And the Winner Is?

So the election results now in, south of the border I feel inspired to offer my reflections. Without question, from many vantage points mine might be the least sought after perspective. After all, I've not attended any "Ivy League" college or University, I think there was some ivy growing on the building at the Community College I attended and I did walk through a patch of stinging nettles once in shorts so I've done some living. Perhaps I'll begin my musings by wondering aloud - would the afore mention education better qualify me to weigh in or, by the time I completed an undergraduate degree, followed by a Masters, then perhaps I reach for the "pinnacle" and attain a Phd. ("Piled high and deep") am I more or less able to think for myself? Given the need to operate and become "educated" within a particular set of parameters and criteria, well, suffice to say that's many layers of dogma undergone to shape my world view. Now I'll grant you even so, I don't have an absolute objective view - I've got dogma of my own that I'm wading through (doing my utmost to release that which doesn't serve as I become aware of it - still "it's a process") I attended a group workshop last evening (in my home town of Victoria - Canada) where the "check-in" was, for most in attendance, very impersonal in that there was commentary after commentary on the U.S. election) now granted "our" country is impacted by the government there and it's policies (as are many other countries in the world) still I can't help wonder if the whole "presidential race" is a well orchestrated (extremely expensive) diversion and "reality-esque"form of t.v. entertainment that distracts people from what actually matters in their own life, their community, their country and the world. Really will there be a significant difference between the leadership of one party over the other? Those campaigns cost millions of dollars both parties are being bankrolled by corporate concerns that don't have anything but their profit margins as their reason for being - does it really make any difference if those agendas are being represented by the guy that isn't concerned about making any pretense that he (or she) is there for anything but their corporate allies or the guy that smiles and speaks eloquently while bending you over and stripping you of all your rights and freedoms while telling you your best interest is at heart. It's a bit like "Coke" or "Pepsi" doesn't matter which way you go, they will both rot your teeth and are not good for you. From what little I've paid attention, with respect to media "coverage" (seriously what's the point - what sort of true discourse can be attained from sound bites, slanderous bi-partisan ads and the other methods of mass manipulation and slight of hand employed - from what I've heard more than once, is that never has the population been so polarized than throughout this election - that division remains, I don't believe it just vanishes because a victor has been declared. So what now then, for the "United States" I'm hearing, there is significant division in the "Union,"the same divisive energy seems to exist from what I can glean, with the "United Nations"There seems to be some disparity in existence in the languaging of these institutions. A bit like called the American baseball play-offs the "World Series" it doesn't ring true for me. I can appreciate those that love their country and their game and even though the collective salaries of the athletes, the take at the gates the monies exchanged in advertising and endorsement might equal or exceed the GDP of some small countries - it is not the "World" series. So how do "we" get back to a conversation (or maybe more accurately start one) that reminds those in the continental U.S. that they are in it all together. Before I'm accused of asserting some sort of Nationalist self-righteousness - first of all have you ever heard of an "assertive Canadian" it's an oxymoron isn't it? Or could be just more of that "dogma."Secondly we are no strangers to divisiveness north of the border, politically there might be a few more parties, that actually manage to get seats at the table, but so far as the governing party goes (Nationally) it's one or the other. So maybe an extra couple of shells in our game - but not unlike the sideshow version, though one swears they never took their eye off "the shell" it comes up empty and continuing to play, sends you home with your pockets cleaned out. Canada likes to think of itself as this "multi-cultural mosaic" that's the buzz - meanwhile I've been privy to many a lunchroom conversation that contains such inflammatory observations as "they" are taking all of "our jobs"Aren't all of "us" entitled to be gainfully employed? (if we so choose). I did some travelling abroad last year - through some countries where English is not the first language - it gave me some idea of what it's like to be a "minority" - it really heightened for me, a sense of disconnection through my inability to effectively communicate (of course I could have learned the language - well, some of those countries were visited somewhat spontaneously, once I was over there, so there was no "preparation"- the other thing is as may become more apparent as you read this, I'm still endeavouring to master English - first things first! Even still the lack of even rudimentary language in the Balkan countries and my self-image of reasonable intelligence and ability to articulate is reduced to waving my arms around and making sounds that I'm sure don't convey intelligence. My point being, when people muster the courage to leave the life they know behind (often under duress) doesn't that merit some compassion and acknowledgement for what they have undertaken? Oh ya "it's a free country" here - you're free to pay taxes here and support the local economy, even go to war if called upon to do so, "this is Canada" you best start doing things "our way" I have news for those that think along these lines, "we" don't have a way "we are a rag-tag group of descendants, from mass immigration, from multiple lands and cultures. Many don't know their ancestors beyond a generation or two and if they know further of their lineage, they may well know very little of their ways. Canada is not old enough to actually have a way! Could be a golden opportunity to be a leader - more or less from the ground up become a model to the world of enlightened co-existence, however......... Presently the tenuous Canadian identity is being usurped by a government that once again represent corporate interests, Lets face it if this whole trickle down theory had any validity it would have worked by now - nobody "downstream" is any better off. Our reputation as a "peace-keeping" nation is being seriously compromised (if it exists any more at all) and the fall back position of having the best hockey is overshadowed by a strike - more divisiveness. That would leave the beer - do we really want to have that the only remaining pillar of the Canadian identity? (I'm almost afraid to pose the question) It requires colossal energy to maintain these entrenched positions - back and forth we swing across political spectrums, from pole to pole - now can we listen to Rodney King - "Can't we all just get along?" In fairness the politicians are scapegoated "we" scream for change and elect the same people, not even by default, there are alternatives, with fresh ideas and inspiration, but they are over-looked scoffed at frequently. "They have no experience." Exactly how much of the status quo experience will it take in order to make attractive a new experience? So let's be clear, you can't demand change and vote for the same one or two parties they don't represent "change" - they don't even want change, they want to just keep on doing what they've already been doing - they are just waiting for the green light granted post election day. So don't claim you want change unless you're prepared to have things get different - really, truly different, otherwise just say what you mean, that you don't want anything to change including, complaining about that nothing is changing! Let us consider our own bodies, do the liver and kidneys decide "we're" part of the purifying, detoxifying team surely you can't expect us to cooperate with the elimination team - they're foul, we can not ally ourselves with the likes of bladder or bowel! Or the lungs deciding, well yes we do serve primarily the same function however that additional lobe - really quite unseemly - I think we must separate and though it may be argued the head and heart have been opposed for all time, they really are on the same team. Usually rogue entities in this system are cancerous. Are not these deeply venerated ideologies, mind-sets, and agendas every bit as invasive to the human race and ultimately the planet? Nature abounds with examples of symbiosis and interdependence - instead of learning from that and recognizing we as humans are part of that we are led down the garden path by our "leaders" - amused to no end by the follie of their quite possibly staged engagement. Did I say to "no end" lest we forget, there was a precedent set quite some time ago which involved humans being misled in a garden, as I recall it didn't "end" well.