Those of you who know both Debra and me won’t be surprised to learn that we have different ideas about voting. We agree that politics is “outside the vortex.” My sense is that a lot of life is outside the vortex, from banking and investing to modern techniques of food production.
Nevertheless, I still save, spend, and invest money. I also continue to eat food produced by agribusiness. I watch TV, listen to music, and drive a vehicle produced by organizations outside the vortex. I drive on roads and highways constructed by companies also outside the vortex and financed by politicians who are outside the vortex. And I enjoy watching sporting events that are doubtless outside the vortex. My sense is that as long as we are incarnated, we need to navigate the vortex.
Democracy is also outside the vortex. In my opinion, however, it is closer to being in the vortex than most of the forms of government that preceded it. If you have read much about history, you know that democracy was achieved at great cost to those who challenged older forms of government. That doesn’t mean that democracy is perfect. A long time ago, in the Vietnam era, a group called the Fugs asked about voting for the lesser of two evils:
Who was it that set up a system,
supposedly democratic system,
Where you end up always voting for the lesser of two evils?
I mean, Was George Washington the lesser of two evils?
Sometimes I wonder …
(For complete lyrics see Wide, Wide, River)
Democracy is by no means perfect, but read some history and consider the alternatives. The problem with all forms of government was identified by Lord Acton Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The temptation for those in power is the lure of corruption, and the only real cure for that is to ensure that no one has too much power for too long. We can only do that by voting for the lesser of two evils. Edmund Burke said, The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. Voting is something we can do.
The other thing we can do is make sure that we are sufficiently well-informed to make good decisions about for whom (and for what in the the case of propositions). In spite of living in the “Information Age,” it remains difficult to be well-informed. Modern media is also outside the vortex, so it is not always easy to determine what will bring us closer to making the vortex more apparent and available, not only for ourselves, but also for the rest of humanity. As long as we have bodies, we will continue to have bodily needs. However much prayer, meditation, and tapping may benefit one’s emotional state, they won’t provide food and shelter. At some point, we need to do what is necessary to obtain food and shelter, even if that means being outside the vortex for however long that takes.
I am grateful to live in at at least a relative democracy. To the best of my ability, I will vote to remain in a democracy. I am glad for the opportunity to vote to increase the amount of democracy available in the United States, and I am glad for the opportunity to vote to reduce the oppression experienced by women and minorities in the U.S. I would be glad for the opportunity to vote to reduce gun violence and other forms of violent crime. I would be glad for the opportunity to vote to help ensure more peace and harmony for all. My sense is that voting may be the best way to bring the vortex to all who would be glad to share it.