For the last several months I have been following the presidential race with great interest. The Republicans are right now are campaigning in preparation for tomorrow’s primary in Michigan, and the big topic being discussed by all the candidates is the economy, especially as it relates to the auto industry. The candidates are sharing all their ideas about how to remedy the situation. One candidate focuses on the need for new job training, implying that the auto industry cannot improve, while another responds with a more positive message that that industry can be revived. Now if you were in the shoes of an auto worker, which candidate would you choose? Probably the one offering you hope that he can save your job. So it might just turn out that the candidate offering people a glorious vision of the future could be the winner. However, in an interview I just watched with two economists from Michigan, the conclusion was clearly made that not only will auto makers not recover lost jobs, but they will continue to lose jobs. This example illustrates the problem of creating false hopes in campaigns and in life. People go for the message that is pleasant to them, but often ignore those who do not present such a positive message even if they are telling the truth. So what can we do as individuals to be more accepting of the truth, even when it is not pleasant? And on the flip side, how can we avoid the temptation of creating false hopes and give people the undiluted truth?
Posted by: Douglas Mehling | January 14, 2008
Creating false hopes
Posted in Main, Perspectives | Tags: false hopes, Michigan primary, presidential campaign
We usually hear what we want to heard be it false or not. Politicians tell us what we want to heard hoping to get our vote.
If truth personifies the nature of the of person speaking it, then we have to assume anything less reflects the character of that person as well. So when I hear people making promises that they can not keep it worries me.
In a way, the candidate wants to encourage us. He/she is telling us, “Yes I agree, we have a lot of problems but I can fix them!” Of course it this where true our problems would have been fixed years ago we would all be living in utopia at the present.
The truth is as you mentioned, very difficult at times But we can never begin to rectify the problem unless we’re willing to admit we have a problem. Alcoholics and drug abusers are often in a state of denial and until they are willing to admit they have an issue, there’s no hope for them getting better. We have to be willing to accept the truth no mater where it lies, no matter how ugly.
On the other hand it is hard to watch someone struggle with any difficult issues in life. We want to please, to comfort, to help them justify, maybe even be their savior and this is where we can get into trouble.
For instance you may say to your pot smoking friend who is wrestling with the guilt of his habit, “Hey man! It’s just a little weed! I mean how often do you smoke anyway, a few times a week, it’s not like you’re smoking it everyday all day. It helps you relax right? So what’s the problem. You’re not hooked, you can quit anytime.”
If we are true friends, if we love that person, we need to be bluntly honest with them. I’ve always felt let down by “friends” when I realize they just wanted to appease me, to give me some hope even if it was false hope. I do not return to such friends the next time I’m in need.
But how do we avoid creating false hope? Maybe we need to pause and reflect before we speak. Try to but our emotional thought processes aside so we can think and speak from a rational/logical point of view. A little prayer for guidance never hurts, but I doubt that we will a politician do that before a debate.
By: jhan on January 20, 2008
at 11:45 am