The Political Season

           Although human sufferings and controversies continue through all the months of every year, it would nonetheless be commendable if we could limit the idealistic battles of electoral politics to the months approaching a voting November...   And in other months, we could focus more on the work of governing, on finding common ground, perhaps on compromising with the political realities of the time.  Certainly, it would be positive to see more civility and philosophy in American politics.  

            From the statements of many elected officials, one gets the sense that government is either a panacea for all social ills or to the contrary quite vile and useless: that either Democrats or Republicans are villains and monsters to be despised.  I am politically passionate myself, and I can understand much of this.  

           Yet, like many others, I also see that the nation would be better served by a more civil and compromising approach- especially during those periods when the work of politics is not the competitive election, but the shaping of policy and the practical work of governance.

              Perhaps during these breaks from ideological warfare, we could focus more on the personal characteristics of political figures: that Paul Ryan is a pious Catholic who confers with Pope Francis, that George W. Bush is passionate about painting American veterans, that Tim Kaine plays a beautiful harmonica.   With this knowledge of each other's humanity might come some moderation of the contempt and demonization that has become all too common in our politics.

              The most useful deliberation in achieving genuine insight and in making correct political decisions is a process that requires dualistic analysis of the highly complex issues our nation faces today:  It requires deep ethical and personal reflection.  

             Too often in the tumble of egos and generations, it's forgotten just how complex and multi-faceted these issues are. It gets forgotten how understandeable it is that there are disagreements, and that a greater level of insight might be achieved, if we could view matters in a philosophical as opposed to a political way.

               Thank you for reading.  It is my dream that we might to some real extent transform the current pseudo-warfare of our politics into a search for what is truly noble and into the building of bridges between parties, generations and national sects.  Blessings upon you