The Elephants Down Under Are Irrelevant To Us

On March 27, Thomas Friedman provided his opinion on the American poltical process and how he felt it could be improved . In this opinion, he states that entire spectrum of New Zealand and Australian politics from conservative to liberal- could fit into our Democratic party. He goes on to say that these countries deal with the tough issues of climate, economics, and poverty, and somehow still seem to get things done. These countries have (allegedly) equitable schooling, health care, and protective environmental policies. Both countries are also not very religious. Though many claim a religion when asked on a survey, around only 15% actually actively practice that religion. That, makes a HUGE difference. Though Friedman’s points and desires for the US may be understandable, they are irrelevant.

The Pew Forum on Religious and Public Life reveals that 38% of Americans believe that there is too much religious talk in politics, while 30% believe there is too little, and about 25% believe that there is just enough. Those numbers show the problem. Though religion and political decisions should be separate (lest we finally feel the oppression we’ve meted out to others), one’s religious profession (again depending on their color and political party) makes a difference in success and in assumed patriotism.

While we realize, cognitively, that we as a nation of Democrats, Republicans, Green Party and others will rise or fall together, it hasn’t gotten to our nation’s heart as yet. Regardless of political affiliation, we have seen politicians who prefer to attack a candidate instead of show their love for the country. We see sexism, racism, and classism as the foundation for character assaults, with no one providing a true and lasting alternative to our crumbling nation. Until our love for the country is greater than our hate for one another, or our desire to have power, we will see more of the same. So, though the elephants down under may have seemed to trample the differences into a workable compromise, I’m not sure what it would take to see that in America. Maybe December 21, 2012……hopefully it won’t take a realignment of magnetic poles to get us to realign our priorities.