Leadership--if you build it, they will come

[Joan Schaefer Richmond]

The Democrats are debating at the moment, and a thought has occurred to me (doubtless I have read it somewhere, so fill me in if it sounds familiar).
As I sit here thinking about which person is the one I want to follow, I find that there isn't one that stands out as a shining beacon. So I am wondering what it might be like to go about it from the other direction.
That is, what kind of government would we like to see? If we could be specific about what our society ought to be like, then maybe out of that sharper vision we could create a candidate who fit the VISION, instead of we ourselves and our vision trying to fit CANDIDATES.
When I say "government," I'm offering it as sort of a short-hand term meaning what we think government is supposed to do. I was reading Ken Wilber's Integral Politics drafts on the NHNE news articles page and I liked his points about Republicans tending to focus on the "interiors" (personal values, work ethics, pull-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps expectations) and Democrats going for "exteriors" (social responsiblity, the role that society plays in people's problems and opportunities, etc.). My dad, a Republican, says, "I worked 70 hours a week for a dollar an hour at a gas station when I was laid off, and if people today are too lazy or think they're too good to take a low-wage job, then let them suffer for it." That's an interior answer to the problem. A democrat would give an "exterior" answer and say, "Just because you had to take poverty wages (in 1967) doesn't mean it's right to make people work so hard and still remain poor. 'Working poor' should be an oxymoron in this country. The government must establish a fair, living wage so that anyone who is willing to work does not have to live in fear of losing decent housing, food, and medical care."
I don't know where I am anymore. Being a "both/and" kind of person, I see the sense of both perspectives. I don't see why you have to sacrifice one for the other. So what does a government (of the people, by the people, for the people -- not some Other force out there) look like that integrates both of these perspectives, without privileging one or the other? If you want to take still another approach to the question/s (but not if you're not grappling Wilber, of course), what might a teal or turquoise government look like (or at least a post-conventional green)?
I'm going to think about this Some More, but I'd love to hear other people talk about this topic. And yes, my topic sort of wanders, but take it where it leads *you*.

[WordSpirit]

Hi Joan -

Well, I've not yet read Ken Wilbur's piece, although I've read some of his stuff - but I shall.

For me - child of the working class (used to be upper middle class or something like that some year when ago) - I've gotten to the point in my political awareness where all politicians begin to morph into one, one-celled being, with all the cah-cah inside oozing out at appropriate times in order to keep we 'consumers' sedated.

My Mum was from a Republican family who turned Democrat in South Philly, because the Dems came around to see how they were doing and the Republicans didn't. I remember vividly - at 10 years old - pulling the tiny levers of the practice Shoop machine outside the 48th ward of my italian/irish/used to german neighborhood...where the ward leaders would take the old italian women into the voting booths, advising them, in italian, that they were only to happy to assist them...(the precursor of the computer, non-paper backup, voting machines of today.)

My Dad grew up poor and quit school early to care for his family & siblings - and never stopped. Went back to school at 50 to learn a new trade. He was an everyday man doing extraordinary things...and the best he knew how. Dad was always a Democrat. He cried when Dubya won/stole the election.

I honestly think that whether Dem or Rep, that personal values, hard work at whatever honest job one can find - as well as social awareness - are not keynotes of any one party. I do know, that as I watch Washington, I see an administration that makes Nixon look like an altar boy...and I see Democrats who appear to have talked a lot and now are not producing.

I also see a press that contains no newspeople by & large - cowed into living on their knees before the cattle prods of the powerful (God bless Amy Goodman, Democracy Now and Link TV.)

And...at the end of the day, it's all about us, yes? We are no longer referred to as "citizens", rather "Consumers." I tell my students not to believe anything, but to do their own research - then begin to make some decisions (actually I tell most folks that - some days I'd like to have one of those funny hats that has a small neon sign on it with a pull chain that causes it to light up and say, "Do your own research!"

But I have hope. Because one by one, we are coming together...the ONEness folks...the ones who say "Be impeccable with your word" (thanks Don Miguel)...the ones who say, "If not You, Who? If not Now, When?" (thanks, Neale.)...and we grow - and communicate - and celebrate - and volunteer - and communicate.

Thank, Joan, for your wisdom share - which allowed me the moment to put out a few random thoughts.

Namaste.
Pace, Fun & Learning to Tango

[Marilyn Mehlmann]

Even though this discussion is couched in US terms, it seems to have wider relevance. So here are some random European contributions.

- About creating the vision, Joan - YES, that's exactly how it works in my experience. So someone must have been envisioning what we currently have? You bet. Powerfully, at that. Why don't 'we' do it too? There are great people, methods and even visions around. Warren Ziegler (bless him) was one of those who devoted a lifetime to helping people craft their individual and collective visions, and evolving methods from watching/helping them.

- About the responses of Rep and Dem to the unemployed: don't you think they're both just covering up for the fact that they've colluded to create a society in which there are not even outrageously (below the breadline) low-paid jobs for all? Not because this is or was inevitable, but because it suits their purposes.

So hey Wordspirit - I have to agree it's about us. It feels really important to keep doing what I can, each day. It feels great to know you're there (here!) too - as well as millions of others.

What about the visions? I have a personal vision. I've had it since the mid 80s:
I want to live in a world where people - all people - find it natural and joyful to live in harmony with themselves, with each other, and with our planet.

This is my lithmus paper: when I'm asked or moved to do something, I ask myself whetherit could bring that world closer, or make it clearer.

Of course the REAL test is the first phrase. In this age, how to learn to live in harmony with myself?

Well, just some musings from Minsk. Off to meet some teachers...