Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Bodhisattvas in an Election Year - Case Eight

The election campaigning is heating up!

We know this by the political nature and "campaigning aspects" of even administrative decisions regarding the economy and domestic policy , as well as the daily pronouncements about foreign policy from the State and Defense Departments. The "press leaks" about accomplishments in various "secret" realms of intelligence and covert operations, and the Congressional criticisms of these leaks, often reveal aspects of election campaigning.

How do we hear these, read these? Our practice is revealed in noticing how we react when one side or the other uses "their" instruments of government.  They use "their" instruments of government to subtly and not so subtly inject campaign positions and strategy into governmental actions. And do we notice? Do we notice how our biases and leanings for or against Obama or Romney, for or against Democrats, for or against Republicans, for or against..., lead us to hear or not hear what is being said, what is good or not good?

Please do notice what is added on - especially since we have many more months of important governmental actions to deal with major issues of the economy, to deal with foreign affairs and respond to strife and war in the Middle East, actions dealing with Islamic terrorism and European debt crisis, to name just a few. Our practice opportunities in the realm will be many in this period up to the November elections.

(c) 2012 Elihu Genmyo Smith