Government, politics, and elections. Boring, right? Nothing we can do, right? “Why vote?”, people say, “What difference would it make?” You might argue that the political arena is corrupt, or that government has grown irrelevant. I know these beliefs well; I held them myself. One day I realized that these very beliefs were not helpful. They were not in alignment with my intention to help create an enlightened planetary civilization.
In forming our government the Founding Fathers wrote the U.S. Constitution to protect the liberties of the individual from outside forces and to ensure that these liberties were safe from oppression by the government itself. The Constitution, (based, in part, on the writings of Charles de Montesquieu [1]) represents the ideals of our government. These ideals were developed from centuries of lessons from European, Colonial, and State governments. Widely recognized as a pinnacle achievement in the use and balance of power, our Constitution, serves as a model for developing nations.
Yet, who is responsible when the ideals of our government no longer match its expression? Who is to blame when government no longer serves individuals, but rather special interests? The answer: we all are.
The tenet “one person, one vote” lies at the core of democracy. Each adult may cast a vote towards electing government representatives, yet almost 2 out of 3 people do not vote in our presidential elections.
Today, we have “chosen” a government that places the needs of influential special interest groups (multinational corporations) above the needs and safety of people and the planet. We have a revolving door game going on in Washington: executives leave companies (like Monsanto) to work in the government (like the FDA). There they draft legislation on topics of self-interest to their former employers. After a few years on the government payroll, the executive returns to the private sector. This common practice sheds some light on how our own government has been incredibly supportive of genetically-engineered foods.
Why do so many of us choose to ignore politics? Are we really apathetic to issues of liberty and justice? Marianne Williamson writes in The Healing of America that after the shooting of our beloved statesman, Robert Kennedy, we collectively lost our passion for liberty. We were pacified—put to sleep—with the pleasures, toys, and conveniences of the modern world. We do live in incredibly prosperous and safe times. Most of our physical desires can be satisfied with a trip to the mall or by surfing the internet. However, spiritual fulfillment cannot be purchased from a web site, nor won on a game show (“Who wants to be a Spiritual Being?”).
What do I mean by spiritual fulfillment? When we let go of the ego—the desiring and resisting part of ourselves—we experience a quiet peace, a peace that goes beyond words. In that place, there is only love. This love goes beyond the needs of the ego and recognizes that when another suffers, we share that suffering.
Millions of people are waking up to the realization that the problems of their brothers and sisters are not being handled, or even recognized. Countless millions suffer from malnutrition, poverty, and disease. Countless others are politically oppressed, their basic right of free speech threatened with lawsuits, imprisonment, torture, or death. Mother Earth herself suffers at the hands of industrialists and technologists that ruthlessly exploit her for next quarters’ profits.
I encourage you to open your hearts and minds and look for solutions. Reflect on the profound link between spirituality and politics. Neale Donald Walsch (bestselling author of Conversations with God and Friendship with God) reminds us that politics is simply “spirituality expressed.” [2] What can be a higher expression of our spirituality than to ensure the basic rights of individuals to live freely?
I encourage you to become aware of a new political party, The Natural Law Party. [3] The Natural Law Party and their U.S. presidential candidate John Hagelin, Ph.D. (a Harvard-trained quantum physicist) embrace sustainable solutions like preventive healthcare, not disease-management. [4] They have rekindled my passion for creating a safe, sane civilization.
John Hagelin has also garnered the support of the Reform Party and his grassroots wave is overcoming incredible obstacles to getting on the ballot in all 50 states. Join the wave; support this new movement in breaking the stranglehold of the two-party system! Help bring compassion and wisdom back to the leadership of this nation.
The choice is yours.
Tony
NOTES:
[1] Spirit of Laws by Charles de Montesquieu, (1748, tr. Thomas Nugent 1752). The Liberty Library of Constitutional Classics: http://www.constitution.org/liberlib.htm publishes the full text of this classic work online.
[2] “Spirituality & Politics: An Uncommon Dialogue”, a lecture by Neale Donald Walsch and John Hagelin, Ph.D., April 24, 2000, Richardson Civic Center.
[3] A Reason to Vote by Robert Roth, (1998). Turn to page 42 for a book review.
[4] Read about the party platform on the web-site: www.natural-law.org
About Tony Cecala
Tony is a business strategist. He publishes the Holistic Networker and produces the Wellness Expo. In his spare time he reads about technology and the mind.
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