Responsibility

The crux of any personal practice for good is taking responsibility for oneself and one's actions in the context of society and community.

The current libertarian movements in the U.S., which tend toward survivalist individualism, miss the reality that human beings are social animals by nature and evolution. Their motivation, as I see it, is based in gun possession and personal wealth, unimpeded by taxes and regulation. This seems more than a little regressive.

Responsibility to the community and society is the basis of civilization. Taxes are a crucial part of maintaining that civilization and its life-improving benefits. No matter how inefficient or corrupt government may be, the maintenance of infrastructure, public health and education must still be supported by the public for civilization to progress.

If those who despise corruption and 'big government' focused their rage on improving the quality of social programs by improving the tax and regulatory codes instead of ranting against the very programs which will improve their quality of life, then we can move as united citizens to improve our country for everyone.

Socialism

As I look at the current culture here in the U.S., I wonder if all the hyperactivity I see is a symptom of unmedicated or overmedicated anxiety and/or depression. The obsessive use of smart phones in public by a growing percentage of Americans is disturbing to me as a former psychiatric nurse. I see self-imposed social isolation in the midst of crowds everywhere. It looks like self-imposed autism.

I ride the subway frequently. Subways are marvelous, random microscopes for the scientific and observant. I study my subway cars. I would estimate that, on average, approximately 20-30% of passengers busy themselves with smart phones without eye contact or apparent engagement in their environment. On the posher spans, through wealthier communities, I would up that estimate to 30-50%.

In poorer communities along the subway lines, single passengers who are not focused on their smart phones usually stare blankly ahead and avoid all eye contact with other passengers. Disabled and elderly passengers in the aisles are ignored or buffeted by passengers as they push in or out of the train. In wealthier communities, groups of passengers take over sections of the train car. Often they sprawl over sections of several seats and yell across the aisle, while other standing passengers are packed tightly in the aisle around them. This is overt, antisocial behavior, practiced by the young and middle-aged alike.

I see these behaviors as symptoms of the conscious and unconscious manipulation of the society by financial-capitalist business, government and media. The individualistic materialism of the past two decades has been fostered by media and Reaganite (neo-conservative and neo-liberal) political ideologues, who are hand-in-hand with financial institutions and corporations. The entrepreneurial, anti-tax, anti-socialist messages are unrelenting. Socialism has become a dirty word. Lack of socialism on a very pragmatic, democratic, non-totalitarian basis is a destructive force when human beings are overpopulating their environment. We need look at Haiti for an example of the end point of this.

This trend can take the U.S. in only one direction. Greater class separation, class conflict, violence and the degradation of the overall quality of life. Those with wealth are apparently blind beyond their own greed and need for celebrity adulation by the duped masses. This is not new. It is a sad replay of pre-democratic history. And, democratic socialism is not the cause. It may well be the cure.

Individualism

The Reaganite philosophy which is in full bloom in the USA right now is based on the narcissism of its idol, Ronald Reagan, and people like him. It is indeed right out of a bad movie of an Ayn Rand novel. It spells disaster for humanity.

The Hurricane Katrina disaster is exactly what is to be expected in a Reaganite world. No government services. No humanity in the response of government. No social consciousness. Just photo ops for those who will stop at nothing to achieve wealth and celebrity for themselves.

Buddhist thought is not individualistic in its relationship to society. While the Buddhist message is geared to individual responsibility and empowerment, its overall goal is the enlightenment (evolution) of all beings. This can only be achieved by the mindful and compassionate sharing of resources, ideas and goals among motivated human beings for the betterment of all.