11/29/00
The Spiritual Chicks^SM Take Aim!

Who Cares Who Wins the Election?

What’s the Spiritual Side of Party Platforms?

This whole election situation has made me think.  But before I can get down and dirty, I have to put my cards on the table.  I voted for Gore.  While I understand and appreciate the philosophy behind Republican fiscal policy, I have a hard time with their social policy.  It seems hypocritical to me to talk of giving people freedom to invest their own social security money while denying women freedom to govern their own bodies.  On the other hand, if Al Gore is such a man of the people, how come he didn't win the election by a landslide? 

 This election is up in the air because the American people are up in the air.  We don't know who to vote for any more because we're beginning to see our politicians as people like ourselves and it's really disconcerting.  In recent history we elected a B movie actor to be our president because he looked good in the part.  Then we elected his VP cause he was head of the CIA and we had the feeling he'd know how to kick ass overseas if necessary (thank god for smart bombs).  Then we decided it was time for a change and we elected a charismatic sex addict with a brainy but long suffering wife who has since become the junior senator from New York (so long Bill!).  Who's next--a man with a drinking problem and a DUI under his belt or the insecure guy who's afraid to lose?  

The problem isn't the caliber of politicians who run for office.  We are the problem because we're afraid to take off our masks, look in the mirror, and see ourselves (and our leaders) for who we really are: imperfect humans struggling to figure out how to live.  We need to relax, stop judging and start listening.  We're so concerned with the "right" answers that we've forgotten that it's the questions we choose to ask that make us who we are.  I look forward to the day when our politicians reflect our highest dreams and aspirations and don't have to waste all their time acting and covering up their character flaws.  Until then, I'm going underground.

Tami

It’s not about school prayer or the religious right versus the Darwinists.  The predominant spiritual undertone of all the American political parties is fear vs. fear.  For the Republicans it’s fear of losing what rightfully belongs to us; for the Democrats it’s fear that we might not be able to take care of ourselves; for the Green Party it’s fear that the earth will be destroyed; for the Religious Right it’s fear of that almighty vengeful God.  

When we get really involved in issues, as most of us tend to do when we focus on politics, it’s easy to promote our cause at the expense of our well being.  It makes our cause more important or more urgent to emphasize how "bad" the problem is or how "wrong" our opponent is, but what are we saying to ourselves in the process?  That there’s only one right way of doing things, and if it’s not my way, I’m going to be in serious trouble?  This is a horribly limiting notion that keeps us from taking constructive action in our own lives, and we really are in trouble if we believe it.  

Because of the widely varying religious beliefs in the US, and our adherence to separation of church and state, it’s almost taboo to look at politics in a spiritual way.  But that’s just it.  Spirituality in politics is not about the platforms or issues themselves, but about the underlying message conveyed.  If we can get past the scare tactics, there is something to be learned from all sides.  Republicans have a strong message about empowering the people---the proverbial teaching a people to fish rather than handing out free food.  And the Democrats can teach us a thing or two about compassion and social responsibility.  And the list goes on.  While issues and party alignment will always matter in casting your vote, at least you’ll know you don’t have to buy into the karmic fear that can go along with it.

Karen