I’ve been concerned, and over the last 30 years it has been
an increasing concern. In fact, I've been writing about this for years, the
widening political division. We’ve always had it, but I do remember when it
wasn’t so in our face, so vicious and full of a deep stubbornness that holds us
back from understanding each other. We can debate the causes and the beginning
point, but I do remember while Reagan was president the media seemed to stretch
more and more into opinion instead of mere reporting. Then we all know what
ended up happening. Media companies took up sides, deciding what to omit and
what to embellish.
We start politically
rubber-banding in sometimes exaggerated ways. Stretching and straining into
imbalance from liberal and conservative administrations and imbalanced media
coverage. If this imbalance is deep enough, the most inflamed sectors of the
populace act out, sometimes leading to violence.
I'd like to present
what a balanced governance would look like. I believe we've had it before, if only
sporadically. Right now, it is as if we think we can only have either
conservative or liberal policies. It isn't supposed to be this way.
Warning, I'm
going to get real politically incorrect, bringing up the masculine and feminine
ways of approaching governance, and the huge benefits as well as disadvantages
of both. Both are sorely needed.
What a conservative
position stands for in a balanced, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual way:
1) The conservative model represents male
energy, or patriarchal, in its approach to managing, guiding and encouraging a
people.
2) The ideal goal is to allow people the
freedom and space to create their own dreams and provide the open doors to
pursue that.
3) There is a strong belief that if a
government aids people in need over and above what is essential in an emergency
situation, the country will be fostering a state of dependence in such people.
(welfare state)
4) To help those in dire need is a necessity
for a government, but to continue that help when the person is able-bodied only
takes away that person’s means to achieve self-fulfillment and self-esteem as
well as a sense of accomplishment.
5) To enable a group of individuals to
remain on more aid than is necessary for survival weakens society and allows a
segment of the population to become a burden when in fact they could be
productive given responsibility for themselves.
6) Capitalism is the best form of economic
base for a country and it will enable prosperity to the broadest number of
people.
7) Supply and demand in a free society will
of its own accord will be the fairest system to all, pricing goods and services
more equitably than any government could.
(Based on the belief
of Adam Smith in 1776, ‘A Wealth of Nations’ which influenced our Declaration
of Independence)
8) Underlying these beliefs is the basic
belief that people given free rein will rise to their full capabilities.
9) This is very much like the father’s form
of parenting, giving the children more responsibility, playing a bit tough, but
being there for support of the helpless.
10) The government is ready to protect during
real or perceived threats.
When this form of
governing gets out of balance, just like a father too stern or removed from the
children, it can grow toward one end of the spectrum creating lack in other
areas. In the effort to protect the masses and put resources there, there could
be a lack of nurturing and respect of the people, the environment and the small
businesses. Funding can get lop-sided
toward the male energy type activities, too much of the resources going giving
it more authority, territorial rights, defense, etc. Aggression can be a knee
jerk reaction to problems. Businesses may grow irresponsibly, ignoring the
byproducts of their wastefulness and lack of ecological awareness as well as an
understanding of the needs of the individual workers.
What a liberal
position stands for in a balanced, emotional, intellectual and spiritual way:
1) Conversely to the conservative model, the
liberal model represents female energy, or maternal in its approach to
managing, guiding and nurturing a people.
2) The ideal goal is to create a safe, healthy
environment that is rich in experience and gives everyone an opportunity to
become what they want to be.
3) There is a strong belief that if the
government shows the people it’s ability to be there for them, have safety nets
in place, caring for the poor, aged, disadvantaged, discriminated against, and
ill, that this is a sign of success.
4) To lack taking sufficient care of the
less fortunate will bring an eventuality of more crime, hopelessness and
despair. The gulf between the poor and wealthy will grow.
5) To have a government that brings speedy
aid to the less fortunate will allow those individuals, with government
programs assisting them, become productive citizens of society and, in the end,
off government assistance.
6) Capitalism may be the best form of
economic base, but the government must be vigilant in making sure it is fair to
all.
7) Sometimes supply and demand isn’t fair to
all and the government can and should equal things out for everyone.
8) Underlying these beliefs is the basic
belief that we are our brother’s keeper. We are all ultimately responsible for
the welfare of our people and the world where we can help.
9) This, obviously, is very much like the
mother’s form of parenting, very nurturing, helpful, listening, and being
supportive in the direction the individuals want to go in.
10) This government is ready to nurture and
protect its weakest segment of society.
When this form of
governing gets out of balance, just like a mother that is too permissive or too
helpful, it can create divisions of the people. The people that work hardest
and create the most success can be penalized by a heavy tax burden to support
an ever-growing dependent population. Too much rescuing robs them of the
opportunity to develop self-reliance, find out what they are innately capable
of, thereby never attaining their potential or self-fulfillment. Their
offspring becomes entangled in the web of government agencies without hope of
escaping.
In both of the
extreme scenarios there would be an eventual outcome of an exhausted,
over-expended state, somewhat similar to single parenting!
A person in balance
has an opportunity to improve, and raise his or her consciousness.
A person out of
balance has fewer options available, being seemingly held down by unknown
outside forces, which is an illusion. The country is a macrocosm of this.
The balance is
created by the individuals, all of us; enabling our capacity for nurturing and
discipline within ourselves and each other.
We, of course, need both attributes in a society. With balance, peace,
fortitude, both caring and responsibility, we can create a vibrant, healthy
populace that offers the fertile ground for all to grow. If humanity continues
to thrive on this planet there will inevitably be an evolution resulting in the
merging of these attributes in ourselves and our government, assisting the
needy and fostering self-reliance.
We can see it in
individuals right now. We are developing more awareness, use of our potential
and certainly moving into a more whole-brained way of life. It is a matter of
consciousness being raised above the polarization of society.
