The topic of religion is my on mind quite a lot lately because of my religious upbringing, and the fact that religion is now a nearly constant issue in the news of the day. I carefully worded the Title line. I have entitled this "The Problem Of Religion" not "The Problem With Religion". My meaning in choosing these words is to suggest that current political and policy decisions being made by government today are intersecting with religion in a way I haven't seen in a long while. The frequent intersection of these two facets of our culture is cause for some thought and reflection. A problem with religion would suggest that there is some issue with religion itself. I'm not arguing that point, as it is more about the dilemma that people face when the two worlds of religion and policy meet.
The issue of religion in public policy became an important topic in the Presidential primaries over the last few months when contraception became an issue in health care, and a particular issue in the last weeks as The House Budget Proposal (what is now called the Ryan-Romney Budget) has been discussed and reacted to. This is the federal budget proposed by Republican Paul Ryan and now endorsed by presumptive Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Please allow me to generalize about religion by discussing it in the context of Christianity. I know there are many religions practiced here, but for the sake of argument and convenience I'll stay mainly with the Christian tenets as a way to illustrate my thoughts-even though it applies to other religions too.. Besides, about 85% of all religious people in America claim Christianity as there basic faith. People of other faiths- please pardon me.
The basic problem of religion is how a person of faith participates as a citizen when the teachings of their religion conflict with the actions of their government. This is a real question is about us, not some obscure totalitarian dictatorship. It is relevant because as free citizens in a democratic society we choose our government and the people who operate it- it is not imposed on us without some exercise of our own will. So as we go about the task of selecting our government, what set of values do we heed when we cast our ballot? The question is about us as people- not about government. It is, after all, the government and the elected officials we put there.
The case in point that got me thinking of this is the above mentioned Ryan-Romney Budget. It is extremely complex, but it sets a direction that is fairly clear. It has been described by its authors as a deficit deduction budget. It features a multi-year plan to reduce our incredible trajectory of deficit spending. A few of the details include re-doing medicare to be a set amount given to an eligible person with which they shop the open market for coverage (a voucher system). It reduces social security and raises the age of retirement. It includes massive cuts to education programs- environmental programs, other health programs, other social programs, and most regulatory government functions- while it increases military spending and provides lower tax rates for high income earners and higher tax rates for lower income earners. Incidentally (by Ryan's own admission) it does not reduce deficit spending for many years after if goes into effect-if that plan works at all.
Budgets are a not just financial spread sheets- they are a values statement. They reflect the things we value and they reflect the things we don't value. In many ways they are a picture of our conscience. And here is where religion gets in the picture. Last week the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops condemned the Ryan-Romney Budget as immoral because it removed or reduced programs that aid the poor while granting financial benefits to the rich. Paul Ryan, himself a Catholic, went to Georgetown University last week to discuss the budget in a forum. 90 faculty members of this prestigious Catholic University gave him a letter of protest, questioning the morality of his proposal. I applaud the stand taken by the Bishops and the Georgetown faculty on this issue, but I wondered where Catholic parishioners stood on this. It made me wonder how it is possible to be a politically conservative Christian. It made me wonder how the Catholic in the pew on Sunday can justify policies that violate the basic tenets of the New Testament- because we know there are many Conservative Catholics who will vote for Republican candidates because they believe in conservative politics. There is even a sizable voting block that call themselves Christian Conservatives. Mitt Romney seems a devout man of the LDS faith and a follower of Jesus' teachings- yet he is also firmly behind policies Jesus himself would not preach. In fact Jesus actively preached against (similar) elements now contained in the modern day Ryan-Romney Budget.
I do not practice a religion. I am secular. But many of my secular, human values fall in line with Christian values.
I realize it is difficult to discuss politics and religion, and they are often taboo in polite conversation. At the same time these topics collide in unavoidable ways. I'm not one to promote the idea that religious dogma should dominate (or even influence) public policy. For example, I would not agree with many people of faith about reproductive health issues. (note: it was very interesting to read about the wide variety of beliefs about abortion even amongst different Christian denominations) But, that's easy for me to say because I don't practice any religion-my values come from another source. I can, however, appreciate how difficult it may be for those who do practice a religion to reconcile the very clear conflicts and the variety of issues where public policy and religion intersect. As another example: it is conceivable that a Catholic may be opposed to abortion but favor the death penalty. Both practices are forbidden by the Church- but some Catholics are perfectly comfortable accepting one practice and not the other. Even when discussing the Budget issue, some might argue that the proposed cuts are necessary to save the whole government (as the Republicans argue), but that supposes there is no where else to cut. My humanist values would suggest we can cut our massive defense spending, or stop corporate subsidies, and quit giving tax breaks to the wealthy to balance the ledger- just like the Catholic Bishops suggested. You see, the business of "values" in a complex world gets pretty complicated.
Both Mitt Romney and Barack Obama have said this coming election is a clear choice about the values we have as a country. I think they are both right. This is a very clear "values" election because the positions of the parties and the candidates suggest very different paths for our future. I don't have any answers about how religion can or should play a role in the minds of the voters. I just believe our decisions in the next year will be a matter of values- and religion informs values for a great many of us, so it is incumbent upon religious folk to carefully think through the conflicts between faith and governance. That is the problem OF religion- and I hope we will all consider our vote very carefully using all the resources our conscience (not our politics) allows to choose our path.
Thanks for looking in.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Sticks and Strings
Occasionally I divert my attention from the always entertaining, and often exasperating, world of politics and other such things, just to write about something I'm doing. We can't always be focused on the craziness of the world around us, lest we go a little crazy ourselves. So I'm about to tell you about my newest avocation. I have been determined to keeping adding to my repertoire of activities for both the body and the mind in order to stave off the inevitable effects of aging. The way to stay young and vital (at least to the extent we can) is to be active. Activity for me is not only about the movement of our physical selves- but also about learning more and exercising the brain a bit too. Towards that end I have recently taken up Archery- its good for both body and mind.
More accurately, I should say I have returned to archery. But this time I'm serious. I have always been enamoured by archery. I like the feel of the bow in my hand, pulling back against the bow as it bends and arches-and I like the idea of sending the arrow into flight. You amateur psychologists pay special attention here: I have always been drawn to stories and movies about ancient warriors. I'm still a sucker for a good "swords and sandals" tale of brave warriors using the classic weapons of old to vanquish tyrants and brigands. There's just something classy and elegant about the ancient warriors and the weapons of the times-particularly the line of a bow as it curves to hurl an arrow. Hercules, Achilles and the rest always captured my imagination. When I was a kid my folks got me a bow and a few arrows. I remember it to this day. It wasn't a little kid's bow- it was the real thing. It was a one-piece wooden recurve bow- black lacquer and a leather wrapped grip. Fortunately, I had plenty of space to shoot it, sending long arching shots across the fields surrounding our house. I was given a lot of freedom (i.e. no supervision) provided I avoided shots in the direction of the livestock and my sister. Eventually, I grew up and left the bow behind- relieving a lot of anxiety around the house.
My next encounter with the art of archery came in college. Get this- I was a junior at Portland State University and I didn't have enough P.E credits. Back then everyone was required to take four P.E. classes to graduate, regardless of age or class status. I ended up taking archery as one of those classes. Most of us were in there just to get an easy P.E. class out of the way, but the instructor was taking this seriously. The University had an indoor range set up in an abandoned area of a gym. At least we learned how to handle the bow properly and name all the parts of a bow. It was a class after all. (By the way are four parts- five if you count both ends of the bow)We were also very strict about archery etiquette and safety measures to ensure nobody ended up going to their next class with an arrow stuck in them. But I admit it was fun and I did gain a better appreciation for the craft of shooting an arrow properly, with a reasonable expectation about where it would end up. Who says a college education isn't valuable?
Out of the blue last fall I decided to revisit my old fascination with Archery. I spent a little time on the Internet researching the market and the equipment out there now. I knew I didn't want to mess around with compound bows (you know, the bows that are about three feet long with wheels and pulleys). They look more like a contraption than a bow. I wanted a traditional bow. The only problem was that most sporting goods dealers just carry the contraptions- because that's what all the hunters want. They have more power in a smaller package- but they aren't my thing. And they're ugly!! After a lot of calling around I found a great shop that had a good selection of traditional bows. But more importantly the owner of the shop absolutely loves traditional bows and took the time to set me up with the right equipment- sensing he had another convert to traditional archery. I could tell he loved everything about archery because he spoke of it with reverence-and about the classic timelessness of it. As technologically advanced as these new bows are, when he finished explaining all this to me he winked and said, "in the end, it's just sticks and strings".
I settled on a beautiful set of "sticks and strings" in the form of a Hoyt Excel Recurve. This is quite an instrument. It's a take-down bow, meaning the limbs of the bow detach from the center piece, called the riser. The riser is expertly crafted steel, molded perfectly to fit the hand on the bow arm, super strong, beautifully tooled attachments for the bow limbs, and a raised arrow rest. The limbs are made of the finest woods with overlaid fiberglass. Wooden arrows are still available- but most archers use carbon arrows because of their light weight and consistent performance. I'm telling you about the equipment to let you know things have changed since the days I got that first bow. Modern traditional bows are a masterpiece of engineering, transforming what still essentially the original ancient form. A person living eight thousand years ago could trade places with a person of today, and they would both be able to use the others' bow proficiently. I think that's kind of cool.
Thanks for indulging me, as I went on a bit about my new fascination with archery. It's all about finding new ways to stay active, and find new challenges. When my wife and I were raising kids we were always on the run to their activities and sports events. Those activities were the things that kept us active and engaged- and they were fun. I see my kids doing that now with our grandchildren. But as I've thought about this phase of my life, I realize the importance of finding new ways to engage mind and body to enjoy all the life I have left. If life is a journey- I'm not going to sit on the side of the road as I get older, believing the journey is over. I'm determined to stay on the road and keep learning new things along the way. We all have things we do for enjoyment, recreation and stimulation of the mind and body. I just thought I'd tell you about my newest adventure in hopes you've found something to grab your imagination too-whatever it may be.
Thanks for looking in.
More accurately, I should say I have returned to archery. But this time I'm serious. I have always been enamoured by archery. I like the feel of the bow in my hand, pulling back against the bow as it bends and arches-and I like the idea of sending the arrow into flight. You amateur psychologists pay special attention here: I have always been drawn to stories and movies about ancient warriors. I'm still a sucker for a good "swords and sandals" tale of brave warriors using the classic weapons of old to vanquish tyrants and brigands. There's just something classy and elegant about the ancient warriors and the weapons of the times-particularly the line of a bow as it curves to hurl an arrow. Hercules, Achilles and the rest always captured my imagination. When I was a kid my folks got me a bow and a few arrows. I remember it to this day. It wasn't a little kid's bow- it was the real thing. It was a one-piece wooden recurve bow- black lacquer and a leather wrapped grip. Fortunately, I had plenty of space to shoot it, sending long arching shots across the fields surrounding our house. I was given a lot of freedom (i.e. no supervision) provided I avoided shots in the direction of the livestock and my sister. Eventually, I grew up and left the bow behind- relieving a lot of anxiety around the house.
My next encounter with the art of archery came in college. Get this- I was a junior at Portland State University and I didn't have enough P.E credits. Back then everyone was required to take four P.E. classes to graduate, regardless of age or class status. I ended up taking archery as one of those classes. Most of us were in there just to get an easy P.E. class out of the way, but the instructor was taking this seriously. The University had an indoor range set up in an abandoned area of a gym. At least we learned how to handle the bow properly and name all the parts of a bow. It was a class after all. (By the way are four parts- five if you count both ends of the bow)We were also very strict about archery etiquette and safety measures to ensure nobody ended up going to their next class with an arrow stuck in them. But I admit it was fun and I did gain a better appreciation for the craft of shooting an arrow properly, with a reasonable expectation about where it would end up. Who says a college education isn't valuable?
Out of the blue last fall I decided to revisit my old fascination with Archery. I spent a little time on the Internet researching the market and the equipment out there now. I knew I didn't want to mess around with compound bows (you know, the bows that are about three feet long with wheels and pulleys). They look more like a contraption than a bow. I wanted a traditional bow. The only problem was that most sporting goods dealers just carry the contraptions- because that's what all the hunters want. They have more power in a smaller package- but they aren't my thing. And they're ugly!! After a lot of calling around I found a great shop that had a good selection of traditional bows. But more importantly the owner of the shop absolutely loves traditional bows and took the time to set me up with the right equipment- sensing he had another convert to traditional archery. I could tell he loved everything about archery because he spoke of it with reverence-and about the classic timelessness of it. As technologically advanced as these new bows are, when he finished explaining all this to me he winked and said, "in the end, it's just sticks and strings".
I settled on a beautiful set of "sticks and strings" in the form of a Hoyt Excel Recurve. This is quite an instrument. It's a take-down bow, meaning the limbs of the bow detach from the center piece, called the riser. The riser is expertly crafted steel, molded perfectly to fit the hand on the bow arm, super strong, beautifully tooled attachments for the bow limbs, and a raised arrow rest. The limbs are made of the finest woods with overlaid fiberglass. Wooden arrows are still available- but most archers use carbon arrows because of their light weight and consistent performance. I'm telling you about the equipment to let you know things have changed since the days I got that first bow. Modern traditional bows are a masterpiece of engineering, transforming what still essentially the original ancient form. A person living eight thousand years ago could trade places with a person of today, and they would both be able to use the others' bow proficiently. I think that's kind of cool.
Thanks for indulging me, as I went on a bit about my new fascination with archery. It's all about finding new ways to stay active, and find new challenges. When my wife and I were raising kids we were always on the run to their activities and sports events. Those activities were the things that kept us active and engaged- and they were fun. I see my kids doing that now with our grandchildren. But as I've thought about this phase of my life, I realize the importance of finding new ways to engage mind and body to enjoy all the life I have left. If life is a journey- I'm not going to sit on the side of the road as I get older, believing the journey is over. I'm determined to stay on the road and keep learning new things along the way. We all have things we do for enjoyment, recreation and stimulation of the mind and body. I just thought I'd tell you about my newest adventure in hopes you've found something to grab your imagination too-whatever it may be.
Thanks for looking in.
Monday, April 16, 2012
...Because We Have Daughters
I started to write this article several times, and each time I had to stop. I finally concluded I was having trouble expressing myself for two reasons. The first problem is that it's a far ranging topic, making it hard to find proper boundaries. The second reason is that I take it kind of personally- because we have daughters! This is about women's rights, women's status, and women's health. I take it personally because my kids are women. That is not to say that I have been oblivious to women's issues up until now- I haven't. My wife and I have always shared social and political thoughts (and actions) supporting the advancement of women's rights. But for many men (me included) I believe it is critically important to think about the advancement of women's issues on a visceral level- on a feeling level- in order to be better fathers, or just better men.
As fathers, we would do anything to protect our children from harm and help them succeed. As men we would do anything in our power to protect or help our spouses or partners. We want all of our family members to prosper and to have good health. We want them to reach their absolute best, and use all their potential. We want them to be respected as people, live in safety, and be treated with dignity. I have to think even the most chauvinistic men wouldn't want what they say or think about women said about their own daughters. I believed that we had achieved some measure of those ideals. I knew that we were along way from full equality for women, but I thought some significant progress had been made. That's why I have been so disheartened by the tenor of our politics and our culture over the last year or two.
In my earlier attempts to capture that feeling of disappointment I considered revisiting the old business of Roe v. Wade as a way to illustrate how this neo-conservative movement had gone completely wrong in it's treatment of women. No matter where you stand on the issue of abortion, The Roe v. Wade decision was not decided on the basis that seven of the nine Justices (all male) just liked abortion. Far from it-they did not! Roe v. Wade was a 4th and 14th Amendment case. It was about the Constitutionally protected (and sacred) right of privacy (4th Amendment) and the Constitutionally protected (and sacred) right of due process under law (14th Amendment). In essence it said women control their own bodies (at least in early pregnancy) and governments cannot interfere without due process. Many people disagree with the effect of the ruling- but it has never been overturned for one simple reason: rights granted and reaffirmed under this decision are fundamental Constitutional Rights, for all citizens including women.
In the last year or two there have literally been hundreds of bills introduced in state legislatures, and some in Congress signifying that my kids shouldn't have certain rights as citizens or women. I take offense to those efforts- because we have daughters. This effort has been dubbed the "War on Women" and it has been laid squarely at the feet of the Republican party. The Republicans, of course, have claimed there is no "war on women"- and it's a "manufactured issue" made up by the Democrats to distract us. So, is there a "war on women"? A war on my children? I don't know how we can look at the efforts of Republicans since the 2010 election and conclude there is not a "war on women". That means our daughters are under attack.
Lets look at the record. In just the last year nine more states have attempted to pass, or passed legislation forcing women into medically unnecessary ultra-sound or other medically intrusive procedures specifically aimed at shaming or discouraging women from obtaining legal abortions. Again, no matter where you stand on abortion- this is a statement about the ability of women to think for themselves or make decisions for themselves. These laws say to women- "you must submit to our practices and biases before you exercise your judgement about your own bodies guaranteed by the Constitution. These laws say, "we know best-and you no longer have the privacy and personal security the Constitution guarantees". These laws say women are inferior citizens by virtue of their womanhood.
In Congress there was an attempt to limit access to birth control provided by employers' insurance if the employer had any "moral" objection to the use of birth control (Blunt-Rubio). Our U.S. Senate stopped this affront to women because a Democratic majority would not allow it- though it passed easily in the Republican controlled House. To have this kind of law passed would have been the slippery slope of all time. Do we really want to allow Joe the tire store guy making health care decisions for his female employees? What does say about the status of women? It says women now must get permission from any employer just to get basic health care. Ask any woman (particularly your adult daughters) and you will learn that contraception is BASIC HEALTH CARE. What if Joe is a Christian Science believer or a Jehovah's Witness? He would not have to offer much coverage to anyone-based on his own morals. But Republicans in Congress were willing to take that road on women's health care. The Tennessee Legislature was debating a bill that would require a physician to lie to women considering an abortion. I cannot think of anything more intrusive or improper that requiring a doctor to lie to a patient (with criminal consequences) to achieve a political end. But that's how far this has gone.
In Wisconsin, last week the Republican Governor vetoed a state bill that would have required equal pay for women. When asked about the Federal law requiring equal pay for women the Romney campaign needed several hours to think about it before answering they favored equal pay under the Lilly Ledbetter Law. They even had a couple of Republican women in the House of Representatives come out to support Romney on this- but both of those Republican Congresswomen voted against the bill themselves. And, there is still a difference in wage levels between men and women in this country. When Limbaugh went on his rampage against Ms. Fluke, calling her a "slut", not one prominent Republican stood up to denounce this misogynistic characterization of women. All Mr. Romney had to say was that he would have used "different words". Sadly, no one ever asked which words he would have used instead of "slut".
Of the 119 bills introduced in various states last year and the bills introduced in Congress there are two common threads. They were all an attempt to limit, reduce or eliminate rights or services already granted to women, and they were all (100%) introduced and supported by the Republican party. So to answer the question: yes there is a "war on women" and yes it is be waged by the Republican party. The puzzling part is, why? Perhaps a small group of very conservative elected folks somehow believe these attempts will bring us back to the "good old days". If you were a woman in those days- it wasn't so good, because women were stuck in prescribed roles. I don't want those "old" days back- because we have daughters. Perhaps this is a shallow attempt to appeal to that illusive super-conservative "base" everyone talks about. The supreme irony of these efforts is that are being supported by the same people who argue against "Obama Care" because "its an unprecedented intrusion of the government into your private health care, and puts the government between you and your doctor". (Not true) but apparently it's OK if you're a woman. These laws and proposed laws are more intrusive than anything in the Affordable Health Care Act. This conservative movement wants to make every health care and reproductive decision for women-seemingly out of some sense of moral superiority. These are the same people who say they revere the Constitution so much- but don't really want it to fully apply to women. I'm reminded of the House hearings on contraception with Chairman Issa- he didn't invite or allow any women to testify. The Republicans can claim there's no war on women. They can even say the Democrats are actually doing it- but, as always, actions speak louder than words. If you examine the Ryan (Romney) budget proposal you will see just how punishing their proposed actions will be on women. Put the rhetoric aside and look at the policies to see who is at war with women.
I can understand why women favor Democrats over Republicans by a wide margin in the polls right now. Women get it. It's very personal to them. But I'm making a plea for men to get in the fight too. These are women's issues for sure- but they are men's issues too. How can we hold our young daughters and tell them they can be anything they want to be, or that they are entitled to be respected as full citizens when we know it isn't entirely true? All of us have to be aware of what's happening. All of us should be in the fight for full equality for women, if for no other reason- because we have daughters!
Thanks for looking in.
P.S. Normally I would not use the word "war" to describe a political debate or movement because real war is such a horrible and damaging behavior. The word "war" itself should only be used in its true context so we don't diminish its horror. But I felt compelled to use it in this article because it has become a common term in this debate.
As fathers, we would do anything to protect our children from harm and help them succeed. As men we would do anything in our power to protect or help our spouses or partners. We want all of our family members to prosper and to have good health. We want them to reach their absolute best, and use all their potential. We want them to be respected as people, live in safety, and be treated with dignity. I have to think even the most chauvinistic men wouldn't want what they say or think about women said about their own daughters. I believed that we had achieved some measure of those ideals. I knew that we were along way from full equality for women, but I thought some significant progress had been made. That's why I have been so disheartened by the tenor of our politics and our culture over the last year or two.
In my earlier attempts to capture that feeling of disappointment I considered revisiting the old business of Roe v. Wade as a way to illustrate how this neo-conservative movement had gone completely wrong in it's treatment of women. No matter where you stand on the issue of abortion, The Roe v. Wade decision was not decided on the basis that seven of the nine Justices (all male) just liked abortion. Far from it-they did not! Roe v. Wade was a 4th and 14th Amendment case. It was about the Constitutionally protected (and sacred) right of privacy (4th Amendment) and the Constitutionally protected (and sacred) right of due process under law (14th Amendment). In essence it said women control their own bodies (at least in early pregnancy) and governments cannot interfere without due process. Many people disagree with the effect of the ruling- but it has never been overturned for one simple reason: rights granted and reaffirmed under this decision are fundamental Constitutional Rights, for all citizens including women.
In the last year or two there have literally been hundreds of bills introduced in state legislatures, and some in Congress signifying that my kids shouldn't have certain rights as citizens or women. I take offense to those efforts- because we have daughters. This effort has been dubbed the "War on Women" and it has been laid squarely at the feet of the Republican party. The Republicans, of course, have claimed there is no "war on women"- and it's a "manufactured issue" made up by the Democrats to distract us. So, is there a "war on women"? A war on my children? I don't know how we can look at the efforts of Republicans since the 2010 election and conclude there is not a "war on women". That means our daughters are under attack.
Lets look at the record. In just the last year nine more states have attempted to pass, or passed legislation forcing women into medically unnecessary ultra-sound or other medically intrusive procedures specifically aimed at shaming or discouraging women from obtaining legal abortions. Again, no matter where you stand on abortion- this is a statement about the ability of women to think for themselves or make decisions for themselves. These laws say to women- "you must submit to our practices and biases before you exercise your judgement about your own bodies guaranteed by the Constitution. These laws say, "we know best-and you no longer have the privacy and personal security the Constitution guarantees". These laws say women are inferior citizens by virtue of their womanhood.
In Congress there was an attempt to limit access to birth control provided by employers' insurance if the employer had any "moral" objection to the use of birth control (Blunt-Rubio). Our U.S. Senate stopped this affront to women because a Democratic majority would not allow it- though it passed easily in the Republican controlled House. To have this kind of law passed would have been the slippery slope of all time. Do we really want to allow Joe the tire store guy making health care decisions for his female employees? What does say about the status of women? It says women now must get permission from any employer just to get basic health care. Ask any woman (particularly your adult daughters) and you will learn that contraception is BASIC HEALTH CARE. What if Joe is a Christian Science believer or a Jehovah's Witness? He would not have to offer much coverage to anyone-based on his own morals. But Republicans in Congress were willing to take that road on women's health care. The Tennessee Legislature was debating a bill that would require a physician to lie to women considering an abortion. I cannot think of anything more intrusive or improper that requiring a doctor to lie to a patient (with criminal consequences) to achieve a political end. But that's how far this has gone.
In Wisconsin, last week the Republican Governor vetoed a state bill that would have required equal pay for women. When asked about the Federal law requiring equal pay for women the Romney campaign needed several hours to think about it before answering they favored equal pay under the Lilly Ledbetter Law. They even had a couple of Republican women in the House of Representatives come out to support Romney on this- but both of those Republican Congresswomen voted against the bill themselves. And, there is still a difference in wage levels between men and women in this country. When Limbaugh went on his rampage against Ms. Fluke, calling her a "slut", not one prominent Republican stood up to denounce this misogynistic characterization of women. All Mr. Romney had to say was that he would have used "different words". Sadly, no one ever asked which words he would have used instead of "slut".
Of the 119 bills introduced in various states last year and the bills introduced in Congress there are two common threads. They were all an attempt to limit, reduce or eliminate rights or services already granted to women, and they were all (100%) introduced and supported by the Republican party. So to answer the question: yes there is a "war on women" and yes it is be waged by the Republican party. The puzzling part is, why? Perhaps a small group of very conservative elected folks somehow believe these attempts will bring us back to the "good old days". If you were a woman in those days- it wasn't so good, because women were stuck in prescribed roles. I don't want those "old" days back- because we have daughters. Perhaps this is a shallow attempt to appeal to that illusive super-conservative "base" everyone talks about. The supreme irony of these efforts is that are being supported by the same people who argue against "Obama Care" because "its an unprecedented intrusion of the government into your private health care, and puts the government between you and your doctor". (Not true) but apparently it's OK if you're a woman. These laws and proposed laws are more intrusive than anything in the Affordable Health Care Act. This conservative movement wants to make every health care and reproductive decision for women-seemingly out of some sense of moral superiority. These are the same people who say they revere the Constitution so much- but don't really want it to fully apply to women. I'm reminded of the House hearings on contraception with Chairman Issa- he didn't invite or allow any women to testify. The Republicans can claim there's no war on women. They can even say the Democrats are actually doing it- but, as always, actions speak louder than words. If you examine the Ryan (Romney) budget proposal you will see just how punishing their proposed actions will be on women. Put the rhetoric aside and look at the policies to see who is at war with women.
I can understand why women favor Democrats over Republicans by a wide margin in the polls right now. Women get it. It's very personal to them. But I'm making a plea for men to get in the fight too. These are women's issues for sure- but they are men's issues too. How can we hold our young daughters and tell them they can be anything they want to be, or that they are entitled to be respected as full citizens when we know it isn't entirely true? All of us have to be aware of what's happening. All of us should be in the fight for full equality for women, if for no other reason- because we have daughters!
Thanks for looking in.
P.S. Normally I would not use the word "war" to describe a political debate or movement because real war is such a horrible and damaging behavior. The word "war" itself should only be used in its true context so we don't diminish its horror. But I felt compelled to use it in this article because it has become a common term in this debate.
Monday, April 9, 2012
House for Sale
This classic 18th Century Colonial is a one-of-a-kind property located in an exclusive area of a capital city. The 132 room mansion features amenities found only in some of the finest homes in the world. This sprawling, two story looker (with full basement) features 16 bedrooms and 35 bathrooms- providing convenience at every turn. It is perfect for entertaining large groups or intimate gatherings. You and your guests will enjoy easy access with a circular drive, and front and rear porticoes. The neighborhood is relatively quiet in a no-fly zone, with the house set back from traffic noise by expansive and expertly landscaped grounds. It is close to shopping, buses and national monuments.
Inside this charmer, you'll find cozy living quarters for quiet evenings with the family or large beautifully decorated rooms perfect for dinners, dances, or parties-fit for royalty. This home also features themed rooms that depict the rich heritage of previous occupants. History literally comes alive as you stroll the halls and colonnades to various sections of this architectural wonder.
The kitchen area has been constantly updated to provide the most modern appliances and innovations in food preparation and service. The kitchen is staffed with five full-time chefs, making for tremendous ease in dining. The staff can whip up a mid-night snack or serve a full dinner to 140 guests. And speaking of staff, this home also includes housekeeping and administrative staff and a full compliment of grounds keepers. By the way -it is fully fenced for privacy and has a sprinkler system. You're only seconds away from air and ground transportation. Underground parking and your own private heliport means there is no wasted time in the busy life of this beauty's next owner.
For the safety minded, this home has one of the most advanced security systems in the world. Each of the 147 windows is fitted with bullet-proof glass, providing plenty of natural light and optimum safety. Adding to your peace of mind, there is a "safe room" guaranteeing your family's security during any "unexpected event". We've topped off the "built-in" safety features with the most highly trained security personnel in the world. (including the rare- "Snipers on the Roof" feature) You'll sleep well in this new home.
A special feature of this magnificent home is the beautifully appointed and uniquely styled home-office. If you're the work-from-home type you will not find better accommodations than those located in the West Wing of the mansion. This home-office is oval shaped and and can be decorated to fit any taste. It is "tech ready" with the latest in communications and multi-media hook ups. There's plenty of room to expand with accompanying office space in the wing.
This is the perfect place for home recreation. You won't believe the opportunities for fun and relaxation at home-with tennis and basketball courts, a jogging track, indoor swimming year around, your own personal bowling lanes and a movie theatre. There is also a specially equipped outdoor playground to provide hours of fun for the little ones.
Don't pass up this very special home. Only 43 previous occupants have shared the unique experience of what this property has to offer. Financing is available. (Qualified occupants may spend two to four years trying to acquire this property)
Inside this charmer, you'll find cozy living quarters for quiet evenings with the family or large beautifully decorated rooms perfect for dinners, dances, or parties-fit for royalty. This home also features themed rooms that depict the rich heritage of previous occupants. History literally comes alive as you stroll the halls and colonnades to various sections of this architectural wonder.
The kitchen area has been constantly updated to provide the most modern appliances and innovations in food preparation and service. The kitchen is staffed with five full-time chefs, making for tremendous ease in dining. The staff can whip up a mid-night snack or serve a full dinner to 140 guests. And speaking of staff, this home also includes housekeeping and administrative staff and a full compliment of grounds keepers. By the way -it is fully fenced for privacy and has a sprinkler system. You're only seconds away from air and ground transportation. Underground parking and your own private heliport means there is no wasted time in the busy life of this beauty's next owner.
For the safety minded, this home has one of the most advanced security systems in the world. Each of the 147 windows is fitted with bullet-proof glass, providing plenty of natural light and optimum safety. Adding to your peace of mind, there is a "safe room" guaranteeing your family's security during any "unexpected event". We've topped off the "built-in" safety features with the most highly trained security personnel in the world. (including the rare- "Snipers on the Roof" feature) You'll sleep well in this new home.
A special feature of this magnificent home is the beautifully appointed and uniquely styled home-office. If you're the work-from-home type you will not find better accommodations than those located in the West Wing of the mansion. This home-office is oval shaped and and can be decorated to fit any taste. It is "tech ready" with the latest in communications and multi-media hook ups. There's plenty of room to expand with accompanying office space in the wing.
This is the perfect place for home recreation. You won't believe the opportunities for fun and relaxation at home-with tennis and basketball courts, a jogging track, indoor swimming year around, your own personal bowling lanes and a movie theatre. There is also a specially equipped outdoor playground to provide hours of fun for the little ones.
Don't pass up this very special home. Only 43 previous occupants have shared the unique experience of what this property has to offer. Financing is available. (Qualified occupants may spend two to four years trying to acquire this property)
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From John Adams to Barack Obama I'm sure that each President has referred to the White House, not as his own, but as the people's house. The White House is one of the most recognized symbols of the American government and the American people in the world. It symbolizes the prestige, power, and dignity of American ideals and leadership. But this year, more than any other year I can recall, the White House seems more like a house for sale than a symbol of what we stand for.
I fully realize that money has always played an important part in the selection of our leaders. But this year money seems to have an even bigger role in the national political scene. We've often heard that Congress members and Senators must devote hours everyday, sitting on the telephone, soliciting money from donors just to finance the next election. This may explain the considerable inaction of Congress. In Presidential politics we have seen the emergence of the Super-PAC donors that can single-handedly finance a Presidential campaign. Witness the unlikely candidacy of Newt Gingrich. Gingrich is the most reviled politician in the country, yet he was able to string together a couple of primary wins and cause Mitt Romney some sleepless nights, only because he had billionaire Sheldon Adelson (and wife) contributing millions. This is a clear example of a candidate who was made on one man's money. Santorum is another candidate who is getting the bulk of his financial support from a few very dedicated donors. Mitt Romney is an extremely wealthy man in his own right- but is still pulling in millions from Wall Street donors. Mr. Romney (and his PACs) have spent millions in negative advertising just to pull 30% in the early primaries, and claim a big win. In the states where Romney wins he outspends his opponents many, many times over. That seems a pretty hallow victory- at a pretty high cost. But, that's the going rate.
The Democratic Party is essentially no different. President Obama isn't attracting the Super-PAC money like the Republicans, but he is pulling in millions at fund raisers specifically supporting his re-election campaign. I have heard estimates that this year's Presidential campaign may break the billion dollar mark. Looks like that will be the new market price for the property described above. It is a sad commentary on our government that it is no longer of, by, and for the People. Even the casual observer must conclude that our republic is now controlled by the corporations and their lobbyist. How else can we explain why, only two weeks ago, the Senate failed to remove subsidies for oil companies. These are the most profitable companies in the history of man- and they are getting free money from the tax-payers. (all the "no" votes were from Senators who received major contributions from oil companies) How else can we explain the continuation of tax break after tax break for the richest people and the richest companies.
When I hear that our country is going broke-I just have to laugh. There are ample riches in our country- but the wealth is concentrated with too few people. It is so clear those people would rather give millions to elect politicians (puppets) than give a penny more in taxes. I don't, for one minute, believe these very elite donors give to certain campaigns because they just believe in the person they support. They buy politicians because they want the access and the advantages that go with the money. I often hear both sides chide the other about the money issue. The Democrats complain that the Republicans are trying to buy the election after the Citizen's United decision- and they're right! The Republicans complain the Democrats practice crony-capitalism - and they're right! I'm sure each knows the game, and each plays it with a wink and nod to the other, because that's the system we've allowed to take over. But it is laughable to watch them complain about the corruption in government-each knowing the other is just as guilty of playing the same corrupt game. Most unfortunate is that this game is one only the rich can play- which helps explain the decline of the middle class over the last thirty years.
There is only one way to restore our democracy in the face of the massive influence of money in politics. There is only one reform that will fundamentally change things for the better. All other reforms fall short and cannot deliver the remedy. When we get fed up enough- we must insist on public financing of elections. This will create an even playing field made up of ideas instead of influence. This one reform will stop most of the corruption of our government and lead to the other reforms we need so badly. Anything short of total public financing of elections will always leave room for continued corruption.
Can you imagine a United States where leaders didn't have to ask rich people to finance their elections? That would be a U.S. where we could elect people of conscience and intellect to lead us, instead of electing people beholden to the fat-cats who put them in office. That would be a country where Congress would enact policies for the good of the country- not the corporations that control them once they attain office. That would be a United States led by people dedicated to our ideals again. To do such a thing would be an incredibly bold move- a move that says money is NOT speech and corporations are NOT people.
Movements to do just this have been in existence, but it is so hard to break the old patterns because the ones who would need the courage to do it live in the system with the current rules, and the current corrupting influences . Nonetheless, I'm confident some day all of us will see the wisdom to making this reform. It can only happen with a ground swell of popular support to make it happen. I hope we can come to this conclusion without having to experience another true national political disaster. Some theorize, and I agree, that we already experienced the disaster caused by this type of corruption. We call it the Great Recession- brought to us by the last administration. Until we can fundamentally change our election process the "For Sale" sign is still up at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Thanks for looking in.
I fully realize that money has always played an important part in the selection of our leaders. But this year money seems to have an even bigger role in the national political scene. We've often heard that Congress members and Senators must devote hours everyday, sitting on the telephone, soliciting money from donors just to finance the next election. This may explain the considerable inaction of Congress. In Presidential politics we have seen the emergence of the Super-PAC donors that can single-handedly finance a Presidential campaign. Witness the unlikely candidacy of Newt Gingrich. Gingrich is the most reviled politician in the country, yet he was able to string together a couple of primary wins and cause Mitt Romney some sleepless nights, only because he had billionaire Sheldon Adelson (and wife) contributing millions. This is a clear example of a candidate who was made on one man's money. Santorum is another candidate who is getting the bulk of his financial support from a few very dedicated donors. Mitt Romney is an extremely wealthy man in his own right- but is still pulling in millions from Wall Street donors. Mr. Romney (and his PACs) have spent millions in negative advertising just to pull 30% in the early primaries, and claim a big win. In the states where Romney wins he outspends his opponents many, many times over. That seems a pretty hallow victory- at a pretty high cost. But, that's the going rate.
The Democratic Party is essentially no different. President Obama isn't attracting the Super-PAC money like the Republicans, but he is pulling in millions at fund raisers specifically supporting his re-election campaign. I have heard estimates that this year's Presidential campaign may break the billion dollar mark. Looks like that will be the new market price for the property described above. It is a sad commentary on our government that it is no longer of, by, and for the People. Even the casual observer must conclude that our republic is now controlled by the corporations and their lobbyist. How else can we explain why, only two weeks ago, the Senate failed to remove subsidies for oil companies. These are the most profitable companies in the history of man- and they are getting free money from the tax-payers. (all the "no" votes were from Senators who received major contributions from oil companies) How else can we explain the continuation of tax break after tax break for the richest people and the richest companies.
When I hear that our country is going broke-I just have to laugh. There are ample riches in our country- but the wealth is concentrated with too few people. It is so clear those people would rather give millions to elect politicians (puppets) than give a penny more in taxes. I don't, for one minute, believe these very elite donors give to certain campaigns because they just believe in the person they support. They buy politicians because they want the access and the advantages that go with the money. I often hear both sides chide the other about the money issue. The Democrats complain that the Republicans are trying to buy the election after the Citizen's United decision- and they're right! The Republicans complain the Democrats practice crony-capitalism - and they're right! I'm sure each knows the game, and each plays it with a wink and nod to the other, because that's the system we've allowed to take over. But it is laughable to watch them complain about the corruption in government-each knowing the other is just as guilty of playing the same corrupt game. Most unfortunate is that this game is one only the rich can play- which helps explain the decline of the middle class over the last thirty years.
There is only one way to restore our democracy in the face of the massive influence of money in politics. There is only one reform that will fundamentally change things for the better. All other reforms fall short and cannot deliver the remedy. When we get fed up enough- we must insist on public financing of elections. This will create an even playing field made up of ideas instead of influence. This one reform will stop most of the corruption of our government and lead to the other reforms we need so badly. Anything short of total public financing of elections will always leave room for continued corruption.
Can you imagine a United States where leaders didn't have to ask rich people to finance their elections? That would be a U.S. where we could elect people of conscience and intellect to lead us, instead of electing people beholden to the fat-cats who put them in office. That would be a country where Congress would enact policies for the good of the country- not the corporations that control them once they attain office. That would be a United States led by people dedicated to our ideals again. To do such a thing would be an incredibly bold move- a move that says money is NOT speech and corporations are NOT people.
Movements to do just this have been in existence, but it is so hard to break the old patterns because the ones who would need the courage to do it live in the system with the current rules, and the current corrupting influences . Nonetheless, I'm confident some day all of us will see the wisdom to making this reform. It can only happen with a ground swell of popular support to make it happen. I hope we can come to this conclusion without having to experience another true national political disaster. Some theorize, and I agree, that we already experienced the disaster caused by this type of corruption. We call it the Great Recession- brought to us by the last administration. Until we can fundamentally change our election process the "For Sale" sign is still up at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Thanks for looking in.
Monday, April 2, 2012
My Utopia
"Some men see things as they are and say "why?". I dream things that never were and say, "why not?"
Robert F. Kennedy
Watching the tragic story from Florida unfold and hearing the commentary on that sad killing, I was reminded of thoughts I used to have as I was coming of age in the late 60's and early 70's. My memories of that time included a host of ideas about what the future would look like and how the world would be by the time I reached this age. My vision of the future was so much better than what it turned out be. But who can blame me? Let me tell you about the kinds of influences we had then. The quotation from Kennedy was just a template for our thoughts at that time.
In every respect, the late sixties and early seventies were a time when so many possibilities seemed attainable. Everything, from industry to politics to entertainment, told us that human imagination, and agitation, was at its zenith- that humanity was about to turn the corner on old hatreds and old social conventions- and a new age was about to begin. People, mostly young people, mobilized, demonstrated and got active. We were inspired by great, triumphant events and brought low by horrible violence and sadness on a national level. These two extremes were occurring simultaneously. Just as news of monumental achievements arrived, there was news of another assassination, another riot or another massacre. Even without the 24-hours news cycle we have today it seemed we were inundated with the news events of the day. Somehow it seemed different than the feeling we have today, as we almost sit back and expect the worst, without any expectation of the greatness to temper it. The best news today isn't news of human triumph - but that a new iPAD hit the stores.
I truly believed these events, both good and bad, would most assuredly cause major changes in the world- and the changes would happen in my lifetime. Take for instance the young President Kennedy. This new kind of leader said: we will put a man on the moon. An we did it in eight years just based on his inspiration. He faced down nuclear war and we lived through it. Then, amidst all that hopefulness- he was killed and the nation was profoundly wounded. Then came Johnson who literally willed the passage of the Civil Rights Act and the War on Poverty- only to see his enormous legacy dashed by a useless war in Viet Nam. It was during that time Dr. Martin Luther King inspired hope and led the march for reform so badly needed for a hundred years. He too was killed. The years following his death were marred by riots and violence. Even George Wallace, the old Dixiecrat, was shot by a would-be assassin. To emphasize the rapidity of events: on one June night in 1968 Bobby Kennedy won the California Democratic Primary signifying new hope for a needy nation- only to be gunned down minutes later. Hope and tragedy only foots steps apart. Triumph and despair co-exited in our everyday lives.
It was a time of incredible social innovation. The sixties saw the culmination of Vatican II. A thousand years of liturgy in the Catholic Church changing to include teachings on social justice, personal relevance, and new ways to worship. The color barrier in media began to dissolve. We began to see African Americans in new ways because of specific efforts to make it happen in television programing, even as the streets were burning in the riots. TV shows like Star Trek (a personal favorite of mine) actually showed us a future where men and women served together in equality; where people from every nationality came together for mankind. It was the first depiction of Globalism- and it made sense. The first inter-racial kiss on TV took place in an episode of Star Trek. The stories always had a reference to the lessons of our time, from race relations to war. Logic was revered and the Prime Directive was about tolerance and non-interference. It was fiction, but Roddenberry's imagination told of a world that could be. Even Broadway theatre was changed by the message of "Hair" and the Age of Aquarius. Jesus wasn't the traditional figure of the New Testament, no!- he was a Super-Star. Change was everywhere. Hope was abundant- even amidst chaos.
Against this backdrop of sometimes incredible feats and sometimes tragic events I just knew that advancement would come in great leaps and bounds. I foresaw my version of a better world. I reasoned that burgeoning science would cure disease- cancer would be eradicated. In reality we're getting closer, but there is still so far to go. Today science is sneered at by the greedy and the dogmatic. I thought technology would free man's mind to lofty heights- not enslave it to video games. I thought women would enjoy full social and economic equality by now. But, here and now we are again debating who controls a woman's body- a giant step backwards. I reasoned that with all the losses we suffered from gun violence and assassinations, our people would most certainly know to rid themselves of guns and make a less violent world- that we would learn from our collective losses. In reality the opposite has happened. As one commentator said- all of our recent gun laws promote and expand gun use and ownership, instead limit their violent potential. (even in light of daily horrific shootings) I believed that the racial tumult of the 50's and 60's would lead us to understanding and unity- that we would have to see the futility of racism. Sadly, racism and gun violence continue to live in too many hearts. The confluence of those two evil forces are what we saw in the Trayvon Martin case. It did not occur to me that the notion of "standing your ground" would be valued more highly than the notion of trying harder to live in harmony and justice. I truly thought our society would recognize the intrinsic value of caring for one another and providing for one another and that our national resources would be used to live out that promise. Instead we live in a society who's chief characteristic is a completely lop-sided distribution of wealth that is only getting worse- and the current debate centers on what to cut- not what to build. I never imagined a future with so much wealth concentrated with so few, while human suffering is spreading. I never saw a 21st Century where 60 million of us don't have health care. My utopia was very different because all the lessons of war, poverty, violence and bigotry seemed so plain to see, and correct if we paid attention to the lessons that were so clearly visible. I asked myself how much a people would take- could take- before it would be so widely recognized that change must happen.
As I said, these were boyhood fantasies of a world vision. They were the musings of an adolescent trying to see the world he was about to enter, believing that progressive thinking would lead the way. We had leaders then that inspired our spirit with words that lifted us. I sorely miss that today. But as disappointing as it is to realize my utopia didn't materialize, I still hold on to many of the same hopes. My continued hope springs from the exceptional experience of raising our children. I see in them and their children a renewed belief they can achieve a better world-that these ideas aren't gone forever. I still believe there can be a world where compassion rules over greed, tolerance rules over bigotry, and reason rules over hatred. It just didn't happen as fast I hoped for back then. I continue to see the lessons we should learn from in the sad events of the day, and the promise that our technology, knowledge, and reason suggests for the future- just as I did then. I've come to realize that the struggle to achieve these changes never really ends- its just passes to the next generation to perfect.
"Let no one be discouraged by the belief there is nothing one person can do against the enormous array of the world's ills, misery, ignorance and violence. Few will have the greatness to bend history, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. And in the total of those acts will be written the history of a generation."
Robert F. Kennedy
Thanks for looking in.
Robert F. Kennedy
Watching the tragic story from Florida unfold and hearing the commentary on that sad killing, I was reminded of thoughts I used to have as I was coming of age in the late 60's and early 70's. My memories of that time included a host of ideas about what the future would look like and how the world would be by the time I reached this age. My vision of the future was so much better than what it turned out be. But who can blame me? Let me tell you about the kinds of influences we had then. The quotation from Kennedy was just a template for our thoughts at that time.
In every respect, the late sixties and early seventies were a time when so many possibilities seemed attainable. Everything, from industry to politics to entertainment, told us that human imagination, and agitation, was at its zenith- that humanity was about to turn the corner on old hatreds and old social conventions- and a new age was about to begin. People, mostly young people, mobilized, demonstrated and got active. We were inspired by great, triumphant events and brought low by horrible violence and sadness on a national level. These two extremes were occurring simultaneously. Just as news of monumental achievements arrived, there was news of another assassination, another riot or another massacre. Even without the 24-hours news cycle we have today it seemed we were inundated with the news events of the day. Somehow it seemed different than the feeling we have today, as we almost sit back and expect the worst, without any expectation of the greatness to temper it. The best news today isn't news of human triumph - but that a new iPAD hit the stores.
I truly believed these events, both good and bad, would most assuredly cause major changes in the world- and the changes would happen in my lifetime. Take for instance the young President Kennedy. This new kind of leader said: we will put a man on the moon. An we did it in eight years just based on his inspiration. He faced down nuclear war and we lived through it. Then, amidst all that hopefulness- he was killed and the nation was profoundly wounded. Then came Johnson who literally willed the passage of the Civil Rights Act and the War on Poverty- only to see his enormous legacy dashed by a useless war in Viet Nam. It was during that time Dr. Martin Luther King inspired hope and led the march for reform so badly needed for a hundred years. He too was killed. The years following his death were marred by riots and violence. Even George Wallace, the old Dixiecrat, was shot by a would-be assassin. To emphasize the rapidity of events: on one June night in 1968 Bobby Kennedy won the California Democratic Primary signifying new hope for a needy nation- only to be gunned down minutes later. Hope and tragedy only foots steps apart. Triumph and despair co-exited in our everyday lives.
It was a time of incredible social innovation. The sixties saw the culmination of Vatican II. A thousand years of liturgy in the Catholic Church changing to include teachings on social justice, personal relevance, and new ways to worship. The color barrier in media began to dissolve. We began to see African Americans in new ways because of specific efforts to make it happen in television programing, even as the streets were burning in the riots. TV shows like Star Trek (a personal favorite of mine) actually showed us a future where men and women served together in equality; where people from every nationality came together for mankind. It was the first depiction of Globalism- and it made sense. The first inter-racial kiss on TV took place in an episode of Star Trek. The stories always had a reference to the lessons of our time, from race relations to war. Logic was revered and the Prime Directive was about tolerance and non-interference. It was fiction, but Roddenberry's imagination told of a world that could be. Even Broadway theatre was changed by the message of "Hair" and the Age of Aquarius. Jesus wasn't the traditional figure of the New Testament, no!- he was a Super-Star. Change was everywhere. Hope was abundant- even amidst chaos.
Against this backdrop of sometimes incredible feats and sometimes tragic events I just knew that advancement would come in great leaps and bounds. I foresaw my version of a better world. I reasoned that burgeoning science would cure disease- cancer would be eradicated. In reality we're getting closer, but there is still so far to go. Today science is sneered at by the greedy and the dogmatic. I thought technology would free man's mind to lofty heights- not enslave it to video games. I thought women would enjoy full social and economic equality by now. But, here and now we are again debating who controls a woman's body- a giant step backwards. I reasoned that with all the losses we suffered from gun violence and assassinations, our people would most certainly know to rid themselves of guns and make a less violent world- that we would learn from our collective losses. In reality the opposite has happened. As one commentator said- all of our recent gun laws promote and expand gun use and ownership, instead limit their violent potential. (even in light of daily horrific shootings) I believed that the racial tumult of the 50's and 60's would lead us to understanding and unity- that we would have to see the futility of racism. Sadly, racism and gun violence continue to live in too many hearts. The confluence of those two evil forces are what we saw in the Trayvon Martin case. It did not occur to me that the notion of "standing your ground" would be valued more highly than the notion of trying harder to live in harmony and justice. I truly thought our society would recognize the intrinsic value of caring for one another and providing for one another and that our national resources would be used to live out that promise. Instead we live in a society who's chief characteristic is a completely lop-sided distribution of wealth that is only getting worse- and the current debate centers on what to cut- not what to build. I never imagined a future with so much wealth concentrated with so few, while human suffering is spreading. I never saw a 21st Century where 60 million of us don't have health care. My utopia was very different because all the lessons of war, poverty, violence and bigotry seemed so plain to see, and correct if we paid attention to the lessons that were so clearly visible. I asked myself how much a people would take- could take- before it would be so widely recognized that change must happen.
As I said, these were boyhood fantasies of a world vision. They were the musings of an adolescent trying to see the world he was about to enter, believing that progressive thinking would lead the way. We had leaders then that inspired our spirit with words that lifted us. I sorely miss that today. But as disappointing as it is to realize my utopia didn't materialize, I still hold on to many of the same hopes. My continued hope springs from the exceptional experience of raising our children. I see in them and their children a renewed belief they can achieve a better world-that these ideas aren't gone forever. I still believe there can be a world where compassion rules over greed, tolerance rules over bigotry, and reason rules over hatred. It just didn't happen as fast I hoped for back then. I continue to see the lessons we should learn from in the sad events of the day, and the promise that our technology, knowledge, and reason suggests for the future- just as I did then. I've come to realize that the struggle to achieve these changes never really ends- its just passes to the next generation to perfect.
"Let no one be discouraged by the belief there is nothing one person can do against the enormous array of the world's ills, misery, ignorance and violence. Few will have the greatness to bend history, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. And in the total of those acts will be written the history of a generation."
Robert F. Kennedy
Thanks for looking in.
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