Four years ago, I viewed the world with disdain and distrust. I had a hard time existing in the world because I had never learned how to be honest with myself. I did not know how to look at my faults, and as a result, I did not understand how much of my suffering was self-imposed. I had projected my issues onto the world – which is, indeed, riddled with problems.
I began to cling to newly presented political ideas as a means of escape, and also as a means of caring for my fellow sufferers. I had already depended heavily on resources lent to me, and I had shifted carelessly from job to job, always bitter at myself for lacking determination, but always blaming someone or something else.
Both of these are true regarding our current system:
- It failed to provide a meaningful existence through the popular paths presented.
- It refused to reward me for existing.
The first indicates a broader issue with our cultural and personal values, which are reflected in our marketplace, institutions, political process, and politicians. The second illustrates the real reason for my bitterness. I'm noting these things here because, while I do not blame the system for the same things I used to, there are serious failures it carries with it. Most of these are not popular to discuss.
In 2015, I felt sheer terror. The rich were going to extort America unless we did something about it. Anger swelled up within me, and it only seemed fair that we went out and took our government back for the people. For the first time, I felt hope: free education and health care for all. Higher taxes for a healthier people. Be like Sweden. Fix the system!
It took years for me to realize that our system is merely an outgrowth of our mindset, and our mindset cannot be cured by the outgrowth. Rather, we must become aware of our inner state and then interact with the outside world in a way that facilitates betterment, both of self and of environment. The only way to do this is if you are as free to move about as possible. We must voluntarily act in accordance with harmonious principles. These values are much better instilled in communities and families than through institutions. While institutions have their role for the betterment of society, they can still become filled with those of poor character who sway the rules in their favor. This is precisely why we took power away from dictators by designing a fixed, stable system that has been eroded by granting more and more power to individuals (whether voters or politicians) to have a say over what others can or can't do.
As happened in Rome, people have lost faith due to gridlock. Nowadays, "a government by the people" means that you should promote someone who promises to give you what you want, rather than what is best for stability. Many opponents claim that they are representing what is truly needed for stability - they don't see how the universally unpopular is what's needed. That "universally unpopular" is the removal of the right of authority over others.
We no longer care (if we ever did) about electing people who know what it takes to tend to the health of the nation. Instead, politicians are expected to "fight for their constituents" and because we are a diverse people" means that things rarely get done. When they do get done, the pockets of the population who are unhappy with it vow to fight. Nowhere in this is care for the health of the whole. Instead, we are taught to conquer others by "wi"" a political war.
You want to fight for what you want? You'll split us right down the middle. We need philosophers and historians and ethically sound people in charge, and we won't get them, because we will not look at ourselves, and we are unwilling to do what is tough and necessary.
On either side of the political spectrum, there is terror. The left is terrified of losing access to the resources it needs to sustain itself (hint: the resources aren't there, and there will be a violent realization). The right is being hunted, especially by fiery youngsters who only know what they've been told. Stoke the fire in the young ones to train an army. The right is terrified of losing what they have.
Those who generally avoid political allegiances are saying the same thing: we are headed for something disastrous, and not because Trump is president. While everyone is bickering over abortion or gay marriage or what to ban or what to allow, we are speeding towards a cliff. We could have built a bridge if we had managed our resources carefully, but that would have required collective sacrifice and honest politicians.
I refuse to participate in the war rallies of either party (it's easier for me to see them on the left than the right, but there is plenty of ignorance to go around). Neither side has a chance of getting through the legislation needed to deal with the financial problems we have. It would be the equivalent of the parents saying “Kids, this is going to be tough, but we're going to have to downsize, stop eating out, cut the cable, chop our own firewood, and deal with our discomfort except in emergencies.” Most of the population is not prepared to do that. That is why I am trying to ally myself with those who are, and if you care for the coming storm, you will too. Winter is definitely coming.
