"I am relieved that I am not smart enough to be a politician. Some people would not recognize integrity even if it was staring them in the face. "
Desmond Mpilo Tutu
I have been struggling for some time with the state of governance in this country. I have completely lost the idealism of my youth for I know now that it was built on the lies and obfuscations of teachers, textbook writers and those in power. Something I read recently brought this home to me in a new and affirming way. “History making (which includes history denying) is a cultural invention….History tends to be ‘made’ by those who dominate – by chiefs, noblemen and kings and then universalized to celebrate their heroes and to silence dissent.” Well, here it is in a nutshell! Having been a political science major and history minor in college, I was wondering how I had missed this. I saw how convincingly I had allowed myself to be brainwashed into believing an American history painted in patriotic terms while our nefarious deeds both at home and abroad were glossed over with a fine gesso.
In reality, politics not governing has run the show all along. It has always been about backroom deals with the good of the common people seldom the priority. Always there have been rascals in government – those for whom ego, influence, and money have governed their actions. There have been times when there have been statesmen in government – those for whom service has been a lofty ideal and for whom building coalitions across the aisle for the common good has been the goal. But now that I have lived through Vietnam, Watergate, the Gulf Wars, the Clinton years, 9/11 and its aftermath, I am no longer surprised by the actions of presidents, senators, representatives or justices. I realize it is all just politics – partisan and factional gamesmanship. It is not about us, the people, but about personal and party power, using that power to guarantee re-election in one’s gerrymandered district, and raising money for others in one’s party so as to insure a majority of red or blue states.
I have moved from anger to cynicism, from participation to discouragement with thoughts of opting out of the entire process. I cannot quite bring myself to the latter for I think we get the government that we deserve and there has to be something better than what we have presently. So this is what I am choosing to do for now. First, I try not to get caught up into the day-to-day news. In the 24/7 news cycle, news organizations have to make news and keep it going minute by minute. Yes, this sells their products and it tends to keep everyone stirred up on an issue until another issue arrives to be fed upon by the media. Second, I am taking a longer view – sooner or later the system will implode or explode. I hope it is the former but if it is the latter then that will be what is needed in order to have a more reasoned and reasonable system of government. My concern is what will evolve post-implosion or post-explosion. This is why I speak about common ground and the fact that we are all in this together. We are all part of the circle. Third, in all branches of government, I am looking for statesmen or stateswomen. Who will step forward and put aside ego for the good of us all? Who will be the coalition builders? Who will have the courage to not kowtow to party and money? Who will have the courage to speak hard truths, to vote with conscience and heart, to hold true to the deepest of the human spirit, and honor the circle of all that is here on this Earth?
I am still looking and I am not going to give up hope. Will you join in?
Desmond Mpilo Tutu
I have been struggling for some time with the state of governance in this country. I have completely lost the idealism of my youth for I know now that it was built on the lies and obfuscations of teachers, textbook writers and those in power. Something I read recently brought this home to me in a new and affirming way. “History making (which includes history denying) is a cultural invention….History tends to be ‘made’ by those who dominate – by chiefs, noblemen and kings and then universalized to celebrate their heroes and to silence dissent.” Well, here it is in a nutshell! Having been a political science major and history minor in college, I was wondering how I had missed this. I saw how convincingly I had allowed myself to be brainwashed into believing an American history painted in patriotic terms while our nefarious deeds both at home and abroad were glossed over with a fine gesso.
In reality, politics not governing has run the show all along. It has always been about backroom deals with the good of the common people seldom the priority. Always there have been rascals in government – those for whom ego, influence, and money have governed their actions. There have been times when there have been statesmen in government – those for whom service has been a lofty ideal and for whom building coalitions across the aisle for the common good has been the goal. But now that I have lived through Vietnam, Watergate, the Gulf Wars, the Clinton years, 9/11 and its aftermath, I am no longer surprised by the actions of presidents, senators, representatives or justices. I realize it is all just politics – partisan and factional gamesmanship. It is not about us, the people, but about personal and party power, using that power to guarantee re-election in one’s gerrymandered district, and raising money for others in one’s party so as to insure a majority of red or blue states.
I have moved from anger to cynicism, from participation to discouragement with thoughts of opting out of the entire process. I cannot quite bring myself to the latter for I think we get the government that we deserve and there has to be something better than what we have presently. So this is what I am choosing to do for now. First, I try not to get caught up into the day-to-day news. In the 24/7 news cycle, news organizations have to make news and keep it going minute by minute. Yes, this sells their products and it tends to keep everyone stirred up on an issue until another issue arrives to be fed upon by the media. Second, I am taking a longer view – sooner or later the system will implode or explode. I hope it is the former but if it is the latter then that will be what is needed in order to have a more reasoned and reasonable system of government. My concern is what will evolve post-implosion or post-explosion. This is why I speak about common ground and the fact that we are all in this together. We are all part of the circle. Third, in all branches of government, I am looking for statesmen or stateswomen. Who will step forward and put aside ego for the good of us all? Who will be the coalition builders? Who will have the courage to not kowtow to party and money? Who will have the courage to speak hard truths, to vote with conscience and heart, to hold true to the deepest of the human spirit, and honor the circle of all that is here on this Earth?
I am still looking and I am not going to give up hope. Will you join in?