I have admitted my idealistic propensities. Because of those, I have always been enthused and inspired by some of the founding documents of America. Last year I wrote for a week or more about those. I’m going to do a bit more of discovering literature that pertains to the early history of the United States in the next few days.
I would clarify my emotions, though. I am not as excited and enthusiastic about July 4 as I have been throughout most of my life. The reasons for that are twofold but related. The course of the political scene over the past year or so sickens, disgusts, and alarms me, in addition to dampening my spirits. This current executive branch and his support staff, cabinet choices, and advisers include some who are clueless, some who are manipulative, Ego-driven oligarchs, and some who have no competency, respect, or savvy in their assigned positions. This leads to the second reason my enthusiasm has waned considerably this year. Blind nationalism that assumes superiority over minorities and other nations — the “I’m right, they’re wrong; I’m bigger and stronger and will tell you what to do” mentalities — is worthless shit to me. Part of that has been embodied in the “make America great again” mentality. This spawns two questions: What is the definition of great? When did that occur? The phrase is a meaningless, trite, stupid manipulation playing on that blind nationalism theme. Some may wonder exactly where I do stand. Let me make it clear. I am an idealist. So were the sentiments and philosophies of much of the literature and of the Founders of this nation. They, like all of us, definitely had Ego and expressed it in their lives and work at times. However, in my opinion, the unique thing about the establishment of this nation as captured especially in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution is they are based on idealistic vision and constructed so that we could function in idealism of Heart-energy. However, the framers of those documents and others of the time understood that Ego could easily dominate the workings of individuals and nations, so they put safeguards in them. Yet, the hypocrisy created by Ego inserting protections against the full expression of Heart shows through, and in that I see the wisdom of the checks and balances so deftly woven into the Constitution. In John Dickinson’s and Thomas Jefferson’s declaration on the “Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, July 6, 1775” adopted at the beginning of the Second Continental Congress, about a year before the Declaration of Independence, one of these hypocrisies arise: “We have counted the cost of this contest, and find nothing so dreadful as voluntary slavery. — Honor, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us” (Miller and Parrish 117). Does that mean that forced slavery is better, more acceptable, more full of “humanity?” Didn’t all people receive freedom from their ancestors somewhere in the past? Subjugation is not a natural state of any race, ethnicity, or culture. These founders saw that slavery presented a hypocrisy. That’s why slaves are addressed in the Constitution. It’s why the amendment system was put into the Constitution. That’s why we can be quite assured that the Constitution was intended to be a malleable, adaptable, living document. The further moral problem in the Causes and Necessity document comes with these words: “…being with one mind resolved to die freemen rather than to live slaves” (Miller and Parrish 118). How could this be the drive to prepare for and then declare war when they forcefully disregarded as humans fellow creatures? Hypocrisy. George Washington knew it. In a personal letter about slavery, he said, “I hope it will not be conceived…that it is my wish to hold the unhappy people…in slavery. I can only say that there is not a man living, who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of it; but there is only one proper and effectual mode by which it can be accomplished, and that is by legislative authority…” (Miller and Parrish 229). Yet, the colonies were ready to take up arms. Yes, they had tried other avenues. I show this only to say that the issue was present from the very beginning, and while an ideal condition was expressed, Ego-energy prevented significant action for another ninety years or so. And this brings me back to my idealism. I think when issues are recognized, action needs to be taken, action based on the documents that captured the possibility and course of Heart-energized idealists. In fact, Ego-driven oligarchs such as are asserting dominance now have no place in governing a country with the basis of Heart built into it. It’s why we have a Bill of Rights, and it’s interesting that the first amendment is under assault directly right now because of a rank egotist. You know, I’m leaving it here tonight. More to come. I will say this once again: the encouragement and opportunity for each one to live Heart-truth based on the value of each person is built into America’s founding documents, one being the Declaration of Rights, written a few months before the Declaration of Independence and profoundly influenced that document as well as the Bill of Rights. In Section 1, George Mason wrote these words: “That all men are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inherent rights…” (Miller and Parrish 124). Like I said, beautiful and idealistic, and that should be the spirit of our elected leaders. It’s not so common right now. Blessings! (Work Cited: Miller, Joel J. and Parrish, Kristen, eds. The Patriot’s Reference. Nashville, TN: Nelson Books, 2014. Print.)
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Confessions: 1. It’s late and I’m tired. 2. I’m definitely an idealist, to the point that it affects the way I view the world — past, present, and possible future. I am not apologetic for who I am; however, I am a bit in reference to my relationships with others when my views are misunderstood. I know I’m in a vast minority because of my extreme idealism.
Why am I this way? I look at life the way I envision it could be, the way I could be. Initially, I overlook the baser side of humanity and myself. It’s not a purposeful outlook, really; on the other hand, why choose negativity? To avoid being hurt? To mitigate loss? To limit failure? Yeah, I do choose idealism. The drawbacks to this consist of problems in assuming others think like me. They don’t, not in general. Then, through Heart-energy, I seek to shine light on my way of thinking. I would not presume to claim I am right or have the answers, but I will say I am speaking my truth. I would also say I write it in love, with passion and compassion for others. Therefore, when I write about issues as I have this past week concerning environmentalism, I present from a Heart of love my understanding of motives, energies that are manifesting, and my considered opinions. When it comes to social and political issues, it may sound as if I am promoting one political or ideological viewpoint over another. Sometimes, in practical expression, it turns out that way. In terms of American politics, more often than not, I am examining and reacting to current situations, no matter which political party is involved. Let me be clear tonight, though, that the current party in power, Republicans, whom I have identified with in the past, are by and large a major disgrace to the United States. Ideologically, I think back to founding principles of this nation as expressed in public documents, especially the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Many of those backing the ideals promulgated in those documents accepted practices such as slavery as part of life. Shame on Jefferson and Washington and many others. I know the arguments; I understand those contemporary issues. The thing is, many following Heart rejected such inhumanity. The leaders, in many instances, were a rank oligarchy wishing to preserve their own property and maintain control, and they were wrong — but not about everything. I say all this on the verge of all the Fourth of July celebrations, which I value because of my idealism. If you have read any of my work, you know how highly I regard the Declaration of Independence and the value of the Constitution as a living, malleable document meant to preserve freedoms and rights in the face of dictators and oligarchs. These documents had a view to freedom of life and expression, and at least the Founders understood that we don’t all agree and that circumstances change. The checks and balances built into the government are meant to maintain that (Mr. President). This brings me to the points of tonight, briefly now. When this power-crazed, control-freak current Republican Party puts profits and their own fundamental christian morals ahead of the environment and rights of millions upon millions of others, it is time to call them out. The latest that I saw just in the last thirty-six hours or so consist of two items directly attributable to their mindset. It is not okay to call an environmental plan for the restoration and repopulation of the critically endangered Mexican gray wolf a “draft recovery plan” when the Republican-based authors list “the populations size and range of this subspecies in the Southwest” to exclude “millions of acres of suitable habitat near Grand Canyon, north of the current recovery area, and [put] an artificial cap on population size” that “will limit real recovery of this species to a state-managed token animal instead of allowing it to fulfill its important role in maintaining ecosystem health” (https://nywolf.org/feds-recovery-plan-puts-politics-before-science/). Knowing the positive impact and effect of restored wolf populations in other areas such as Yellowstone National Park means nothing to these profit-motive dunderheads. They are despicable in posing that they care about our future. (Once again, if you think that current economy and jobs are more important than ecosystems, you are part of the problem that will doom the decay of humanity. You need to read Rachel Carson’s works as well as Barbara Kingsolver’s essays.) Then, in a second article that directly relates to my Wednesday and Thursday articles this week, major, significant, far-ranging scientific studies, independent of selfish, dumbass corporation scientists in concerns like Monsanto and Bayer AG, have shown that a major group of pesticides used globally, neonicotinoids, kills bees. Oh, you scientists out there who support this, don’t start shouting about your studies that are done in laboratories and say otherwise. Be honest and be real and look at the far-ranging devastation of these compounds in situ. Think back to the assurances given by “scientists” about the safety of things like DDT and bacillus thurengensis.Destruction of ecosystems and environments for the sake of economy, wealth, control, and power are reprehensible crimes against humanity. (Check out http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/neonicotinoid-pesticides-slowly-killing-bees/). See, I told you I’m an idealist. I say find another way to provide jobs. The problem is the informal conspiracy of a select oligarchy convince their imbecile minions that all this reasoning is not only valid but also patriotic, moral, and righteous. No, the decisions to distribute poisons when other alternatives exist, to threaten ecosystems, to destroy rainforests, to ignore and continue to subject minorities who control rights to lands and resources (I’m talking the Dakota Access Pipeline and the stealing of lands from Indigenous People) — none of these things are justified, necessary, okay, right, or good. Unless you care only about yourself. And this brings me to my final point tonight. Individuals act based on Ego or Heart. Ego-energy presents in all of the things I write in opposition to tonight. I won’t even say it’s wrong. I will say it’s foolish, thoughtless, and filled with hatred and immorality. So, if that’s the way you want to go, you will be filled with those things. I will stick with Heart and expose those Ego-energies and live in my idealism, knowing that alternatives exist in each and every case to the stupid, selfish, reprehensible actions of those promoting and justifying and supporting in any way (yes, law enforcement included here) the agenda of those who destroy and degrade. I know it can be different. In retrospect, while my idealism may not be a majority mindset, it isn’t unrealistic. Blessings as you consider these issues! |
Questions to consider:How many times have you asked yourself or simply thought about the following questions?
Who am I, really? What is my truth? How do my actions reveal what I really feel and believe? What would I do with my life if I could do anything? What is my passion? Why am I here? How can I discover answers to any of these questions? If you have considered any of these questions, I hope that my experiences and writing will give you some guidance. Please read my blog and comment and share your thoughts. I would love to hear from you! Archives
December 2019
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