WHY?

 

The universal question of man: WHY?

 

Why do we ask, why? It’s our curse and our blessing. We are curious by nature, and the act of questioning never leaves us. Ever marvel at the curiosity of a two-year-old who always asks, “Why?”, “What’s that?” or “How come?” Statistically, the questions of a two-year-old outnumber the word, “No!” A two-year-old's search for knowledge is insatiable, and so should ours be. The learning, the grasping, the need to know, the constant wonder, the ever-present need to see how far we can take it before it breaks, the need to tear it apart to find out how it works, then put it back together again. These actions are the hallmark of science and mathematics.

‘Mathematics’ being the ultimate truth.

So we clamor for answers to, “Why.” Why questions are those that require answers for something we don’t understand. When a plethora of these ‘why’ questions avalanche upon us, it raises the idea of something being wrong, incorrect, or just not quite right. In this instance, ‘why’ questions lead us to uncover motives and reasons for what has gone wrong or right. Those who avoid ‘why’ questions usually don’t want the truth known. Those who deign to answer, “Don’t ask,” or “Because I said so,” are responding out of convenience. Convenient or not, that kind of response usually means there is an answer, but they won’t give it.

Watch the look on the face of a two-year-old when that kind of response is given. It’s priceless!

Adults are not two-year-old children. We understand the nuance behind the evasion or dodge when asking why and not getting an answer, or at least one that makes sense. We resist when told not to ask or not to look behind the curtain. We chafe when answers are not given. The assumption being we don’t know what we’re asking; therefore, explanations are not required.

Nonsense!

Not to answer is a way of controlling a narrative. It’s a way of having power over others viewed lesser in intelligence or to hide knowledge for a host of reasons. Willful ignorance is a trick used by liars to control wrongdoing and hide deception or despicable behavior. Cognitive Dissonance is in full effect when we decide not to ask ‘why’ questions. For more information on this concept, please reference the link below:

Cognitive Dissonance explained

Wikipedia: Cognitive Dissonance 

So let the why questions begin.

I don’t think I can write anything that most of us haven’t felt, read, or seen already regarding the election results or lack thereof. We are faced with many questions, such as, was it the voting machines, the inability to certify votes, the increase in irregular votes to population, and the widespread number of deceased who voted? Was it any of this or that which caused the reason for the alleged election and/or voter fraud? Apparently, this election is rife with ‘why’ questions. Elections should be conducted on the square so that the winner is fairly awarded. I have written before regarding lawmakers’ imperfections (see my post titled “Honest Lawmakers Needed”), and these two candidates are no different. Each one has his faults, one more so than the other. If we chose to elect a flawed and corrupt candidate, well…we only have ourselves to blame. We have checks and balances written into our democratic government system - so what’s the big deal?

Well, not so fast...

Manipulation works best when we are vulnerable. We lose faith in our democratic process when a cloud of deception hangs over it. The idea of stealing and committing election fraud makes us think our votes are meaningless, taking away our XV Amendment right to vote. The most important right we have is the right to vote! This sentiment is echoed by President John F. Kennedy in his book Profiles in Courage. As stated earlier, the right to vote should be conducted on the square if we are to believe in the process. We want to know, truly know, that our voices were heard, and the nation we want for the next four years was fairly decided. Or at least as ‘fair’ as it can be.

Will we ever trust our news organizations or press ever again?

The moment we no longer have a free press, anything can happen. What makes it possible for a totalitarian or any other dictatorship to rule is that people are not informed; how can you have an opinion if you are not informed? If everybody always lies to you, the consequence is not that you believe the lies, but rather that nobody believes anything any longer. This is because lies, by their very nature, have to be changed, and a lying government has constantly to rewrite its own history. On the receiving end you get not only one lie — a lie which you could go on for the rest of your days — but you get a great number of lies, depending on how the political wind blows. And a people that no longer can believe anything cannot make up its mind. It is deprived not only of its capacity to act but also of its capacity to think and to judge. And with such a people you can then do what you please.  ~ Hannah Arendt on the subject of freedom of the press, interview with Roger Errera 1974.

Thus far, individuals within our government or media outlets (social and otherwise) have manipulated information to sway our beliefs. The fact that they are not embarrassed by their actions is alarming. The fact that officials have successfully orchestrated an alleged election travesty and fostered behavioral discord is shameful.  

We have questions, yes we do. Too many to name with answers that may never come. One thing I am sure of is that without answers, we are slow to heal. Without a moral compass, we cannot steer our nation in the right direction toward preserving our freedoms. Without this, we question our existence and our God-given right for Rights.  

I, for one, will continue to ask ‘why’ questions. To do otherwise is to dismiss my curious nature and deprive me of the need to know. One + One will always equal Two. Math is ‘truth,’ and we need that now more than ever. 

~ DaMarie

Photo Courtesy of Jon Tyson

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