An American Problem

From 'The Guardian'

The problem--pernicious and real--is an American problem.  It's a democracy problem.  Whether it's the pharmaceutical industry or the gun lobby or the big oil companies, organized money (organized "big" money) continues to distort discussion of hugely important issues like health care for our people and the safety of our children and the future of our planet.  The influence of "big" money is inhibiting our creativity, our smarts and our capacity for democratic change and innovation.

And that's the problem.

What 'The Guardian' suggests is pretty simple.  The same problem distorts our understanding of the conflict in Palestine/Israel.  We allow this.  We allow powerful lobbies to spend money (lots of it) influencing candidates, and then elected representatives; and their influence shapes conversations that require clear-headed, even-tempered, thoughtfully-considered participation.  

This is about us.  Our problem.  If the democratic experiment is to shine, to evolve, to address the terribly sad and devastating problems of the 21st century, we've got to protect that experiment, and improve on it.   With more democratic innovation, not less.  With more freedom and thoughtfulness, not less.  

People of faith--I'd suggest--have a huge stake in this.  We believe that the Maker insists on compassionate and nonviolent solutions to human conflict.  We believe that we humans have the spiritual and grace-infused capacity for collaborative peacemaking.  So it's on us to be vigilant: it's on us to insist that our democratic traditions and institutions move forward, clear of the distorting influence of corporate power and moneyed interests.  

It's an American problem.