The Foxhole Test

Last night I was on the phone with my mom. Our conversation was its usual mix of family goings on and politics but I couldn't help but tell her about an old friend who had just critiqued my latest article in a way he knew would be insulting to me. I've written some weak fiction that he showered praise on but with my writing entering the political realm, his support turned to disappointment and unflattering critique. Perhaps my writing does lack wit, humor, clever narrative and spice as he noted but as a friend, should he not have said the same about the frivolous fiction he supported me on so enthusiastically? I could not help but think he was tearing down my beliefs more than my writing ability but on either account I felt deceived. As I bemoaned the cavillous words of this person, my mother cut to the chase, "Amanda, quit worrying about what he said. Does he pass the Fox hole test?"

"What's the Fox hole test?"

Mom continued to explain that if I were in a fierce battle, would I depend on this person to have my back in the foxhole or would I suspect this person to save themselves first? I didn't have to think long about that one in regards to this particular person. My mom went further saying many people you meet, even those that treat you as a friend, would not have your back in a foxhole. Those individuals may be people you genuinely like, enjoy their company, even fall in love with but at the end of the day, if they don't have your back, they are not friends, they are in fact, acquaintances. There is a big difference between the two and determining this difference is clear when the foxhole question is asked and answered honestly within oneself.

After saying goodnight to Mom and hanging up the phone, I marveled at how true (as usual) my mother's simple foxhole test really is. This one question can be applied to any human relationship situation where one is asked to put trust in another be it friendship, business, marriage and yes, even in the process of picking a leader. In fact, the Foxhole test may be the best determining factor in deciding whom to vote for in this presidential election. We all know that politicians' promises dissolve in the winds of Inauguration Day. Unforseen circumstances motivate our leaders' decisions with some leaders guided by polls, some guided by beliefs. Considering the economy, the lack of bipartisanship, the threat of generated threats posing devastating results, there is no bigger foxhole than the ditch our country finds itself in now. At the end of the day, which of our candidates would stay in the foxhole and fight with us, for us, have our back? The unusual thing is, unlike the last several election cycles, this cycle actually has a candidate that would pass the test. Promises to the people are easy to make. Actions for the people are hard to take. Who passes the Foxhole test for you? Answer that question honestly and then pull the lever.