An Immodest Proposal

   
 
 
 

A Special Commemorative April 1st Pfile

Disqualifier: A year ago today, my alternate universe stunt double (long story) came in for a visit. He asked to write a few stories. Seeing that he is kin I had a hard time saying no. So I didn't. Here is his "immodest proposal."
As a counselor I have learned not to trust honest people. I believe honest people are the reason for the demise of America. They undermine relationships, thereby destroying the fabric of our society.
What I propose is a seven-step program that will counter this disease:
Base any relationship firmly on the foundation of dishonesty and distrust.
Dishonesty; is it always the best policy? I would suggest that it is. Fortunately for us all, I believe that most Americans have a solid grasp of this first step. We are dishonest with ourselves, God and others - it's no wonder that America has been the bastion of liberty for over a hundred years.
For starters, most people quickly find that honesty is its own punishment. It is too hard to be honest, and when one is, they are usually misunderstood and then rejected by those they sought to help.

Make sure your motives are impure and self-serving.
The best way to avoid the pitfall of honesty is to defend against encroachment in your
own life. The encroachment comes in the form of self-examination. Live a lie; if you ever confront the truth about your own motives and desires, you will become very uncom fortable. This is best avoided.
I personally suggest that if one is con- fronted with a convicting thought that you turn it on its heels and send it back where it came from with an "at least I'm not like him or her!"
Use other people for self-aggrandizement and self-fulfillment.
Honesty also places a certain responsibility upon oneself to care and be concerned about other people. This can only stand in the way of universal truth #6: "If it feels good, do it."
Get offended easily, and harbor bitterness.
I think it was a proverb that read "a wise man looks for an insult." If you hear something and can't decide whether or not it was offensive, I suggest you take it as offensive. Otherwise you might miss something. Medical research supports such a statement when they admit that ulcers do tend to heal with time.
Love means never having to say you're sorry, so don't apologize.
If you do, then exaggerate the offense - so that you will both know that you were only joking. Apologizing is the wimp's way out of confrontation. Besides, apologizing means each party must humble him or herself and forgive-two things that should be avoided, lest it bring about the unthinkable.
"The best defense is a good offense."
For some, if properly abused, honesty can be a very powerful defensive tool. One can constantly pick and criticize others while creating a protective wall that few dare penetrate. I liken such action to trying to stitch up the flank of a pit bull. If someone tries to break through this wall to be honest with you, rip them to shreds - in the name of honesty, of course.
"Problem avoidance."
Avoiding problems is the last step on my list to better relationships, but can very well be your first course of action. The key is to remain perpetually comfortable, at ease and undisturbed. This will not happen if you are honest, be forewarned.
This list is not chronological; it is merely seven good suggestions to avoid being honest and its repercussions. Otherwise, I honestly think the world as we know it is doomed.
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
by Philip Pfanstiel
© 1998 The Philip Pfiles published April 1, 1998