What Do they Want?
LGBTQ+? “Straight”? Women? Men? Believers in God? Scientists? Atheists? People of color? Undocumented Immigrant? Native-born citizen? Race?
The irony of identity politics is, while there are some surface differences between us, we all want the same thing.
Science says that we are all one, the human race. A doctor can see anybody on the planet, no matter where they were born, what color, what religion we believe in or not believe in or who they like to love. It's hard to tell a lot of these differences without getting to know them, but we can tell immediately whether they are human or not. One could go on about the things that are ‘divisive.’ But what is that one thing we all want?
We already know this: LOVE!
No matter which of the above categories we might identify with, we all want to be loved and we want everyone to love us, accept us unconditionally. We all want to be one big happy family. We do not want ‘fake love’ or lip service, we want people to actually love us, respect us, give us unconditional positive regard, no matter what.
Science says that we are all one, the human race. A doctor can see anybody on the planet, no matter where they were born, what color, what religion we believe in or not believe in or who they like to love. It's hard to tell a lot of these differences without getting to know them, but we can tell immediately whether they are human or not. One could go on about the things that are ‘divisive.’ But what is that one thing we all want?
We already know this: LOVE!
No matter which of the above categories we might identify with, we all want to be loved and we want everyone to love us, accept us unconditionally. We all want to be one big happy family. We do not want ‘fake love’ or lip service, we want people to actually love us, respect us, give us unconditional positive regard, no matter what.
The Great Teachers
That is what, in fact, the great spiritual teachers teach: Love your neighbors as yourself. Treat others as you want to be treated. If there is to be a ‘we,’ (not us vs them) we must find a way to acknowledge the Oneness aspect of life, otherwise there will continue to be complete separation and competitive chaos, everybody for themselves, us against them.
Winners and Losers
It's hard to find the inclusive kind of love in the political world; it's all about competition, dog eat dog, whatever it takes to ‘win.’ We have to find a reason who a person should vote for me and not them. Yet, when one side wins, they want the people they just destroyed emotionally to be happy and work in unity with them. Or else.
Baser Instincts
An irony of politics is that in order to get love, one must give love first. That is why candidates tell people how much they love them and will get them what they need. It can be done in a really negative way
Fear
Some candidates, if not most these days, also use fear as a reason solicit votes. If we identify an enemy, some will think their savior is the one who will vanquish their enemies and set up a peaceful world.
Greed
Another way is to cater to jealousy and greed. We all want love and respect and we all want stuff. We all want what others have, be it love or stuff. We can work for it or we can expect others to give it to us ‘because we deserve it and they love us.’ Feelings like anger and fear can ride pretty high and people do and say things that do not promote love and unity.
Tribalism
Politicians often promote tribalism aka parties. Sometimes it is merely competition to get things both sides agree on, done. It is not good when one side demonizes anyone who doesn't agree with them. It is really hard to love someone who is spitting in your face, calling you unspeakable names like racist, homophobe, xenophobe, misogynist or whatever when you are not those things.
What is Missing
The missing part here is LOVE. It all about giving love or ‘asking for love.’ LOVE, to an enlightened one, is known by many names: God, Life, All-That-Is, Unity, Allah, Creator, Source of all Being, Divinity, Universal Life Force, Holy Spirit, etc. In any case, we can look for our ‘good’ within ourselves… or outside of ourselves, that is somebody else… like government.
Lust For Power
The problem with socialism of every kind is that it involves people who think they are right and that you should do what they say. 'Progressive socialists,' no matter what they call themselves, form groups like BLM and Antifa. They dox people who disagree, boycott them, scream obscenities on social media and write damning memes. If the system fights them, they work to change the system, change the meaning of words, all with the end of getting rid of opposition.
Ego
Ego loves it, but there is seldom love. How many people do you know who are loving people but express deep hatred for President Trump. Hatred of one person will keep you from understanding "Love your neighbor" and "Heaven." Ego is all about separation and keeping it that way.
The Capital Idea
Capitalism is based on people doing what they love, making things they like, selling them to people who like or need what they made. They earn enough of a living to keep doing it to support their families and maybe provide work for more and more people. Successful "capitalists," entrepreneurs, and risk-takers get ahead by listening to others and giving them what they want (sales, jobs). They get ahead by listening to LOVE for their inspiration on what to do, on what to take a chance on. It doesn’t always work.
This Too Shall Pass
This world is a temporary one and worldly love is not much different. People are born, people die. People get sick, get depressed, abuse substances (substitute for love or a way to soften the lack of love in their life.) People become jealous and want what other people have, be it another person/lover, stuff, power, land, or just more stuff.
Victims vs Predators
Whatever motivates people to forcibly take what they need or want seldom makes the victim happy. Sometimes the victim ‘deserves’ it, they needed to be punished, other times ‘they’ were just convenient marks. Fear, anger, jealousy and other negative not-love feeling can tempt us to become a predator. In this dog-eat-dog world we are sometimes predators, other times we are victims and then again, we can try to fix the world. We often change places from time to time. It is not about love.
The F-Word
How does one get to love? What is the purpose of existence in this crazy world? If you can’t love someone because of what they are doing, despite knowing that they are a fellow human made of the same stuff as we are and wanting the same things as us, then a person needs to learn how to forgive.
Yes, I know. Forgiveness, the ultimate ‘f-word.’ Life here is simple: love our Source, love our fellow human beings, no matter what. It can be easy, but it takes practice. The most productive practice of forgiveness is a kind of 'overlooking the bad stuff and focusing on the love within the ‘other.' ' We keep forgiving until 'they' become one of ‘us.’
If one doesn’t know what to do or how to do it, one must seek the inner guidance of our Higher Power. If it is within us, it often works out. If it is without, on the outside (like government politicians), not so often.
You cannot delegate love. You cannot say 'I paid my taxes, somebody else will take care of it.' You cannot say 'I gave a monetary contribution to the church, the non-profit, the party, or whatever and expect that to count for ‘love.' ’
Yes, I know. Forgiveness, the ultimate ‘f-word.’ Life here is simple: love our Source, love our fellow human beings, no matter what. It can be easy, but it takes practice. The most productive practice of forgiveness is a kind of 'overlooking the bad stuff and focusing on the love within the ‘other.' ' We keep forgiving until 'they' become one of ‘us.’
If one doesn’t know what to do or how to do it, one must seek the inner guidance of our Higher Power. If it is within us, it often works out. If it is without, on the outside (like government politicians), not so often.
You cannot delegate love. You cannot say 'I paid my taxes, somebody else will take care of it.' You cannot say 'I gave a monetary contribution to the church, the non-profit, the party, or whatever and expect that to count for ‘love.' ’
Know Thyself
Seek within or be forever lost (Reincarnation? Hell?).
Seek within and become ‘one with the One.’ The road to realizing Oneness is enlightened because it is the only road that works in the long run. Seek within and know that you are on the right road, no matter what. See without and you will know just how many wrong places there are to look for love.
Get to “Know Thyself” first and last. Thyself is really All-There-Is!