Mellie,

Thanks so much for the “letter”.  I consider it a “letter” -  more than just a Message on Messenger.  And for that reason, I’m responding in an e-mail which, I think, is a better medium for letters.  (Smile)

I belong (?) to a group of people who meet every Monday morning, via Zoom, to discuss “Current Events”.  Much of this is what is going on politically in DC.  I think everyone is a progressive, and most of the people are former Unitarian Universalists, UU’s.  Needless to say, everyone was against Trump before the elections and still are.  But all they can do is talk with labels. 

The Monday before the elections, they were all excited because some famous pollster was “prophesying” a win for Harris.  They can only quote pollsters and pundits and editorials.  No one puts forth what is in their own mind except me.  What’s right for me is because it seems right with my particular World View.  I may read something that resonates with my views but I will only quote it because it resonates with me.  I never quote anyone else because (s)he is “an authority”.

I feel that my ideas are based on critical analysis, compassion and empathy towards others, my personal set of standards for ethics and justice, and based on the principles of conflict management.  I feel secure with my thoughts and ideas.  I enjoy it when someone “with authority” says something that resonates within me, but I won’t quote that person as an authority.  If I quote them, it’s only because I feel the person said something in a way that I wished I had said it that way. 

Everyone else in this intelligent group is afraid to say what they believe.  They will only quote others “in authority”. 

It became obvious to me this day before the election that people were looking for “authorities” to say how they felt.  They weren’t searching for Truth.  They weren’t trying to figure out the “other side”.  They had no idea what “those others” were feeling nor how they would vote.  They didn’t care.  All they cared about was finding an authority that would say what they were looking for. 

The problem with our society and its lack of critical analysis is on both sides – progressives and conservatives.  But they don’t realize it, so they don’t respond when it is brought to their attention. 

For a few weeks, this same group was talking about the “Bonhoeffer Moment” in the 1930’s and 1940’s and comparing it to the Trump era(s).  But when I brought up, like a prophet crying in the wilderness, that the “Bonhoeffer Moment” is today all about the situation in Gaza.  That is where tens of thousands are being massacred.  That is where millions are being displaced with no place to go while their homes are razed.  That is where the entire population now is officially unemployed so parents are unable to care for their own families.  Yet the United States is not only supporting this but is also promoting it.  How can we be concerned about the “sanctity” of our Republic/Nation and not be against this heinous crime.

I have discovered that those who were for in illegal invasion of Iraq (and Afghanistan, and Viet Nam) and now Gaza, are motived by fear.  Those who are against these wars, including Gaza are motivated by compassion and empathy towards others.  The choice in Gaza is not of believing some promise made by an invisible god to a shepherd (who was the father to both the Jews, and the Muslims) thousands of years ago vs the evil of the Muslims:  the choice is allowing ourselves to be motivated by fear or by compassion.  The Christians talk about the Sermon on the Mount, but don’t apply it to Gaza.  The Christians would rather have the 10 Commandments on the walls of schools rather than the Beatitudes.  Christians are still wanting to be led by the Old Testament god rather than the Christ of the Gospels.  (Actually, Christians today want to be directed by the theology of the Apostle Paul rather than the life of Christ.) 

When I bring up the issue of Gaza and what position we should have with it, I am tole (by Christian progressives) that it is a complex issue and we should just leave it alone.  Yet they will want to talk and talk and talk (and get nothing accomplished) about the Evil One in DC.  They do not accomplish anything with that talk either but it’s comfortable for them to talk about it together.

Yes, this is a group I am leaving behind.  They are lacking in my four standards:  1) critical analysis; 2) compassion and empathy; 3) Development of personal values for personal ethics and justice (rather than outsource their ethics to religion and justice to the government); and 4) Conflict Management. 

You asked about our being a Republic rather than Democracy?  You are right.  Technically we are, or should be, a Republic rather than a Democracy.  But everyone is so in love with the ideal of Democracy that they equate the United States with Ideal Democracy.  But in either case, it is not “representational”.  The legislature doesn’t represent the “masses” when it comes to gun control, or Defense spending, or how to count election votes or even if we should change our clocks twice a year. 

The voting today is based on the lobbying groups – a force/factor which didn’t exist at the time of the Constitution.  We have a “check and balance” system for three parts of the government (although none for the Judicial system any more) but the Lobbying groups are recent and so there are not checks and balances for them.  And the powers that be would rather keep it that way because they can control more of the money as long as the Lobbyists are not controlled. 

I see such a difference between US Democracy and Ideal Democracy.  I would fight for Ideal Democracy but I won’t fight to continue US Democracy.  US Democracy is not worth fighting for. 

My retreat, I have come to learn, is not a retreat from everyone.  Rather it is retreat from all that doesn’t matter to me.  I am avoiding all the people who don’t matter to me and where I don’t matter to them.  People are friendly, I have found, but few are desirous of making friends.  I am also withdrawing from activities that don’t matter.  And I’m enjoying this life. 

You are a person who has expressed an interest in me, and I really appreciate that.  I was 120% involved in the local UU church, in the local Rotary group, in the Interfaith Community, and even in the Independent Living facility.  Yet, no one was interested in having lunch or dinner with me, or getting together to just talk.  No one was interested in my thoughts or opinions or the experiences I have had throughout my journey.  I have learned how to be invisible.  And all I’m doing now is becoming involved only with those who are interested in me and I can have an interest in them.

I appreciated what you included in your letter about the goals of the “nationalist megachurches”.  I also resonated with your comments about how our society has become sheep following the advertising directives.  Our society started having their problems knowing what to believe because of the hyperboles of advertising.  We have come so accustomed to our advertisers that political decisions are determined by advertisers making 30 second “spots”.  There is no such thing as using critical analysis with advertisers.  And advertisers are pushing the Gospel of  “everything’s about you” rather than compassion and empathy.  Advertisers are great at dealing with product values of “good, better, best” but terrible in terms of developing any humanistic values.  And for any conflict in your life, you can always “buy” a solution.

You mentioned the fear of Social Security and Medicare getting cut off.  I’m not too worried about that.  It may change, but I don’t see it just disappearing.  That is “motivation by fear – of the unknown”.  If a person is concerned that money will run out, there is a very simple solution – remove the cap so that everyone pays SS regardless of how much money they make a year. 

And yes, the people who voted for Trump voted for him because of his personality, not because of his policies.  (I recognize that when Hillary ran against him.)  So now they have to reap what they has sown in their ignorance.  The problem is, so do we. 

Again, Democracy (or Representational Republic) is good  with two standards: 1) you have an intelligent and informed populace; and 2) you have a populace that will vote for the good of society even at a personal cost.  We have neither.  And of all the people discoursing against Trump, I don’t see anyone effectively changing that sad arrangement.

Again, thanks for writing and showing some appreciation/interest in me as a person with my own thoughts, ideas, and feelings.

Please tell me more about what Willow is doing in Texas and with her life.  It seems that you’ve done a great job of raising her not to be materialistic.  (Smile)

David