Seeking New Solutions: Beyond the Bush
Years
American politicians of every
political stripe this election year are saying that
they represent change. Whatever they mean by “change” at
least they are feeling that the national psyche is
ready for a break with the past. They realize that
more and more people are demanding leadership that
will point in a new direction. People are treading
water in a sea of disappointment and often despair.
They have psychologically abandoned the ship of the
past and are seeking the lifeboats of the future.
While the Bush presidency may
be viewed as the “dark
ages” of American politics, they may also mark
the rebirth of American consciousness. The politics
of 2000 to 2008 was a wake-up call, a slap in the face
to our nation’s soul. Be it shame, or an affront
to our national honor, people are beginning to reject
the direction the Bush administration and its allies
in government and business are taking our nation.
Our nation was born as a reaction by enlightened leaders
to tyranny and injustice. The fertile soil of tyranny
is complacence, selfishness and fear. Currently many
Americans are expanding their expectations for justice
beyond simply a national calling. More and more people
in their hearts are starting to pledge their allegiance
to the welfare of humanity and the planet.
Articles on this “Seeking New Solutions” web
site over the last 6 years have been echoes of something
universal stirring deep in people’s being. First
they echoed the cries of pain for people and the environment
seeking relief. Some have been responses of anger,
dissatisfaction, fear and hopelessness assailing us
from every corner of the planet. These cries
are everywhere, and rebound off the souls of people
of conscience, moving them to speak out and take action.
Their actions and words begin to tell the stories that
must be told to shake humanity and its leaders out
of slumber. They reverberate with hope, awakening many
people.
When people’s eyes open,
they realize that people of goodwill who are helping
everywhere to make life better surround them. Gradually,
a tipping point will be reached where awakened people
predominate, and the needed healing for people and
our planet will increase. Creative solutions to current
problems are the result of people thinking in ways
that are not limited by confining paradigms.
The viewpoints of writings here, while often indignant,
are nevertheless consistently optimistic. One has only
to look at the dynamic expansion of people and organizations
around the world advocating and working for a sustainable,
fair, and quality life for others to feel the tide
of hope. Human compassion, generosity, creativity and
activism have never been so widespread as they are
today. Even when personal resources are limited, people
still find the means to give either of themselves or
of their various material or non-material assets.
When people choose new leaders
great deliberation must be made because we are at
a critical time of change and opportunity. They must
carefully analyze what each politician is appealing
to in human nature. Backward looking people are recognizable
in their appeals to fear, self-interest, and solutions
that maintain the people’s comfort. Forward-looking
people use the vocabulary of unity, cooperation,
and solutions that promote progress and independence.
Courage is the result of a free mind that is capable
of imagining a better future even though it may not
be familiar at present.
© 2008
Richard V. Sidy
