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The
Deeper Meaning
Is
it possible that, as progressive Americans, we have lost our way?
Have we been so distracted by contentious
issues and politics that we lost touch with the deeper meaning of our
beliefs?
For too long we've let the problems define
themselves, failing to discern their root causes.
While conservatism thrives in such an environment,
liberalism cannot. Why? Because we know that things are never black and
white as they would have us believe. We know that there is more to patriotism
than waving a flag. We know that Americanism is about caring for people,
all people, not just ourselves. We also know that the future depends on
what we do today. We believe in progress, adjusting to world needs as
they change around us. America is not Dow Jones or our Gross National
Product. America is people. Progressivism, or liberalism, fights for them.
What we have to do is remind ourselves
that we do not represent special interests, as conservative would have
everyone believe. We represent the good of the American people. We fight
for their health and safety, the world they live in, no matter what their
income level, race or religion. We cannot let conservatives define us,
or those factions of liberalism so indoctrinated by the clash with conservatism,
that they have lost sight of our moral mandate.
Are we weak on defense? Not at all. But
we restrain ourselves from unjust wars, and prefer non-violent ways of
changing things. Why? Because no matter what success or failure comes
from Iraq down the line, tens of thousands of people, including thousands
of our own, have died. That, to me, is failure.
The issues are about people. Even environmental
concerns are about the land, air and sea that we inherit and then bequeth
to our descendents.
The economy is about the way people trade.
To hear people talk of it, money has a life of its own. This is incorrect.
The market is made up of people making choices, working for a living,
making and purchasing goods. Human integrity should always be part of
this, on every level.
Crime statistics represent the number of illegal acts perpetrated by criminals
upon innocent victims - people once again.
Business down-sizing translates into people
losing their jobs.
Tax increases come out of people's pockets.
Profits made by HMO's often reflect fewer
medical services for people in need.
Who are all these people? Patients? Clients? Consumers? No, there're us!
When we remove ourselves as human beings from the equation, it's no wonder
that the same old problems never get resolved.
As progressives, it's time we focus on
the central issues:
- It's
not always about the economy. But it is, always, about relationships.
- It's
not about law. It's about morality (which is very different).
- It's
not about one ethnicity competing with another. It's about the
human family living together and prospering in peace and
harmony.
- It's
not about broken homes versus intact families. It's about
loving and supportive parents, and respectful children.
- It's
not about school prayer to get us into heaven. It's about sustaining
a personal relationships with God for the betterment of all.
- It's
not about abortion alone. It's about unwanted and teenage pregnancies,
parental neglect, and the growing threat of over-population (as purposely
neglected as global warming was not long ago).
- It's
not about which political party is more adept with slandering
the other. It's about a government that functions for the people,
unimpeded by the personal ambitions of its own leaders.
- It's
not about hatred between the races. It's about fostering love
and respect among Americans within a context of freedom and equality.
- It's
not about a power struggle among religions. It's about people
who want to practice their religion without being persecuted.
- It's
not even about family values. It's about human values,
within the family, and outside the family. Separate the two, and you
invite the kind of schizophrenic society that we suffer from today.
- It's
not about big government versus small government. It's about
good government.
- It's not about ridiculous tabloids, exercising their Constitutional rights.It's about the greed and moral depravity that urge publishers to print lies and scandals; it's about the values of people who pay to read them.
Our problems are complex because people are complex. But people can change
things. They can choose to make better decisions. They can partake more
fully in the political process and insist on better government. Despite
all our complaining and despair, we are the ones who ultimately keep things
the way they are.
The power is in our hands.
