Spirituality, Politics and Opinion

 HAPPY NEW YEAR

If it’s going to be a “happy” New Year, I am determined to not get sucked into the political divisiveness that is steering the debate in our national policy.

   I’ve already read a headline today... an article in Salon, the online magazine, titled: “Why 2013 is going to be awful”, by Alex Pareene; “Here's to a year of austerity, dysfunction, lousy Obama negotiations -- and no ‘Louie’.” the caption reads (bemoaning the cancellation of a Television show). In the article he talks about the political scene with the insight of a high-school locker-room gossip: i.e., Susan Rice was deposed from the Obama administration’s trial balloon as Secretary of State because John McCain “hates her”. And from the other side he comments; the Republican consideration for Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel, is unacceptable to the Right because he is an “anti-Semite”… all personal accusations and not at all based on differences these opposing parties have on policy matters. I have read enough of Alex Pareene to know he seems often to be what he accuses others of: pro-Islamic in his articles and an anti-Semite. He could also easily be accused of hating Republicans (and specifically, John McCain). This is the kind of divisiveness and polarization I will try very hard to transcend this year.

    If I will heal this year, instead of brooding over our differences, I can see what we have in common and, if I argue at all, I am determined that the debate is based on policy and not personal biases. I would (rightly) get flack if I propose that Republicans are evil purveyors of greed, racism, homophobia and environmental destruction. I would also (rightly) get dismissed proposing that Democrats are anti-American wimps that have a socialist agenda with the intention of sapping our national defense of its strength, and destroying the Constitution by taking away our guns. 

   I have opinions on the issues of the day but I am determined to seek solutions and that translates into the promotion of healing rather than the polarization that is so very prevalent in the national dialogue. It is ironic that my two favorite commentators are comedians and not pundits: i.e., Jon Stewart and Dennis Miller. They both look at the issues with a sense of decency and open-mindedness most of the time that is unique. One thing that laughter does that my intellect doesn’t, is that it draws my opinions from the head and brings them to the gut without hatred when the humor isn’t demeaning. It is hard to hate someone that makes me laugh. Today, I base my opinion on the issues and policy and not on hatred.

geo 5,218