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Vincent J. Prinzi

Recently, I’ve been thinking about the issues of the day as I listen to others debate and/or argue about their different beliefs. It seems as if everyone is shouting at each other without listening to the other side. Certainly, arguing and ridiculing are not the way to change the hearts and minds of others.

It is nearly impossible to watch or read about ongoing news without hearing commentary by those who seem to be or claim to be well-versed and educated on the subject. It occurred to me that the most interesting observations are articulated by intellectuals. How can we not acknowledge the plausibility of those individuals?

The caveat here is that the well-educated and cerebral thinkers, more often than not, think from an abstract or a philosophical place. There is nothing wrong with that, but, to my point, it’s just their opinion which oftentimes becomes their theory.

Then there are others who profess to be knowledgeable, but they blurt out opinions that then become conspiracy theories. Some of those folks I would categorize as intellectual frauds who are actually terrific sales people.

Unfortunately, individuals who can’t find a satisfactory explanation become mesmerized with conspiracies. All of this chatter is problematic because it takes an issue completely out of context from its factual origins causing it to become even more muddled.

So, who do we listen to? Who do we believe? Who is right? Who can we trust? We can’t look at a website, listen to news or read an article without someone telling you why the content is wrong or why it is right. Constant conflict!

First, we cannot and should not allow our personal values or beliefs to be compromised by antagonistic rhetoric. Look beyond what some are trying to influence or persuade you to believe. Do your own research and follow your heart.

Considering all the commentary regarding the dissemination of today’s news, I believe there is one overriding factor that I don’t hear explained very well. That is the unity of purpose or lack thereof.

And when something is mentioned in that regard it certainly does not seem sincere. I among many others have been so disillusioned with our government in its entirety that it boggles my mind as to how we got here.

All leaders — political or otherwise — should look into their souls, revisit their core values and look for a unity of purpose. It’s disturbing and troublesome to think how many of us are losing trust in our leaders.

What happened to the moral fiber of this great republic and democracy that we live in? Have our leaders become feckless and replaced character with greed or selfishness? Think about all the election slogans and marketing strategies we’re exposed to-, many of which seem insincere and invalid.

Such hooks and slogans aren’t well thought out and are sometimes even false. Yet they’re designed to motivate us to support a certain candidate. Words and phrases taken from great speeches like the Gettysburg Address and others have been tossed around and used for self-aggrandizing purposes which is dishonorable.

So, my friends, where do we find the truth and who do we trust? Perhaps it was actually our government that suggested the answer in 1864 and then received Congressional approval of it in 1956: "In God We Trust." Therefore, in these turbulent, chaotic times, I suggest we say “God help us!”

Jamison resident Vincent J. Prinzi is a retired salon owner.