Nancy Sarowski: In search of the truth

June 06, 2013

A person is innocent until proven guilty. Why do we say that?

Our legal system assumes that all persons know the difference between right and wrong. Ignorance of the law is not a defense. Insanity is the exception.

In court, if it's determined that a person is sane, is capable of knowing right from wrong, they're deemed able to stand trial. Jurors must be capable of knowing right from wrong. They must also be able to put aside any prejudices in order to fairly determine guilt or innocence.

Conservatives take serving as a juror very seriously. It's one way in which we serve our country. We need to know that people who deliberately make decisions that go against the laws of our land will receive just consequences. The opposite is also true. Those who have been falsely accused will be set free of the accusation and the consequences.

Determining what the truth is and what the lie is, what's right and what's wrong, is a serious obligation that we all have in a free society.

However, what happens if we believe everything that we're told or that we read? A lot of misinformation is sent through the internet posing as truth. What happens if we don't take the time to verify "facts," believe it and pass it on to others? What happens if we fail to seriously consider and analyze the rightness or the wrongness of something? What if we believe the lie?

On the other hand, what if we don't believe anything we're told or that we read.
When the truth is spoken, we don't believe it. What happens then?

Do you know how to judge a situation against what is written in the constitution? Do you know our foundation documents and history well enough to engage in critical thinking when listening to a speaker or reading an article?

Do you care if you are being told the truth or not? Do you expect to know the truth?
Do you believe that everyone lies and therefore you don't believe anyone?

The pursuit of the truth is a conservative's mission. We will research, question, analyze, and discuss a topic until we are certain that we know the truth. Until we do, we will not make a decision or change anything. If we have reason to believe that a person is lying, then we will not co-operate or trust them, no matter their position.

Vetting candidates for public office, holding investigative committee sessions, writing to our legislators, reading books and articles, watching news and opinion programs and going to informational meetings are all ways in which conservatives get to the truth.

We do all of that, not to have a radio talk show host or party leader tell us what to believe, but to understand all sides of an issue. Then after we've analyzed it, we know what we believe and why.

A conservative does not believe that "The end justifies the means." In fact, a conservative would say, "The means justify the end." If the process has been fair and honest and truthful, then the end product will be good. However, if the process is full of lies, cheating, and other dishonest acts, then the end, no matter how desirable, is never justified. Lies never produce anything good.

"The truth shall set you free" should become America's national motto. It would be healthier if we demanded that our leaders be truthful. If there's a problem, admit it and let's solve it instead of hiding it behind a lie.

"The first step to solving a problem is recognizing that you have a problem." When we don't know the truth, we don't know when there is a problem. Then we become part of the problem through our ignorance and we can't be part of the solution.

So which is it? Do you want to know the truth or would you rather believe lies? If the latter, then be constantly entertained with video games and reality TV. Pay attention to your smart phone instead of the person you're with. Don't ask questions that could reveal a problem that you might be asked to help solve. Lie to yourself that the country is just fine and that it doesn't need you.

However, if you want to know the truth, then pay attention. Care about what is going on in your family, your church, your neighborhood, your state, your country. Find ways to support people and activities that are good for our community. If you discover that something isn't right, get involved. Be a part of the solution.

The truth is, we all have a part to play in our country's wellbeing.

Let's talk next Tuesday.

Nancy Sarowski is the president of Emmet County Republican Women. Her column appears each week. Contact Sarowski at You can learn more about the Emmet County Republican Women's group on Facebook.

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