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"The conflict of two desires continuously tears man – for truth and for comfort – and try as we may we cannot yoke them together, for truth makes us uncomfortable, and comfort insulates us from truth”
- Unknown
This in one of my favorite quotes; it has been hanging in each of my offices for over the last 49 years, and is a constant reminder that transparency in each of our undertakings, while challenging, is key to remaining true to oneself. Considering that a new president just took office in a politically divided country, I thought it might be good time to take a look as to how we absorb data, and formulate a political position.
This passage is the opening of a Mayor’s Message from March of 2022 that dealt with a tendency for some individuals to utilize social media to attack others, be they elected officials, governmental bodies or some aspect of their world that they views as not meeting their expectations. In that message I went on to explain how many of these individuals who spend their time harshly critiquing others do so as a result of not acknowledging their own shortcomings, that while we all err in life, many of us can look in the mirror and as uncomfortable as it is, we can say that we are responsible for the problems we face. There are others who look in that same mirror, and rather than admit their complicity in their own problems, will direct blame at others. For these individuals there is a real conflict between “comfort” and “truth.”
As applied to today, we are now under the leadership of a new President, and we will all hear the word transparency bandied about as members of both parties accuse their opponent for a lack of transparency. While critiquing one another they will promise more “transparency,” more “inclusiveness” if you support our/my view. In some cases that appeal will be correct and will serve a purpose, while in others, it is just a catch phrase used to draw a distinction between one candidate or party and their political opponents. It is, in many respects, easier to criticize your opponent or a governmental body than it is to provide constructive solutions to real problems.
As you work to make decisions as to understanding what political philosophy your choose to support, remember that while there is room for legitimate critiques of candidates, governmental bodies, individuals, or political leaders, be objective in your interpretation of what you read; are there facts that back these statements, do they come from a trusted source, are those issuing those statements being “transparent,” or are they simply the work of individuals seeking “comfort” from the “truth?"
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