The Tragedy of Mother Theresa

In her lifetime Mother Theresa attained iconic status as a handmaiden of God. Tragically, her public image and her inner reality were far from resonant. The recent publication of "Mother Theresa: Come Be My Light," a compendium of her letters, reveals the inner desolation and torment she lived with for the last fifty years of her life. How could one so dedicated to doing God's work be so desolate and so miserable for so long?

I believe the answer to that question lies in fundamental beliefs about God and human relations with God that Mother Teresa embraced as a Catholic. The notion that "God is separate from myself" is fundamental to Catholicism (and most variants of Christianity as well as the other Western religions) despite the fact that Jesus taught "the kingdom of heaven is within." Where else might one find God than in His/Her kingdom- within myself? There is also the extremely destructive emphasis in Catholicism on "myself as a sinner," hopeless, helpless and eternally damned without the intervention of God who lies outside myself.

We create our own reality with the mind, and our beliefs are primary drivers in that creative process. If I believe that God is separate from myself, then I will look outside myself to find Him/Her, especially if I also believe that I myself am an unworthy sinner. But since the reality is that I am already One with that unified wholeness that we call God, there is nothing to be found outside that wholeness. Therefore if I look outside myself for God I will find nothing, because the reality is that there is nothing outside myself to find. Religious demagogues and their misguided acolytes have been misleading seekers for centuries into rejecting themselves as unworthy sinners and looking outside themselves for salvation.

Mother Theresa reported the reality of her experience...honestly, and tragically. Her belief system, reinforced by her spiritual advisers, prevented her from seeking fulfillment outside the limitations of that belief system. This led her to persevere, heroically but futilely, in a spiritual dry hole. If she had had a framework that would have allowed her to re-characterize her experience she may have been able to find her salvation within herself, where it was patiently waiting for her.

Where are the Real Republicans?

Where are the real Republicans? You know, the ones who believe in limited, transparent government, checks and balances, fiscal responsibility, taking care of yourself, minding your own business, strong national defense.

The current crop of Republicans seem to believe in such principles only where they apply to limit the ability of anyone to challenge their power (refusal to comply with Congressional subpoenas; exempting themselves from the FOIA), or where they deny government support to individual people (the current campaign to deny health insurance to uninsured children). But these principles do not seem to apply to limits on the wielding of power as long as those in power are Republicans (waging war with borrowed money; executive secrecy), or where power over individual people is the issue (unsupervised wiretapping; abandonment of habeas corpus). There are dozens of such issues in play where the power over individuals by government and corporate interests has been expanded and where the ability of individuals to challenge that power has been diminished. Folks, this is not conservatism. This is corruption and the consolidation of power for its own sake.

Seems to me that our Founders well understood the impulse to abuse power and set up our system to minimize the damage any individual or group could do. In the past it was Republicans who were most vigilant in guarding against such abuses of power. I know there must be real Republicans out there. I implore you to take back your party. We need real Republicans, just as we need real Democrats. The fundamental impulses of these two parties are not mutually exclusive, they are complementary. Balance is the key, which requires ongoing vigilance and occasional corrective action as well as mutual respect. We'll see what the Democrats do when they get back into power, but right now it is the Republicans who have lost their way and need to get back to their roots.

The Politics of Unity

The politics of unity is the simple yet sublime process of consolidating the disparate interests of society into public policy that supports all the people. Such a process requires that our elected representatives give themselves over to that process, and it requires a political environment of tolerance, mutual respect and open and honest debate. It is not compatible with the corrupting influences of negative campaigns and nonstop fund raising that characterize our current political process. We the people can enforce such a regime by refusing to be manipulated by demagogues, by demanding an end to big money political campaigns, and by giving our support to those leaders who exhibit wisdom, emotional maturity and a genuine desire to engage in public service. The politics of unity is not necessarily something that every citizen will be able to practice, but I think that everyone should be able to recognize that in the long run it is in their best interest to give their support to leaders who can and do.

Are Democrats Really So Lame?

Kudos to Salon's Joan Walsh for her brilliant review of Matt Bai's "The Argument" entitled "Are Democrats really so lame?" This tour de force puts our current political battles in (modern) historical perspective and highlights the real issues confronting us, which are easy to forget in the midst of the shouting match/spin fest that passes for political debate these days.

I haven't read Bai's book yet, but Walsh's review is essential reading for anyone wanting to clarify for themselves what the current political war is all about.

I Propose a Debate

Two people put forth very thoughtful commentaries on war today that deserve ongoing attention and debate.

Glenn Greenwald in his blog "The rigid pro-war ideology of the foreign policy community" looks into the mindset of what he calls the Foreign Policy Establishment and their propensity for waging wars that are "in the national interest" rather than just in self defense.

Victor Davis Hanson in his article "Why Study War?"cites the history and, in his opinion, inevitability of war while arguing for broader study and greater cultural awareness of the history and art of war.

I would like to propose a debate, or mutual commentary, between these two thinkers, based on the issues raised in their respective pieces. This interchange can take place here, on The Greater Good, or wherever suits the writers. Both of these pieces raise serious issues about war in a thoughtful way that could be further illuminated with ongoing debate and commentary. This is a critical issue for America today and we can all benefit from the interchange.

BCA Research on the Credit Crunch

BCA Research is one of the best in the economic forecasting business. Their thoughts today on the current market correction:

"Caution is still in order in the near term, but a concerted policy response should put a floor under risky assets and pave the way for a subsequent rebound. Three key factors underpin our view: 1) the odds of a U.S. recession remain low and the rest of the global economy is strong; 2) the Fed will take additional steps as necessary to stabilize financial markets, with a cut in the Fed funds target rate likely to follow soon, and; 3) markets will respond favorably to a change in Fed policy. Bottom line: markets will remain volatile in the near term, but policy support suggests financial market turmoil should begin to ease in the weeks ahead."

Best Ever Op-Ed on Iraq

Today's New York Times carries an op-ed by seven soldiers who are currently serving or who have recently returned from serving in Iraq, entitled "The War as We Saw It." This is by far the most well informed and honest opinion piece I have seen on the war.

Best on Jesus

"Love Without End" by Glenda Green.

Best book I have seen on the teachings of Jesus. Expansive, inspiring and intellectually satisfying.

More on Credit Hysteria

On Thursday morning, the Dow was down 8.2% from its highs on a closing basis with a Wednesday intra-day low of minus 10.7% (S&P down 9.1% and 12% respectively). In the face of this very normal correction the Fed dropped the discount rate 1/2% and signaled that it will do whatever it takes to calm the markets. Why?

If you want a blow by blow there is a torrent of commentary in all the media. You can read all the reasons why the economy is at risk and the sky is falling, reasons that have been extant for years by the way, that are suddenly urgent. There is a good article on Salon by Andrew Leonard that explains the basics in layman's terms. But let's go right to the bottom line first.

The bottom line is this is not the end; this is not the top. In the final analysis that's all you need to know. Of course we are playing probability games here, so there is always a chance that any given day is the end. But on this particular day the chances are very small. This does not mean that there are not issues, problems, perhaps even fatal problems with our financial system. It means that for the vast majority of us, unless we are directly involved with the mortgage industry, this is not the day that the piper is going to be paid. Why?

The most important indicator has to do with sentiment. Markets are products of human psychology. The fuel for the markets is fear and greed. Market tops are made with greed induced enthusiasm and bottoms are made with fear induced despair. The level of negative sentiment displayed over the past two weeks, rising beyond mere despair to the level of outright hysteria, is the sign of a market bottom, not a top.

However, the Fed move to drop the discount rate 1/2% with the economy humming along and the Dow down a mere 8% from its highs tells you something. It tells you that the Fed is very afraid of the credit bubble collapsing. This is a conversation for another day, but the practical implication is that the Fed will move aggressively to halt any downside momentum. I have learned from bitter experience that it does not pay to fight the Fed. It does pay, however, to follow in its wake.

The Dead Document

An excellent column in today's Denver Post by Ed Quillen on the state of our Constitution under the Bush Administration, enabled by our cowardly Congress.

Primitive Politics

It seems that America is transfixed in a polarized state. We no longer know what "liberal" and "conservative" mean. They certainly no longer mean what they did ten years ago, considering that a so-called conservative administration has just run up the greatest deficit in history and waged two wars on borrowed money, and the previous so-called liberal administration severed millions from the public dole and opened our borders to job plundering by global corporations. But no matter. Whatever liberal and conservative mean, even if they are opposite of what we think they mean, we're certain that one or the other are nefarious and a threat to the republic.

We have fallen into a primitive state, a tribal mentality in which "we" are the good guys and the "others" are the bad guys. It matters not one whit if the reasons we are good and they are bad change regularly or even reverse from time to time. The fact is that since we are "we," and they are "they," then "we" will always be "good" and "they" will be "bad." Bad being worthless hateful scum deserving of all manner of terrible consequences just for being alive. If they are far enough away, we can even kill them, celebrating our righteousness as we do so. If they are too close to home, then we limit ourselves to undermining and discrediting them.

We need to be careful though. The constant demonization of your neighbor is a toxic seed that can bear frightful consequences. Before this downward cycle of polarization is done, I would not be surprised to see political violence in America. It would be far better for all of us if we realized that we have been duped by demagogues, reject the whole business of political polarization and look to the principles of unity to guide us.

Reflections on the Lie

Franklin Roosevelt demonstrated his idealism:

"Repetition does not transform a lie into a truth."

Lenin demonstrated that Communism and Democratic Capitalism have a lot in common:

"A lie told often enough becomes the truth."

While the real wisdom of the lie echoes through the ages from Plato:

"False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil."

Those engaged in the relentless "spin" in what passes for political dialogue these days would do well to contemplate the words of Plato.

Ignore Credit Hysteria

Negative sentiment regarding the sub-prime meltdown and subsequent normalization of credit spreads has reached the level of outright hysteria. Even people who should know better have suddenly morphed into Chicken Littles. I am one who is always ready to point out liabilities and weaknesses in the system, sometimes accused of being negative in fact, but this has gotten out of hand. The liabilities that bite you are the ones you aren't paying attention to. This one has already done its worst.

Credit spreads have been insanely narrow for a long time, distorting capital markets and enabling many marginal deals to be done. The normalization of credit spreads is a cleansing and strengthening event. It has already washed away many marginal players and it will force greater discipline on the marketplace, creating a healthier financial environment. The transition is, and will continue to be, painful for segments of the housing and mortgage markets, and for those who have grown accustomed to easy money from various "carry trades," but this is an overall positive development that will likely extend the life of the current expansion.

Update: The August 4th Economist goes into detail why "tighter credit conditions are just what the markets need."

The Fruit of Welfare "Reform"

A single mother leaves her two small children in the car while she goes to work. They expire in the heat. Link.

This one made the national press. But if you take the trouble to look, there are hundreds of cases like this every year where confused and overwhelmed single mothers make a mistake, or are pressured into a bad decision, and their children die or are seriously endangered as a result. This is the fruit of welfare "reform." And let's not even get into the contribution of single mother households to the gang problem.

The problem of single mothers is a complex one, and there are a wide range of responses to the problem ranging from all out welfare to forced adoption and sterilization. Either extreme is probably not what a "civilized" country should accept, but exactly how civilized is a society that leaves single mothers to flounder until they finally make a fatal error, and then arrests them and charges them with homicide?

Mothers are the most important people in our society. They are the grooms of the future. Government can't take care of everyone, or even all the single mothers. But government can certainly organize, pressure and jawbone for real solutions. What we have now is callous neglect that morphs into institutionalized brutality when a mistake is made.

Ironically, prison will probably be a blessing for this woman. At least she won't have to make any decisions or find a job. She will never be right after this.

Give Credit Where Credit is Due

Newt Gingrich delivered what I hope will be a watershed speech at the Young America's Foundation National Conservative Student Conference at George Washington University this week. While his comment that the war on terror is a "phony" war has gotten all the press, the greater significance of this speech was summed up in this comment:

"Republican political doctrine has been a failure."

The reason this statement is so significant is that one of the defining characteristics of the current Republican leadership is their absolute refusal acknowledge the validity of any criticism or to ever admit any fault or failure. It's refreshing and inspiring to hear a politician of any stripe speak his mind without the spin cycle, but especially a prominent Republican.

Newt's comments on the utter failure of Republican domestic policies are stunning in their bluntness and honesty. Regarding the so-called war on terror, he had this to say:

"We are today engaged in a phony war...None of you should believe we are winning this war...We have not been taking this seriously."

This last comment in particular is most significant. Where are the war bonds? Where is the war tax? What sacrifice have Americans been asked to make to meet this great threat to our nation? Where is the Manhattan Project to get us off our dependence on Mideast oil? The more significant comments in this speech have not gotten the coverage they deserve. I for one disagree with Newt's solution to the problem of terrorism, which is to be even more aggressive and militaristic, a certain path to ruin in my opinion, but the honesty of his speech and his opinions should be commended. We need much more of that in our political dialogue.