Freedom Friday 03.20.09

Welcome to another edition of Freedom Friday!

Today we will discuss the third principle:

I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.

I think one of the greatest problems in our society today is that we no longer trust each other. Why have we lost that trust? Because we aren't honest with ourselves and with each other.

We can point to Bernie Madoff as a prime example of greed and dishonesty in business. We can voice outrage at the lies of Senator Chris Dodd . Yes, there are scores of examples of dishonesty in business and public life.

But let me ask you this: What about us - you and me?

When did we cease to value honesty in people? When did we start to reward those who tell us what we want to hear whether or not it's the truth? When did we decide that if you were smart enough or important enough then it didn't matter if you were honest? Why do we continue to elect to political office men and women who don't make honesty a priority? We continue to vote for the ones that promise us stuff we like, for the most eloquent speakers, the most personable individuals, the ones with the most money that can buy the most entertaining commercials.

How can we expect our leaders to live by principles that we ourselves don't value?

When the phone rings and it's someone you'd rather not talk to, do you tell your kids (or whoever answered the phone) to tell the person you're not home? Do you fudge your deductions on your tax return because you know most likely no one will ever know? Do you tell "white lies" to avoid hurting someone's feelings? Ouch. That's the one I have trouble with.

"No, dear, that shirt doesn't make you look fat."

"No, honey, I can't eat at school with you today because I have an 'appointment'."

"I really like your new haircut."

Let's agree to challenge ourselves to be more honest each day. We won't be perfect, but it's a start. And then let's agree to expect honesty from each other and then let's expect it from our leaders- local and national.

“I hope that I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider to be the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” - George Washington

"A psalm of David. Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. " Psalms 15:1-5 (NIV)


One last thing: My hubby is bummed that these Friday posts don't get many comments. He's afraid that I've alienated all my readers--actually, he thinks you may all be closet socialists. Could you leave me a comment just to let us know you're out there and that I haven't run you off...yet?