance can be. Beware of those who tell you how or what to think, who negatively label others with opposing views, and who proclaim they want only what's best for everybody, at the expense of a few. Police states start with a kind of disguised intolerance, setting themselves up as caring protectors and arbitrators of right and wrong, and then slowly, emerge as administers of punishment---and finally, comes the hammer--- censorship, silence, and complete acquiescence to social trends, and far worse,--- the state. Then, we no longer have to trust---simply obey.