By Paul Waldmiller
Did you know that according to a study that was published by the Journal of Basic and Applied Psychology, Americans lie on average of one-hundred times per day? It seems American culture has a pervasive problem with telling truth.
In this week’s column, I am sharing the seemingly uncontrollable issue of lying. I recently attended a local town hall meeting where I confronted a Florida State Assemblyman (who promised me some months previously to facilitate phone calls to help me gain justice). At the end of his explanation for not doing what he stated he would do, I learned that he had lied by not performing any of the acts he had promised me.
My question to not only my fellow Floridan’s but all Americans is this: Why do we continue to vote for politicians who end up betraying us/breaking their campaign promises? Why is there no immediate consequence or accountability for lying politicians? Please make note that I am not parsing or choosing to pick on any specific political party here. Personally, I don’t see one political party better at truth-telling than any other.
I would hope that all good Americans can plainly see that the problem of lying politicians is not the root issue here, that lying is endemic in our local, state and federal government as well as in our courts.
Here are several suggestions to bring our once great nation, including its politicians, back to telling the truth:
1) When you feel pressured to lie, choose to tell the truth.
2) If you feel you need to lie to get where you want to be in life, remain silent.
3) Remind yourself of the possible negative consequences for being caught in a telling a lie.
If you practice these attributes, you will soon have a strong conviction to hold liars like politicians to account.