Is not voting a failure of civic duty?
I would talk civic duty as soon as the media talks about how they fail in their duty to me. To speak an unbiased truth.
I would talk civic duty as soon as a candidate does not spend money that could be putting food in hungry mouths on advertising devoted to slander and lies, which dishonors the constitution that gives me the right to vote.
Jesus, St. Francis and others who were seers of the truth told us to transcend and not give energy to the system. I could devote a whole blog to quoting them on this subject.
A description from Richard Rohr from his book A Hope Against Darkness:
"Thus, both Jesus and Francis had no pragmatic agenda for social reform. They moved outside the system of illusion, more ignoring it than fighting it and quite simply, doing it better. They knew, again, that: the best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better."
Civic duty in its highest form is not getting distracted by the game. Politics will never solve poverty, the root of all hell that we face in this country. Government policy will never solve poverty. My focus with this is clear, and no, this year, I choose to not be distracted. I have something better in mind and soul.
4 comments:
Oh wait, I hope that when I mentioned civic duty in my last comment that it didn't sound like I was saying that I think you are violating your civic duty by not voting. I was only saying that I'm not sure about my opinion on civic duty and voting.
Regardless, I agree that Jesus never came to Earth for politics.
Having said that, the country has to be run with some sort of structure and has to have leaders that do this, so someone has to care about politics in this sense. I believe that there is some sweet spot where politicians can lead the country effectively without becoming a distraction to themselves and to others, but I don't think we've found the sweet spot yet.
Thought-provoking post. :)
I agree, Michelle. You said it. It has occurred to me that if I sit around waiting for that sweet spot, I will be sitting around for a long time.
Your comment only brought feelings up from past arguments with people about I am dishonoring citizens, women, troops, little people, McDonald's, Coca Cola, the voters of American Idol and the cast of The Hills.
You know how I feel and I know how I feel, the country will be just fine.
Thanks for commenting. It makes me feel like I am holding your hand.
Hi, Lucky ... I've just come upon your blog via 37 Days (I contributed Day #15 -- "Write those love letters now" -- on Patti's blog -- I was blown away by her thinking, her story, her way with words!) ...
The quote you mention here by Richard Rohr snaps my mind to attention. "Moving outside the system of illusion" ... a beautiful way of describing the choice to detach/disengage from a situation that can be crazy-making. A member of my family is at a choice-point with alcohol addiction and may go either way ... It's that choose-to-live or choose-to-die crossroads, and I know that with all the love in my heart, I must release myself from any expectations, hopes, or fantasies. It's a harrowing kind of liberation when you know that there's nothing (more) you can do to keep someone you love alive and engaged.
So glad that you love Rilke's work. He's the first poet whose work I fell into ... back in 1984. His words are soul-food. Probably my favourite poem of his is the Eighth Duino elegy (as translated by Stephen Mitchell) ... I read it again and again ... My first copy of Mitchell's translations is tattered and "marginalia-ed" to the nth degree ... pages fall out; the binding's shot ... and I cherish it like a lifelong friend ...
Beautiful thoughts on civic duty and voting. It's the very least we can do in our so-called democratic countries (I live in Canada) ...
Best to you!
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