Secrets foster deception and mistrust

As I explore ways we might create a whole new world that works for everyone, I’m struck by the thought that if we all knew everything that was going on in the world — and everyone else knew what we were doing — our actions would change overnight.

We live in a world of secrets. These secrets let all of us do things we would be reluctant to admit to anyone else. And since we have created socially sanctioned secrets, we think this is as it ought to be. But the results of these secrets are devastating to us all.

We have become aware that there is tremendous corruption in government with politicians being sold to the highest bidder — in secret, of course. We have learned that Halliburton is receiving outrageous amounts of money from government contracts, like charging $100 for each bag of laundry done for our troops in Iraq. The salaries of top executives and the salaries of the lowest paid workers are kept secret from consumers, preventing us from seeing any potential corruption, pain, injustice and poverty contained in every pair of sneakers (and clothing, rugs, electronics, etc.) manufactured by some multinational companies.

If the secrets behind the fur industry were known by all, almost everyone would choose alternative attire. As Paul McCartney said, “If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian.” If we saw the misery and pain of dogs, chimps, rabbits and many other animals in laboratories, we would quickly begin to use the alternatives to animal testing that have already been discovered.

But it’s not just “them” doing all the harm. Let’s look honestly at the secrets we all feel so comfortable with in our own lives. How willing are most of us to share information about how much money we make, where we get it and how we spend it? Why is that? If everyone had access to that information, would it influence us to change? Would we be more accountable for how we use our resources?

Are you more likely to talk nicely to your kids or spouse when others are around than in private? Would you be embarrassed or ashamed if others knew how you treat your children, your parents or your dog?

I think we are all more conscious of the appropriateness of our actions when we think someone else might see or hear about it. From tossing something out the car window to pouring used motor oil on the ground to bingeing on junk food to throwing something in the trash rather than recycling it, we all do things we know aren’t quite right and we would prefer that others not know.

For us to create a world that works for everyone, we need to get rid of the secrets. We need to live in such a way that we wouldn’t be ashamed for others to know everything that we do, from how we make and spend our money to how we treat other people and animals to what we eat and how it is produced. If there were no secrets we would all be in a position to make wise and compassionate choices about what we buy because we would know the true cost of the products, including the cost to humans, the environment and animals.

If there were no secrets we would no longer have corruption in government and corporations. We would all know the truth and would be able to support it. We would not be tricked into supporting a war by lies that feed our fears. We would be able to create a true democracy where everyone knows what is happening and has a voice in directing future choices.

How do we get there from here? First, we have to be willing to play by the same rules we want our government to play by.

We have to tell the truth and be willing to get rid of our secrets. Secondly, we need to actively seek out the truth of what is happening in our world rather than accepting the stories that are told in the corporately controlled media. For current events, a great source is www.democracynow.com, where you can listen to or watch daily podcasts. I also recommend watching documentaries that get behind the scenes. You can find many of them at www.Netflix.com.

A new world is coming — a world that works for everyone. Let’s begin to create it now by getting rid of the secrets and living up to our own highest values.

Delisa Renideo is director of the Center for Peaceful Living, www.center4-peacefulliving.org. She can be reached at 373-3044.