No matter occurred to the concept of the “frequent good”? It appears to have been washed out by the recurrent flood of hatred, cruelty, lies, and cold-heartedness that marks the present MAGA political period.
Wiping out help to ravenous hundreds of thousands world wide by gutting USAID was the opening gun for this coverage. Tons of of 1000’s of persons are already dying in Africa on account of this murderous coverage. Invoice Gates, to his credit score, referred to as it out in stark phrases (talking of Elon Musk who led the cost): “the richest man on the earth is killing the poorest kids on the earth.”
This cruelty comes house at this time as 42 million poor People might be disadvantaged of their SNAP advantages and go hungry. Most of its recipients are seniors, households with children, and folks with disabilities. Since its origin in melancholy days, SNAP “has by no means been disrupted this fashion.”*
This federal program is a part of the value being paid for the federal government shutdown, which is occurring as a result of the president ordered the minority Home chief, Mr. Johnson, to not negotiate with Democrats to finish the stalemate. Johnson has given Congress an unprecedented five-week trip in fealty to his grasp. He has deserted each his job and his Christian faith to take action.
A lot, if not all, of the reluctance to name Congress again into session is as a result of decided effort to guard billionaire associates of Mr. Epstein from the discharge of the information that may implicate a few of them. Simply as the brand new e book by sufferer Virginia Giuffre implicated ex-Prince Andrew, who’s lastly paying a worth for his crimes towards underage ladies.
What number of American potentates in excessive locations are urging Trump to maintain the Epstein information eternally beneath wraps? Johnson is doing precisely that by refusing to swear within the latest member of Congress.
Behind the politics of cruelty can be a politics of hoarding. The identical billionaires who obtained a $4 trillion tax aid don’t need to see SNAP funds launched. With their tremendous wealth, they’re shopping for up American media hand over fist to regulate information and knowledge.
There are numerous methods the cash might be launched, even throughout a authorities shutdown. By no means earlier than in American historical past, even throughout authorities shutdowns, has SNAP been minimize off.
Cruelty has been raised to the extent of coverage in MAGA politics. Whether or not one is speaking about ripping law-abiding and tax-paying immigrants from their jobs and their households by masked males working for ICE, or about utilizing tear gasoline and picket bullets to assault non-violent protestors objecting to those strongarmed techniques, or establishing “inhumane situations” in ICE services the place victims are being held.**
Its goal is to generate worry. Cruelty runs deeply within the veins of at this time’s politics, the place costs for well being care are skyrocketing to the purpose that hundreds of thousands will lose their well being safety starting this month.
Cruelty comes from a really darkish and harmful place within the unexamined dungeon of the soul. Psychologist Erich Fromm, on learning Twentieth-century historical past, concluded that sadism and taking pleasure in others’ struggling are born of self-hatred.
The hatred we witness in at this time’s model of authoritarian politics derives from a deep place of self-hatred certainly.
A clever particular person as soon as mentioned, “Love others as you like your self.” Its obverse can simply occur: “Hate others as deep down you hate your self.” When rage and revenge dominate and forgiveness is missing, hate has its day. And cruelty. And sadism.
Love is the one remedy for hate, and it begins “at house”, as Meister Eckhart put it, “with one’s personal physique and one’s personal soul.” Will we ever be taught?
*Jennifer Ludden, “SNAP runs out of cash Nov. 1. Right here’s what which means in your state,” The NPR Community.
** CHRISTINE FERNANDO, Related Press, “Advocates allege ‘inhumane’ situations at Chicago-area ICE facility in new lawsuit,” ABC Information.
Banner Picture: “You’re in good firm; hundreds of thousands of People use USDA FOOD stamps.” Flyer from the U.S. Meals and Diet Service, 1970. Wikimedia Commons
Queries for Contemplation
How central a job do you see cruelty enjoying in at this time’s MAGA politics? How are you spreading mild on such darkness? How have you ever realized to like each self and neighbor?
Beneficial Studying
Trump & The MAGA Motion as Anti-Christ
Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Reworking Evil in Soul & Society
A Spirituality Named Compassion: Uniting Mystical Consciousness with Social Justice
Creation Spirituality: Liberating Items for the Peoples of the Earth
Meditations with Meister Eckhart: A Centering Ebook
The Hidden Spirituality of Males: Ten Metaphors For Awakening the Sacred Masculine
