Who am I?   Who are you? 

Well, the voting year of 2008 will certainly be remembered for the life pumped into it.  Ideological viewpoints are so different on this one that there are very clear lines in the sand that have been drawn.  Emotions are high…defenses almost fanatical at times…

Sometimes, these type of moments are the best for stepping back to regroup.  These are bad times to be sucked into the fervor of the masses for one can quickly lose willpower and independence in the fast paced flow of crowd mentality.  Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa  (inserted sheep noise there…)

At these intersections, it is a good idea to simplify.  Know your causes, know your issues, know the facts both for and against…but never forget to know yourself.  Who are you?  What is in your heart?

I was looking through the news a few days ago.  On this particular occasion, a poll had been taken of the issues that were most important to these people in the coming presidential election.  They were the following five things:

1. the economy             58%


2. healthcare                 13%


3. terrorism                    13%


4. war in Iraq                    9%


5. illegal immigration      5%

Look at these.  Think about them.  Are they YOUR concerns?  What are your concerns?  What should be?  What affects you?  And what affects the world or country?  Try to block out all the facts and fallacies swirling around as you think of this.  You are your past and you are a product of your upbringing but you are the future as well.  We all have a purpose here…whether it is continue family tradition or to start on a new path.  Let your brain (and your heart) guide your ideas. 

So in looking at these, I immediately thought how differently I saw things.  Nothing new…  I am one of those who thinks that the age one can be sent to war should be raised to 21 instead of lowering the drinking age to 18.  (Just makes more sense to me… apparently not to the general population however.)  The thing that really struck me on these issues was the complete omission of EDUCATION.  Here we have the ONE issue that is the key in solving and deterring all the other problems and it is not even mentioned???  I do not see the world as they do.

The economy?  Let’s learn to be less greedy and spoiled.  Healthcare?  Let’s learn how the pharmaceutical companies have drugged us into complacency.  Terrorism?  Like this is new?  Let’s learn about being a black man in the 50s.  War in Iraq?  Perhaps we should learn about other countries and cultures…or just examine our motives.  Illegal immigration?  Perhaps we should learn about our own histories. 

Of course, these are all simplifications.  But what of the foundation BEFORE you build the house?  Naturally, we will all interpret things in our own ways…look how many interpretations there are of the bible…but regardless, it is still paramount to educate.  If you have never been confused on a subject then you have not considered it.  If my views cause panic or aggression or introversion in your heart then perhaps it is crying for more attention.  Perhaps the violent emotion is the product of the fear of confusion…confusion of not understanding the subject or fear of not understanding me. 

Simplify.  Be happy if you are confused.  It is a call to learn.

As for me, these times have been great.  I am comforted by the values I uphold despite the labels of naïve, socialist, communist, tree-hugger, hippie, pagan, un-American, blah, blah…  Fact is, I am all those things.  I am also wise, capitalist, business owner, spiritual, patriotic, blah, blah…  I am a continuing study into my own nature.  For me, education is at the top of my issues list…without it we are doomed to forever repeat mistakes and we are doomed into the “safe” world of elitism and apathy…something that truly is un-American.

So…use this volatile time.  Talk and debate are fine but reflection is a huge part of your personal growth.  How do you see yourself and how do you want to see yourself?  How do you see the world and how do you want to see the world?  Do you want to understand MY heart?  Listen to John Lennon’s “Imagine.”  Do you want to understand MY brain?  Keep listening, talking, reading, and learning…I am doing the same for all of you…and for our country…and for our planet…