Swirling Extremists?

I've been sitting back the last few months watching the world swirling and devolving into insanity. Here are home we continue to demonize each other and have a government so bogged down in rhetoric, it is at a stalemate where none of the nation's very substantial problems can get solved.

The more bizarre the claims made become, the more frightened everyone becomes and nothing gets done. There is no science in any of the claims, or true expert advise and studies, just allegations and claims. Can't we just find some common ground, agree on the issues to get resolved that everyone agrees are the issues, and work toward those common goals? Isn't the point of public service to serve the public and your country, not your party and some corporation?

On the list of major issues:

1. jobs

2. economic growth

3. climate change and world population growth

4. potential water shortages

5. health care

6. senior care of aging population

7. transitioning economy to 2100 so we can gear our education system to those goals

8. the affect of corporate money on elections

9. energy independence

10. our tax structure - meaning where people are paying taxes but corporations are not.

11. Immigration reform - big and difficult issue.

12. How developing economies - specifically China and India - are affecting ours and what do we do about it?

People tell me I should be running for office, but it is too polarizing out there.

I watch what is going on the Middle East and am concerned, feeling as though I live in some Orwellian world where black is white and white is black, or so the government tells us, as they monitor our telephones and internet without warrants. Isn't it all just too big brother? Maybe it is not 1984, but certainly by 2004, we had arrived. We were at war with Afghanistan and then Iraq,but why we were in the wars kept changing. Isn't it all really about the oil?

If we truly believe in spreading democracy, isn't one of the fastest ways is for us to become energy independent, so we are not supporting and propping up petro-dictators?

Weren't we supposed to be the moral leaders of the world and not torture people and show them the way to better living by example, morally, scientifically, personally? Lead by example? What ever happened to that?

I do believe that we have forgotten service to our country and responsibility to others. Perhaps instituting a requirement, as many countries have, that all students, after finishing high school, either serve a term in the military to volunteer for public service for one or two years. Maybe that would hurt colleges in some temporary way, but ultimately, won't it help this country. And we can all agree that we need major help. to find the common ground, get our feet on it, and stop swirling.

G-d - And those who claim act on G-d's behalf

Last night an alleged Christian killed a licensed physician who performed a legal medical procedure - late term abortions.  Not only did this murderer kill this doctor and father of four, but did so in a church - a house of worship.  This is nonsensical.  It is as wrong as any religious extremist is who kills in the name of G-d.  

A higher power, that is how I perceive G-d.  Certainly all-knowing, somewhat loving, but not loving without limit, not really unconditional love.  I contemplate this issue even more right now with so many things happening in the world, heinous acts perpetrated in G-d's name.  

As I approach the 21st anniversary of my last drink on June 3, I recall struggling with concepts of G-d, spirituality and religion.  The spiritual journey that I embarked on so long ago.  The evolution of learning, practice and thought.  

One of the most meaningful descriptions was a woman I met who told me that her view of G-d came from the song "they called the wind Mariah".  She described how she viewed G-d as the wind and when she was acting properly the wind was act her back, but when she was headed in the wrong direction, she felt as though she had the wind blowing in her face, fighting against it.  Isn't that how we all feel so many times when things are going wrong in our lives?  

Another woman I met suffered from schizophrenia but loved trees.  She worshipped them as though she was a Druid.  I learned that spirituality is more pure than religion because when I view history through the prism of religion, and current events, acts and reactions of peoples and countries become so distorted through their use of G-d and religion to justify their actions. Particularly when their actions are purely about exercising power domination and control over others, to cover up inherent insecurities and uncertainties.  In other words, to hide fear. 

Extremism is extremism, no matter its origins or attempts at justification.  Hate is hate. 

As a former hate crimes prosecutor, the twisted logic that extremists use to justify their actions is interesting but fails for the reason that all extremism fails.  At some point the majority will get past their fear, and their fear of fear, and recognize the hate and extremism for what it is.  It is always attempts to deflect attention what the perpetrators (be they politicians, religious leaders, or warriors) are really attempting to achieve - power, domination and control.  To make people too afraid to ask questions, to challenge those in power and authority.  

To have us be a bunch of sheep, late at night, listening to noises in the dark, and the powers that be, the leaders of the flock are telling us that the noises are really wolves coming in for the attack, even though the wolves are not howling, and we have herd dogs to guard us.  At some point we must learn from history and not continue to repeat these mistakes and allow the pendulum to swing toward these religious extremes.