John Buttrick writes from his Vermont Folk Rocker in his Concord home, Minds Crossing. He can be reached at johndbuttrick@gmail.com.

Candidate for president Kamala Harris said near the end of the Democratic Convention, “this election is not only the most important of our lives, it is one of the most important in the life of our nation.” This observation has been echoed across the nation by opinion writers and columnists, saturating the news and social media.

Those words have introduced an urgency to pay attention to the procession of the candidates across the country; their personalities and their platforms, in preparation to vote in November. Along the way, there will be at least one debate between Harris and Trump. The electorate will be dependent upon insight and skill to strip away the deceptions, exaggerations, out-and-out falsehoods, and posturing that will be thrown out like candy to the spectators watching the parade.

We do not need the sweet diversions. We call for the candidates to show us the truth about who they are, their goals, and their aspirations for the country.

Given the divisions among the electorate and between the presidential candidates and including the mean-spiritedness at large in the land, comments and opinions about the candidates and their platforms are likely to attract threats and harmful confrontations. Therefore, to speak truth to power and to illustrate the risk to democracy, using the early tradition of the folktale may be useful.

Telling a fable gives one cover. It can be argued that it is just a simple story on its own, while at the same time suggesting the story may contain a double meaning: about a real person in the real world. Telling a fable gives the narrator cover from adversaries and the reader the joy of a simple story with the possibility of insight into the real world of the emperor.

The Emperor’s New Clothes (A synopsis of an old folk tale by Hans Christian Andersen)

The weavers mime dressing the emperor in invisible new clothes. He then sets off in a procession before the whole city. The townsfolk uncomfortably go along with the pretense, not wanting to appear inept or stupid. Then a child blurts out that the emperor is wearing nothing at all. The people then realize they have been fooled. Although startled, the emperor continues in the procession, walking more proudly than ever.

Article continues after...

Yesterday's Most Read Articles

New gym focuses on flexibility to help meet fitness goals

Bow residents sue school district for free speech violation following pink-wristband protest

South Street Market staying open as building put up for sale

What happens when your child’s school lunch balance goes negative?

Concord shifts DEIJ director to different role as it re-examines diversity and equity work

‘Just keep fighting, and it will slowly get better’: NAMI NH Walks returns to support mental health for all

Your Daily Puzzles

Cross|Word

Flipart

Typeshift

SpellTower

Really Bad Chess

And then there is the tale of a rich man who felt he was entitled to be the autocrat of the realm. Using his power and money he appointed himself to be a candidate. Many under his influence, fearful of being labeled disloyal, came together and rubber-stamped his self-appointment by nominating him to be their candidate in the upcoming election. This pretense became the reality. Not wanting to appear inept or stupid, his followers chose to ignore the fact that the rich man’s clothes were covering lies, racist innuendos, vague solutions without substance, and conspiracy theories. They did not see through his apparel to the convicted felon, the series of bankruptcies, or the arrogance of admiring or scorning women according to his perception of their physical appearance, never for their abilities or leadership positions. As far as his followers are concerned, the opaque suit of respectability made the man.

Then a woman with keen insight points out that the rich man’s business suit and long red tie were covering his fantasies and the truth about his self-aggrandizement. Listening to that woman, some of his followers realize that they have been fooled. Their eyes are opened. They see through the aspiring autocrat’s cover. They abandon their reverence and unexamined loyalty. They display knowing smiles at the rich man’s foolishness and they joyfully laugh at their gullible former selves. They frown at the candidate’s threatening attitude toward any who do not follow him. They fear that his antics will be a contagion to his followers who will then oppress and violently attack any who are disloyal or in opposition. However, through it all, the calamitous candidate, seeking to be the chosen one with autocratic power, clings to his super-hero cape and blithely continues to campaign more proudly than ever.