I've been thinking about the god-awful conditions in this world and how they've come about. The role of the United States in this cannot be denied. And yet, it would seem, from looking at surveys, that the violence inflicted on others by our government is not one of the more important issues for my fellow citizens.
These surveys indicate that despite the misery our government is causing; or, in the best case, doing nothing to alleviate around the world, most people are primarily interested in improving conditions for themselves. Affordability is the new buzzword for the political opposition. The most terrible thing about attacking a country on the other side of the world is that it's causing prices to rise. It's not that this could, and should have been handled peacefully.
The misery caused by the arrest and deportation of thousands of our neighbors seems to be barely noticed. It is even applauded by many, and if you hear an objection, it is usually that it is disrupting business or causing inconvenience.
The U.S. is the most prosperous and powerful nation the world has ever seen, and the fact that we have not used that wealth and power to make this a better world, but have acted in what is supposed to be our self-interest, and contributed mightily to the violence and misery we should be working to alleviate, is shameful. This selfishness cannot be without consequences, and it looks to me as if we're beginning to see them coming. I have no doubt that we will learn our lesson, but it will be a hard one.
I have been a voter since I came of age, but have nearly always felt that I was voting for the lesser evil. Trouble is, the lesser evil is still evil.
Why have we not been presented with better alternatives? i think it has to do with the rules of the game, and the fact that it is a game.That fact violates one of my most deeply held beliefs; that there is such a thing as the honest-to-God truth, and that we should seek it, find it, and embrace it wholeheartedly. Self interest is an obvious obstacle to that endeavor, and if the endeavor is serious, must be kept in check.
Not much happening with my music. I've been in a bit of a slump; avoiding some mundane tasks that I know I need to address. I'll get past this. Hopefully, I'll have something to talk about in that regard next month.
Till then,
Richard