False Profits

by Matthew Edward Hayward on Sunday, November 22, 2009

Preserving one's principles amidst political affairs presents a challenging undertaking. It necessitates a profound comprehension of the political mechanism and a reflective understanding of one's own values. Succumbing to political strategies that clash with personal beliefs marks a compromise of integrity. The prevailing sentiment in mainstream discourse suggests a necessity to capitulate for the sake of success. Politics, it is said, is the art of compromise. Yet, this does not imply the concession of values and honor. Drawing on Jefferson's ideal of "Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations – entangling alliances with none,” the same wisdom might be applied to political pundits and party affiliations.

Aligning one's principles with an erratic power structure geared towards manipulation is a trap to avoid. The 'big tent' philosophy might seem attractive if the intent is a pursuit of freedom and independence; however, it often manifests as hollow rhetoric. Our contemporary political landscape is awash with false prophets. From our anti-war President to the voices of Fox News and the Tea Party movement, there is a wealth of seemingly attractive promises, but their genuineness often proves as illusory as fool's gold.

Intentions are commendable, yet we are ultimately appraised by our deeds. Claiming to be a Christian yet failing to embody love and tolerance, or neglecting to strive for one's full potential, is a contradiction in terms. Asserting opposition to certain bills, yet voting for them in defiance of one's stated belief, reveals true support for them. If one perceives the system as flawed yet continues to endorse it by voting for parties or candidates unwilling to champion American values under scrutiny, then it is not the system, but the individual who is compromised.

Discernment in choosing who to support and align with is crucial, for the most formidable adversary is not the one aiming the gun but the trusted friend with insidious intentions. No pact with the devil can ever be justified, in the vain hope that some benefit may emerge. Upon trading your soul, you metamorphose into the adversary. The enemy is pervasive, embodied in the power structure, Republican and Democrat parties, and pundits - many of whom we admire for their views, yet who we allow to dictate our votes rather than urging us to adhere to our principles.

Actions supersede words in their expressive power. If the leaders of this nation desire to make us believers in their rhetoric and the principles of freedom, they must first confront the blemishes in their own records. Stepping aside to allow individuals untouched by the corruption of political strategies and selfish ambitions to ascend could restore liberty. The likelihood of this is slim, however, it lies within our capacity to galvanize true liberty-loving Americans prepared to make personal sacrifices for the right cause. We must tirelessly strive for this from the grassroots level.

Virtue and ethics are glaringly absent from political arenas, replaced by catchy slogans and pandering to the public's desires. This seems to be all it takes for malevolence to reign supreme. Only when citizens turn away from false prophets and propaganda, actively educate themselves, vote with integrity, and even consider running for office, will liberty be truly safeguarded.