So, I'm thinking this morning about the phrase 'And may the best man win'.
The best man didn't win. And for one simple reason; he didn't run.
In fact, there are two Americas. There is the solutions that work side, and the whatever sounds good works, side.
The soutions side had no dog in this hunt.
I'm beginning to think that the last time solutions that work meant something was around 1776.
I am no political scholar, nor a historian. I can speak only from my own political experience...
The problem is bigger, even, than a lack of someone to communicate.
The problem is....no one agrees on the problem.
A system that upholds individual liberty and freedom is a problem for those who have no idea how to handle that freedom, and therefore, expects someone to provide for them.
A system that provides for the people is a problem to those that know that all men were created with the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness....and the liberty filled pursuit of happiness is the key to that happy life.
The challenge then is, to see that there are TWO needs, based on two sides, that complete the whole.
One would think that having two opposing views would help meet ALL the needs, right?
Yes. Profoundly. If you understand both sides are VALID and NECESSARY to the WHOLE, you will have all the tools you need to solve all the problems.
There is one key phrase, though, that has been lost in the polarization created by those who care only about power;
Both sides are NECESSARY, and therefore valid, to the whole.
If man's basic needs come down to the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, then it takes cooperation to achieve it.
The man who is starving is not helped in the long run by giving him food. But his immediate and VALID need is met.
The man who is starving is not relieved in the moment by giving him the ability to feed himself. He cannot do that if he is dead. But his long term and VALID need is met.
Well. One would think, then, the compassionate 'meet the need' people and 'provide the framework for the man's long term needs' people would be a perfect fit, right?
BEautifully. YES!
But not if they keep pushing each other away.
There MUST be at least enough respect for the validity of each vision for the two to meet and work together.
And here, then, is where American has gone wrong.
The compassionate has decided they are right, and the whole world should be the way they are. If not, they have no use for them.
The framework people think they are right, and the whole world should revolve around the process of industry.
Sadly, neither system can work on its own. So...either way, the man dies.
Together, though, the man can thrive.
Remember this the next time you villify the opposing side. You actually NEED what they have to offer. Along with what you have to offer, you both thrive. Alone, you die.
Sadly, BOTH sides have to agree on this. In both political parties, there are individuals that live there. But the system has forgotten it, and is now doomed to fail.
Those of us that know the value along with the founding fathers, of the NECESSITY of the checks and balances provided by the respectful and practical use of the different sides of the whole cannot help but mourn at the current villification both sides employ, for the valuable and beautiful differences.
This is the true value of diversity; completeness. Wholeness. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
As Rodney King said....Can't we all get along?
Apparently not.