Lies and Lies and then More Lies

In politics, truth often falls victim to ambition and power.

While it's widely accepted that everyone has lied at some point, there's a significant difference between everyday fibs and the deliberate, harmful lies often told by those in power.

I get the fact that politicians, among others, lie. Kids lie. Adults lie. We all lie or have lied at some point in our lives (except the man I dated briefly who said he never lied and that’s a lie for sure). But, there are lies and then there are lies. Some lies are acceptable in certain circumstances (one could write an entire treatise about this); some lies are meant to enable another person to feel better and so are “acceptable” stretches of truth. And, there are many occasions in which we lie to ourselves, fail to see the truth in our lives, our relationships, our friendships, our workplace…

But, there are many handfuls of totally, unequivocally, unacceptable lies. And, in politics, there are lies that are at once wrong and wrong-headed. In a recent article that appears in WaPo, three “small” lies told by JD Vance about Kamala Harris were identified. 

Take this example from the article: Vance said Harris “wanted to take away your gas stoves.” First, she didn’t say that. Second, why would one even focus on that, given the gravity of the issues that confront our nation? Third, there is plenty of debate about the safety of gas stoves and about which kinds of stoves provide optimal cooking outcomes. Is this a race about recipes?

Now, to be clear, it isn’t alright for politicians seeking or in political office at any level to lie about serious matters, including the state of our economy or the rights of citizens or the treatment (mistreatment) of immigrants, women, children (among others). It isn’t alright to lie about our physical safety or lack thereof, the presence or likelihood of war or the need to provide physical and mental support for those who are struggling, injured and ill. It isn’t alright to lie about other people to audiences that may actually believe the words spoken. It isn’t alright to claim that an election was stolen when it wasn’t. Plain and simple, it isn’t alright.

And, if one can lie about little things, sometimes those lies turn into bigger lies and sometimes lies get mistaken for truth. I thought better of JD Vance after reading his book, Hillbilly Elegy. I certainly know his election partner has lied on far too many occasions. And, by the by, if you lie, retract it and apologize for your error; that’s what Tim Walz did.

I worry for our children. If they see liars in positions of power, they get this message: it is OK to lie. If these high and mighty folks can lie, children will think that they can lie too. Yikes. Not good at all. Bad role modeling. Sort of like Vance’s saying “shut up” to his child.

In the above collage, there is a fork. There are many expressions about forks and many ways in which the word “fork” can be used. Fork it over. Use your folk. Fork over the money. But, there is one use of the fork that seems particularly apt in the context of lying and lies: stick a fork in it. That means something is done, ruined, finished. Apparently, the phrase comes from barbecuing or cooking, as in put a fork into what is being cooked to see if it is done. Back to gas stoves ironically.

To my way of thinking, Vance’s lies are a sign that he is done and done-for; he’s cooked and finished. He’s lost our respect. And, that is the biggest loss for someone who seeks to lead. At a minimum, we need to respect our leaders. You can stick a fork in that statement to evidence its truth.