Freedom

"Freedom" is a word bandied about in today's discourse about legislation and political bias. Freedom from something? Freedom to do something? The state of being free?

In the current context of U.S. political debate, freedom is coming to mean individualism. Individualism, unbridled by social responsibility, enforced by law and government, is just a euphemism for anarchy. Anarchy, the absence of government or rule of law, is by nature violent and socially regressive.

I would suggest that a citizen who, informed that the broken health care system is imperiling the health of the economic fiber of the nation, rails against fixing the problem through elected, legislative government, is an anarchist. Now, given the choice between anarchy and socialism, I would most certainly choose democratic, legislative socialism.

It is important to see what reactionaries of any stripe have to offer behind their rages. I see no intelligent alternatives offered by the Tea Party Movement, for example. I do see a propensity for anger and violence. In my opinion, I see the same rage once whipped up by the Militia Movement in the 1990s. This led to incidents like the Waco Siege. I doubt any sensible U.S. citizen wishes to see our country repeat those unfortunate times.

Episcopalians

American Episcopalian bishops were ordained in Uganda this past week. They were ordained in Uganda because the African Episcopal churches have become the new epicenter for religious-based homophobia in the Episcopal Church. Is it any wonder? The Prime Minister of Uganda spoke at the ceremony to lend his official gravitas to the proceedings.

Now, let's relax. There are hardly enough Episcopalians around to change a light bulb. So, I am not heralding an alarm. I would simply like to point out that this trend of public declaration of bigotry by Americans in other countries is exactly what the racist Southerners did forty years ago in their rage over equal rights legislation and desegregation. It is exactly what sexist politicians did thirty-five years ago during the feminist movement.

This illustrates one basic fact. Those who have aversion to change will waste their time, resources and energy resisting it. This works to the benefit of change agents who are patient and persistent.

My practice is to calmly and methodically focus on change for the evolution of my life. I trust in the force of change over the force of resistance to change. Water dissolves rock over time.

Reactionary

A reactionary is someone with very little to offer and very much to say.
A 'proactionary' is someone with much to offer and little to say.
The reactionary reacts. The 'proactionary' creates.
My practice entails being proactive.
Being proactive entails fostering peace and honesty in my own life.