It seems lately that I often find myself straddling the seemingly conflictual worlds of politics and consciousness. There is something really challenging about attempting to write about both of them in relationship to each other. I actually began writing this blog with both consciousness and politics as themes I wanted to pursue. My natural tendency is to seek consciousness and to invite that in others and at the same time read, think and feel often about the ways of politics. What’s clear to me is that we need so much more consciousness in the political process. I will attempt today to again marry the two is this discussion which may speedily end in a messy divorce.
My favorite anti-consciousness characters are Mr. Limbaugh and his band of group thinkers. Here is what the truly conservative magazine the National Review said about them recently:
“Did the Limbaughs, Hannitys, Savages, and Ingrahams lead us to this sorry state of affairs? They surely did. At the very least, by yoking themselves to the clueless George W. Bush and his free-spending administration, they helped create the great debt bubble that has now burst so spectacularly....”
This quote is not from the so-called Liberal media but in fact from a very traditional magazine. The reason I brought this quote to your attention was to show that even people who think very differently can recognize the chaos created by people who lack consciousness. This is not to say that the conservative view of the above magazine is aligned with my consciousness themes but it appears they have the insight to spot thinkers who lack true wisdom and awareness. It is reassuring to me to know that people can still find truth beyond differing points of view.
The truth matters theme has been very forefront in my thinking lately. Chapter two of the Joy Diet by Martha Beck is about sitting quietly every day to hear your own truths. This exploration of seeking your truth is so inspirational to me because it is such a validation for the importance of the work I do professionally and personally. I highly recommend that you find this book and take it on as a journey to consciousness and as a way to be a better citizen of the world.
I want to share here another thought where I can blend politics and consciousness together. The Obama budget according to people who understand is a very progressive shift from the past. My observation is the trust people had in electing Obama president came from a level of higher consciousness both in us the voters and in he and Michelle. This budget heads the nation in a new direction that will continue to expand hope for us all.
Here are some responses to the budget that stirs the hope for me:
Paul Krugman, saying Obama's plan "looks very, very good."
"Elections have consequences. President Obama's new budget represents a huge break, not just with the policies of the past eight years, but with policy trends over the past 30 years. If he can get anything like the plan he announced on Thursday through Congress, he will set America on a fundamentally new course.
. . . .But fears that Mr. Obama would sacrifice progressive priorities in his budget plans, and satisfy himself with fiddling around the edges of the tax system, have now been banished."
Robert Reich added that the budget "represents the biggest redistribution of income from the wealthy to the middle class and poor this nation has seen in more than forty years."
Enjoy the day and join me in being grateful for the truth that will set us all free.