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Lesson number one in trying to develop the ability of independent thought: Understand that EVERYTHING the government says has the potential to be lies and deception. You can believe it's the truth only after you question, exhaust every avenue, and find that their story checks out. If you're a patriot, it's your duty to always question your government anyway, at every turn. A patriot is loyal to his country and his countrymen, not his government.

Derek R. Audette#38

PoliticsTruthLoyaltySkepticism

About this quote

What does it mean?
Independent thinking requires questioning government statements thoroughly before believing them, as loyalty belongs to people not officials.
In plain terms
Question everything the government says before trusting it.
What can you take from it?
Verify government claims before accepting them as truth.

Where it applies

  • citizen evaluating policy
  • voter researching candidates
  • critic analyzing speeches

Putting it to work

  • fact-check official claims
  • distinguish country from administration

Questions to consider

  • How do you verify official information?
  • Who do you owe loyalty to?

Another view

Constant suspicion can hinder cooperation and governance.

More from Derek R. Audette

  1. If a person, in a position of authority, wants someone to believe a lie, usually all they have to do is tell it to them. If they want someone to believe a ridi…

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  2. Liberalism in decay tends toward communism, conservativism in decay tends toward fascism. Pick your failure.

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  3. I do not like to call myself a Liberal, because there is so much that is wrong with liberalism. I also do not like to call my a Conservative for exactly the sa…

    Permalink to quote #36

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