To the editor:

Telling the truth! There is only one reason to lie: to make others act as they would not if they knew the truth. While most of us try to do the right thing, we can only act right when we know the truth. Deceit robs us of free choice. Democracy relies upon the judgment of its citizens, but, without trust, how can we choose? Deceit is the greatest of social evils and the greatest sin. It takes away our freedom. (See Mike Hoeflich’s column in the Sept. 17 Journal-World.) Every social tragedy comes wrapped in lies.

Today’s crisis is truth. Remember the old commercial, “When E.F. Hutton talks, people listen”? The message was about authority and trust, a reference particularly ironic today. We need go no further back than our last two presidents. Both lied to us. It makes no difference that President Clinton lied about personal affairs, while President Bush lied about foreign affairs; each was dishonest, each intentionally misled us.

Why is the fable of George Washington and the cherry tree so important? He was our first president, our greatest leader. The story is about trusting those who lead us. In a “60 Minutes” interview last Sunday, Justice Antonin Scalia raised his right hand and asked his interviewer if she couldn’t trust him, who could she trust? The question is not so easily answered.

If nothing else can be accomplished in the upcoming election, let us work to restore trust. Vote for those who tell you the truth.

William Skepnek,
Lawrence