Yes, political speech needs to be truthful to be helpful

A significant societal problem exists when excellence does not exist in the world.

Excellence, which includes telling the truth, should be present in business and politics. On billion-dollar product development efforts, my work as a consultant on innovation, speed, and excellence caused successes (and prevented disasters) only because I told truths, even when unpopular.

Yet the July 1 Herald article “Auditor: Careful what you say about rivals in voter pamphlet,” has one candidate, Jeff Sax, stating: “Quite frankly, political speech doesn’t have to be truthful.”

Quite a contrast to the work of Rep. John Lovick, who was named Honorary Firefighter of the Year by the State Council of Firefighters for his efforts to bring about the passage of the legislation: “Allowing industrial insurance coverage for post-traumatic stress disorders of law enforcement and firefighters.” Which corrected an unfair situation affecting citizens (and their families) of all political affiliations who serve (and have served) the public. Lovick’s “political speech” at all times had to be “fully truthful” to gather bipartisan support to pass that excellent piece of legislation.

Our society should elect only political candidates who strive for excellence that they (and we) can all be proud of when, by our votes, we empower them to enact, improve, and remove laws.

To change the world for the better requires being helpful. Being untruthful is not helpful.

“We hold these truths…..” and American Independence are helpful.

Continued British tyranny was not.

Candidates “marketing” themselves should state their willingness to enact bipartisan legislation that works excellently for all citizens.

Ken Fowler

Mill Creek

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