News organizations are big on TRUST. They say. Getting all solemn and important and having a deep male voice assure us we can trust what they say.
There's another relationship built on trust; our intimate companions. Partnership is something we know is built on trust.
And suppose... I ran my relationship the way our TV news ran their relationship with us?
Examples on the flip:
I wake up in the morning and before I rush off to work, I say to my partner, "Did I just overdraw the checking account a few thousand? I'll tell you more at dinner," and rush off.
As we hug and enjoy some closeness, I say, "Is someone in this relationship having an affair? No, I'm not saying you are. I'm not saying I am. Am I? Let's discuss it."
In conversation, I call their mother a b@ll breaking meddling a$$hole, and then pretend it was a joke.
If they get upset I called their mother that, I apologize by saying I'm sorry if they got offended.
If they call their mother and tell them what I said, I deny it categorically... until the tape surfaces.
Then I explain that I can't be expected to account for everything I say.
I pretend my responsibility to them is to keep them amused, and if I tell their boss at a party that they might be drinking too much again, it's their fault they don't find it funny.
I lie about the state of our finances and distract them from their worry by bringing in friends who agree with me.
I find the looniest person I can find, invite them to dinner, and have them explain why we have to move.
If they tell me I'm getting them upset and endangering our relationship, I tell them they have a misconception about my role in this thing, and everyone else's relationship works this way!
So if I started running my relationship that way... how long do you think it would last?