Letters to the Editor: Candidates Who Support the Big Lie Don’t Represent the Truth

I recently listened to Katie Dahl sing “Forever Young” at a garden party. Bob Dylan’s lyrics, written for his newborn son, stuck in my mind on many levels: “May you grow to be righteous / May you grow up to be true / And may you always know the truth / And see the lights surrounding you / May you always be courageous / Stand upright and be strong / And may you stay forever young.”

Most of us wish these values for our children. Most of us hope to become these values as we grow up, especially to “always know the truth.” But the truth as a value is under assault from many corners of our society today, be it from anti-vaccination followers or climate deniers. The greatest assault, however, is the Big Lie. These issues have even become a choice in our two upcoming election cycles.

Voting for candidates who support lies is dangerous. The rise of Nazi Germany was based on a Big Lie that justified the Holocaust. Although America today is not Nazi Germany, the Charlottesville march with white supremacists shouting anti-Semitic slogans had scary portends of Nazi beliefs. Voting for candidates who support Our Big Lie just moves us closer to such a reality. 

The risk is not worth it. Vote for Republican or Democratic candidates who build their political platforms on the truth. The truth has power, especially when it is a condition of our vote.

Stay forever young.

Patrick Cerra

Egg Harbor, Wisconsin