Politics & Loving Change

Seasonal change is highlighted this fall with the United States presidential election, the outcome of which affects our global stage. Interestingly, women and women’s issues have been highlighted in a way that is different from ever before, starting with Hillary Clinton running for president and receiving 18 million votes. Although, she didn’t win the nomination, her popularity for this high office certainly made it clear that women and women voters are a powerful force in today’s politics.

The Democratic Convention was launched by an amazing speech given by a woman—Michelle Obama, attorney, mother of two and wife of the Democratic presidential nominee. While Barack Obama didn’t pick Hillary Clinton to be his running mate, he did select a man who, like himself, has supported women’s issues politically and who does so personally by being committed to his family.

As noted feminist author and organizer Gloria Steinem stated, “American women … finally have support on a national stage from male leaders who know that women can’t be equal outside the home until men are equal in it. Barack Obama and Joe Biden are campaigning on their belief that men should be, can be and want to be at home for their children. This could be huge” (LA Times: Opinion, Sept. 4, 2008). Click here to read the full article.

Why Palin?
While John McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin as his VP running mate acknowledges the importance of women voters, it’s hardly a sign of support for women’s issues. Both Palin and McCain are in favor of overturning the Roe v Wade decision, which would criminalize abortions in many states. She also opposes sex education in schools except for ‘abstinence-only’ programs that are known to increase unwanted births, sexually transmitted diseases and abortions.

Does McCain really think that Hillary Clinton supporters will vote for him via Palin? In contrast to Clinton’s more environmental approach, Palin favors nuclear power and coal plants, both known to be extremely hazardous, and promotes drilling for oil and gas in her state’s treasured Alaska Natural Wildlife Reserve. Furthermore, McCain opposed the Fair Pay Act and the Violence Against Women Act.

To quote Gloria Steinem from the same article again, “Republicans may learn they can’t appeal to right-wing patriarch and women at the same time. A loss in November could cause the centrist majority of Republicans to take back their party, which was the first to support the Equal Rights Amendment and should be the last to want to invite government into the wombs of women.”

New Paradigm Approach
Before going any further, the question is—how do we relate to information that has had us feeling angst? Is it viable to ignore what’s going on politically? That might be the best response until we can come up with a better one, just as we may best ignore the criticism of a friend until we have some clarity and compassion. Within a paradigm of oneness, we are that which we see. On a practical level, it's for us to create a way to stay in loving relationship.

What I do is to find and energize what I love about the person or situation, any time I notice the tendency to react with defensiveness, judgment or anger. If a dear friend criticizes, I can love it that they care enough about me and our relationship to face their fears of confrontation and do important interpersonal work. Intense feelings, even of anger, are intense caring so I can see that we both care a lot, and we can use that energy to make some wonderful breakthroughs together.

When I hear of some environmental insult or about a constitutional right being compromised, I can look to what’s behind my strong angst and find strong love of Nature, of life and of freedom for all. When I go there, I can almost feel grateful to the external situation for the opportunity. In touch with my own aliveness and passion for life, my responses to the world situation become matters of the heart. After all, it’s more heartfelt behavior that I seek from them.

A second tool is to envision a specific, positive outcome repeatedly, and tap into your knowing that he already has won, with passion. This is a form of prayer. I suggest you see President Obama on live television saying; “On this day of inauguration, January 20, 2009, I president Obama thank you for believing in me and my ability to bring about real change. I ask again that you believe in your own ability, that we work together….”

Take a moment to practice these tools now so that when it’s time to elevate your sights, you easily see President Obama inaugurated and feel your passion for freedom, the pursuit of happiness and justice for all. Do it several times daily.

Predetermined Election
I honestly think that McBush (yes, a little levity here) knows Obama will win the election in November. To be more honest, I think that the people who committed voter fraud during the last two presidential elections and had Bush instated, have decided to allow Obama to “win.” Forcing a “win” this November would alert too many people that there’s something behind the media curtain that’s been controlling, robbing and terrorizing us.

I think that the selection of Sarah Palin and most of the fundamentalist religious reports are “weapons of mass distraction” from how much US and international corporations have been controlling our democratic process, compromising our constitution and using our military money and human lives to secure oil and other natural resources around the world.

Did you know that while we’re rallying against Palin (well, some of it is fun), Bush is looking to conduct “military operations” in Pakistan, before the end of his administration, and there is strong indication of his attacking Iran. A number of things are happening that seem to be attempts to secure profits before he goes—another indication to me that Obama will win. And instead of holding Bush in check, Congress might end session at the end of this month!

Rationale behind the recent big bail is that should such large institutions fail, it would have a devastating effect on our economy. To quote Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont, “If a company is too big to fall, it is too big to exist.” Large companies should be split up and regulations reinstituted to prevent such large holdings (click here for the whole article). (click here for the whole article)

Congressman Dennis Kucinich says we must require full disclosure and accountability from those who took the big companies down, such as their resignation, their giving back compensation packages, etc., He’s also calling to create a U.S. Mutual Trust Fund with the $700 billion in stock assets, convert those assets to shares and distribute them to all Americans - and thus have some ownership of the assets. See his full proposal at http://www.kucinich.us

In contrast, Bush’s bail out document has Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson be in charge of our funds—in total secrecy, and that the Secretary’s decisions “may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.” It seems impossible!

In addition, “A handful of giant oil companies [Exxon, Chevron, BP, Total and Shell] that met secretly with VP Dick Cheney in 2001 are now poised to get ‘unusual’ no-bid contracts from the Iraqi government to boost production—further proof that the U.S. invaded Iraq for oil,” says Dennis Kucinich. Other sources indicate huge profits for U.S. defense and oil industries since our 2001 attack on Iraq. Oil company CEOs report incomes that “now average 32.7 million dollars” annually (from this article).

Profit Over Pulpit
Mainstream media under reports, distorts and often ignores important events, even unconstitutional/criminal activities, because the large corporations benefiting from these activities own the media. Corporations with major interest in mainstream media have financial interest in such things as oil, military equipment and nuclear power plants. I believe that rather than enforcing a restricted, religious doctrine, their agenda is profit—the laws and wars that guarantee profit.

Breathe. Remember your love of freedom. Energize it. A third tool is to remember there is some divine perfection to all of this, even if invisible to us. Within Oneness, we all are in this together and we each are very powerful creators. Our consciousness is at cause. The world is the effect of consciousness. Your loving energy and compassion are very important and powerful, as are your prayers.

The real kicker is that many politicians from both political parties must be assisting for corporations to garner such control. Democrats who give voice to being against the war have voted to fund it. Also, did it seem to you that there was far too little resistance by Democrats to the Republican/Bush take over of the last two elections and apparent vote count fraud? Further, little has been done since to remedy the situation.

The Independent Media Center, extensively explores vote counting fraud. Regarding the 2000 and 2004 elections, Stephen Spoonamore, a self-described ‘life-long Republican’ and one of the world's leading cyber crime experts said: "There is a very strong argument [that the elections were] electronically stolen, the hanging chads were just a distraction. … I think [Diebold machines] are brilliantly designed … to steal elections."

Scratching Backs
Thus, the corporate media curtain is hiding much more than corporate greed. It’s attempting to hide the fact that the majority of our political leaders in both parties have participated in the perpetuation of legalized war—war against our constitution, against democracy, against freedom and human rights across the globe and against the natural environment—our children’s future.

Keep breathing! See the hopeful face of president Obama. Feel your patriotism.

In truth, corporate-owned media is allowed to claim our attention and tell us what perspective to have, especially by controlling what is viewed and how it is presented. Over time, with amazing effectiveness, the media seem to have we-the-people not remember all the controversy following 9/11, following the pre-emptive strike on a much smaller nation, following the obvious fraud during the last two elections, following manipulated debates and the exclusion of third parties. And when there is public outcry, such as the huge demonstrations against the WTO around the world, the misreporting quickly defers to cleverly designed distractions that have us focus elsewhere and assume most people must not care about it.

I have to hand it to Dennis Kucinich, Congressman from Ohio, who is up for re-election in November. He refuses all money from special interests and has tirelessly worked to strengthen our constitution, our rights and our freedom for years. He voted against invading Iraq right after 9/11.

Power of Love
Kucinich ran for president on the Democratic ticket in 2004 and again this time. Here in Asheville, NC, our strong support of him for president in 2004 actually had him win the primary in Buncombe County! We shocked many local Democrats. I believe our remarkable feat was because we kept consciously focusing on our love—of liberty and justice, and on the promise for a better future that Kucinich symbolizes.

Predictably, however, he was marginalized by mainstream media and even disallowed from one of the debates earlier this year, despite the fact that he met all criteria! Democrats could have demanded more.

The party did, however, give him a few minutes to speak during the recent Democratic National Convention. During that 6-minute speech, Kucinich passionately challenged Democrats, once they win in November, to “Wake up America!” Here are a few excerpts:

“Wake up America, multinational corporations took over our trade policies, factories are closing. Wake up, America. We went into Iraq for oil. The oil companies want more. War against Iran will mean $10 a gallon gasoline. The oil administration wants to drill more—into your wallet. Wake up, America. Weapons contractors want more. An Iran war will cost five to ten trillion dollars.

“This Administration can tap our phones. They can’t tap our creative spirit. They can open our mail. They can’t open economic opportunities. They can track our every move. They lost track of the economy while the cost of food, gasoline and electricity skyrockets. … Everyday we get the color orange, while the oil companies, the insurance companies, the speculators, the war contractors, get the color green. … Wake up, America.” Wow!

Just recently, Kucinich submitted legislation that would bar U.S. oil companies from receiving contracts for oil exploration in Iraq. Shortly thereafter, the Republican Party in Ohio announced they have a million dollar “war chest” to support Kucinich’s opponent.

Obama Needs Kucinich to Stay in Congress!
In addition to voting for Obama/Biden, I ask that you support Dennis Kucinich in his re-election. We need him to stay in Congress!!!! Obama needs him there!

Kucinich continues the call for impeachment of Bush and Cheney to hold them accountable for their constitutional crimes “… to tell future presidents that America has seen the last of these injustices.” We need to support this effort.

Regarding Bush’s plan of “expanding the failed war in Afghanistan into Pakistan,” Kucinich says, “This is unnecessary and it is illegal. Congress must intervene legislatively and legally to block Bush from continuing down this dangerous path. Additionally, this is further proof why Congress should not adjourn at the end of September.

“Congress' absence from Washington would further license the Administration to build up conflict with Iran, Russia and Pakistan. We must stay in session through year's end and into the next Congress, through the Inauguration, to hold this President in check.” I visualize this happening now.

Going ALL Out
Given the incredible amount of power that special interests have in our government, it’s amazing we have politicians like Kucinich and Sanders, and it’s amazing how much women have risen into the forefront of politics. Perhaps it’s time for women to rise again.

Back in 1870, Julia Ward Howe started a crusade to institute a Mother’s Day as a Day for Peace. She had nursed wounded soldiers on both sides during the bloody American Civil War (1861-1865). Afterward, she called for women to stop future carnage, by refusing to caress or applaud their husbands who fight. Her Proclamation in part stated:

“Arise, then women of this day! Arise all women who have hearts, whether our baptism be that of water or of tears! Say firmly: ‘We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies. Our husbands shall not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause. Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience. …’”

Will it be women that will make the difference? I’d love to see women catalyze the uniting of all Americans to make a loving change. How about “Americans for Liberty and Love” – ALL, and then go ‘ALL out’ for economic and political justice? We can show the world that Americans do care about what matters.

In addition to supporting Obama/Biden and Kucinich, this is how I’d people to refocus their energies - Hillary Clinton supporters and all those who object to there being yet another puppet politician like Palin in high office. And for us to demand that Congress stay in session through to the inauguration—all with determined love.

By tapping into the immense power of love and taking impassioned, inspired actions, toward goals we see already happening, we can make real change in our lives. It’s a new season, ripe with possibility. Let’s feel it, see it and know it.

For more information and to support their efforts, please visit Obama’s website as well as Kucinich’s website.