Vision Testing Time for Congress

I am reminded as Congress prepares to re-ignite after its summer break that it might be prudent for all of them to get their vision checked. I'm not referring to their eyes but to their capacity to "envision" a new future while coming to terms with the magnitude of the crisis this nation is facing and the fact that they themselves are a central part of America's crisis. Consider, for example, that our Senators and Congressmen and Congresswomen are bracing themselves to solve the problems of our nation with legislation. That position alone calls for some visionary adjustments; to wit, our nation is not facing a tsunami of problems. Problems by their very nature have solutions, remedies, outcomes. Rather we are a nation confounded by predicaments and predicaments do not have solutions. A visionary would see that. A visionary would recognize that predicaments are greater than problems. They demand change at the philosophical base, change at the core. A predicament requires a transformation.

For example, I would call the power lock down between the Republicans and Democrats a predicament and not a problem. This nation needs its representatives to undergo a transformation of their egocentric power plays for the sake of the survival of our nation. They really do have to put this nation first and not their own careers. They really do have to pull together to make wise policies at this critical time because America's base of power is imploding. But are they capable of seeing that? Can you imagine these pride-driven individuals even grappling with idea of this challenge? I'm not sure Speaker of the House Pelosi could sit still long enough for the significance of the question to sink in. I think of the response by Senator Diane Feinstein the other day when asked about pursuing an investigation of torture under the Bush/Cheney years, specifically, "It would not be wise at this time," and it gave me great pause. When would investigating how and why we lost our moral high ground be wise, Senator Feinstein? Exactly when would such an investigation be suitable? Your lack of wisdom and that of others like you in not recognizing the significance of how our nation was compromised bit by bit by such actions as torture is precisely how problems eventually become predicaments. You and others like you simply refuse to investigate them because of a lack of courage to deal with the consequences of such investigations. You certainly have no problem in denying knowledge of these matters, which always amazes me. To be clear, I am amazed at what all of you claim you don't know, not your endless talent for denial.

So here's the size of America's predicament. The vast majority of the American Congress was formed and carved and molded from the values and mind set of the last century -- the last century. Repeat those words. And the vast majority is stuck in the last century. They are laden with lobbyist obligations and old world ideas about "problem solving" - namely that all problems can be resolved by spending more money, initiating new legislation, or by invading and bombing. If we are learning nothing else by the debacle of the Iraq/Afghanistan Wars, we should learn that invasion in an age of terrorism resolves nothing because terrorism is not a problem. Terrorism is a global predicament that demands a new way of thinking. We need 21st Century envisioning. Our Congress has proven to be a group of individuals incapable of envisioning creative pathways through all impending crises: resolutions on global climate change, the economic crises that began under the Bush administration, the state budget's going bankrupt, a strategy to end two wars that should never have begun, and a federal deficit that is unimaginable. In short, they have an extraordinary aptitude for failing to consider the long range consequences of any of their present day decisions. Worse, they show an absolute lack of any ability to envision ways of working through their own small-mindedness in order to jump-start America's entrepreneurial engine. If ever there was a time when this nation could use creative visionaries and leadership we actually respected instead of carnival barkers who offer nothing more than criticism of the opposite party, it is now.

I still hold on to hopes that Obama has what it takes to be a visionary. He hit the high notes in his campaign and he has a refined and elegant spirit. But he is losing that high ground and that's obvious. He is caving to criticism and diluting his energies. He needs to run a tighter ship and he needs to toughen up. One of the most difficult challenges in this human world is for a visionary to stand alone - and most of them end up doing exactly that. He is wise enough to recognize that America is in a crisis of predicaments and not a batch of problems. But let's face it. He is up against a Republican force that is now convinced that they have him on the run with this health care bill. Yet, as I listened to the folly of the Town Hall meetings, I noted as a long time student of military history that only a losing army would send its minions in to do its dirty work. And disruptive screaming is dirty work if there ever was dirty work for hire. These actions indicate the familiar swift boat strategy of a desperate and ruthless Republican party and not one that actually has a worthy leader somewhere in the wings or visionary ideas that could inspire the American people. By their behavior, they still show themselves to be a party of mere carnival barkers and to be honest, that is tragic for all of us because all of us pay the price for their fear. We learned that all too well under the Bush administration.

Perhaps Obama will have his vision adjusted when Congress comes back into session. It would be more than refreshing to watch him come back to life again, having shed a bit of his "Team of Rivals" innocence in which he assumes he can work, like Lincoln, with his adversaries as well as his supporters. And though Lincoln was from Illinois, Obama needs to remember he's from the south side of Chicago.

Comments

[Ernest Truly]

Horrible. New age sloganeering to mask sneering attacks on those lacking Myss' brand of "wisdom" Please take her off Huffpost, this is embarassing.

[xs10shl1]

Caroline Myss,
Thank You for this brilliant essay.
Two things occurring that would make me believe this Pres. had read and heeded your wisdom:
He would terminate his chief of staff (can't bear to type his name) , Geithner, and Summers, NOW.
He would bring Single Payer Advocate/Leaders to his table NOW.
Oh, & btw he would ignore the how-shall-I-put-it? lunatics assailling this country, and reinstate Mr. Van Jones.
What would REALLY get my attention is a white house meeting with David Sirota, You, Dennis Kucinich, Howard Dean, Bill Moyers, Jeremy Scahill and other Progressive thinkers/writers. Oh, yeah, and throw in a BUNCH of those fantastic Kennedys for good measure, yes indeed.
Thanks, again.

[janeycat]

I agree whole heartialy......can we send this to ouw ellected officials?????
i to think it should be sent

[lldorward]

Thank you, thank you! This is what I've been saying in discussions for a long time, but you put it so eloquently. Can this be sent to every member of both House and Senate? ESPECIALLY the Senate.

[RAAASR]

Please make Myss a regular. She is fond of saying that America is not a country of wisdom. This is so obvious it seems trite to say it. But it is so frighteningly true that we need to hear from the wise. How do we get the "power brokers" to understand the difference between problems and predicaments?. How do we stop the madness that America has become?

Mr. President: Since our children's parents are afraid to have them communicate with you, may I give it a shot. There are MILLIONS of us not on Fox, not on CNN, not in the public arena who voted for a visionary. We do support you. We are ready for transformation--not change. Transformation requires wisdom. Any idiot can change a lightbulb. Recognize the difference between problems and predicaments.

[Eurynome30]

Fabulous to see Caroline Myss on Huff Post - a heartily welcomed addition to this political force. Look forward to reading many more transformational and insightful articles.

[am22]

Amen.

[bighat]

I agree with your article except about Sen Fienstein.

These members of congress are too set in their ways and all believe (both parties) that money is the answer.

Obama may have vision but he is one man. The house and the senate need someone with equal vision and charisma for any transformations. Only one way for things to go right and it is a big one. All incumbents need to be voted out. They have been there too long. We can only hope that with new blood there will be some with vision and charisma. I am not asking anyone to change their party. Run someone new in the primary. Preferably someone successful at whatever they do. I prefer a small businessman but would not mind a teacher (teacher not admin)

You disagree with Sen Fienstein. Perhaps she has learned from previous wars the last one involving the Clinton investigation. Investigating Bush and his admin maybe satisfying to some but to face reality what will we see? 2 billion documents with everything but the A's, and's and the's marked out.
Billions spent. Final outcome. Some low people in govt lose their jobs but nothing happens to Cheney or Bush. We will just embarrass ourselves over the years to come.

Should Obama begin a transformation with congress will we know, will we be able to help or will the country just become divided over partisan investigations?

[boomerOK]

WOW! brilliant and sooo accurate assesment. Could not agree more!

[Dots]

It has always felt to me like a new President goes into office with high aspirations and energy and then learns some secret (not for public knowledge) and is crushed by the enormity of it.

Each of these predicaments have actually become a living being because we give them so much of our energy. Perhaps an exorcism?

[dynwit]

VERY WELL SAID. Although I am disappointed with Obama, it's time for the Progressives to sit up and notice that their abandonment of him has allowed the sharks to circle in for the k.!.l.l. The Repubs smell blo0d in the water and think they can win the day. And these are not your mother's Republicans. These are the foaming-at­-the-mouth­, b@tsh!t cr@zy ones who want to destroy this country before they will allow a Democrat to make any necessary changes. Above all else, we cannot let the Repubs get back into power. This is the administration we voted for and, like it or not, it's the one we have to work with for the next four years. We might not get the drastic changes that we really need, but even small changes are better than the absolute non-vision that Repubs have to offer. STEP UP TO THE PLATE, lawmakers and American people!!!! We have deep, deep PREDICAMENTS that will require sacrifice on all parts! Stop pandering to our worst side! Reach deep into the heart of American goodness and find our true character and USE IT TO SAVE US.

[Sitco]

Dynwit, thank you for this wake-up/reminder that our honeymoon with the "man we married" in November can only end if we walk away. We need to support this man to get the footing he is sorely lacking right now. At his request and our determination, we collectively sent him into the world's greatest cesspool and we're offended by the smell! Now is an urgent opportunity for us to strenghthen the incredible man of intellect and vision who campaigned so successfully. Let's do it.

[SPQR1775]

I agree with you 110%, however YES President OBAMA energies is ebbing, but it ebbs or flow when we ebb or flow. The million of supporters who got President O into office, has so far not rally to his side, and maybe because he has thus far placade the GOP in everything. I think that was a wise decision initially, but now going forward when the GOP said he is not showing them any efforts of working together, he should say I gave you great opportunity, against my better judgement in the HOPES that you would do what's right for and by America and you decide to do what's right for your pocket books and your lobbyist friends. From this day forth, the Democratic party and our supporters, black, white, hispanic, asian, first americans, gay straight, independents and yes Republicans will dow aht's right by America for AMERICANS. THIS IS OUR TIME AMERICA, this is our moment and this ship the USS AMERICA will sail into the epoch of a great awakening and enlightenment, Healthcare for All, Education for all that we can afford, a renewed workforce and a sense of morality, honesty, enlightenment, temperance, industry, economy and perseverance in service of God and fellow man. That is the America we seek, that is the America we will have when "EACH ENDEAVOR, All will ACHIEVE! YES WE CAN!

[eileenflemingWAWA]

We Must!

Governments have obligations. People have RIGHTS!

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights...

"To secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; and, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the RIGHT of the people to Alter or to Abolish it. -July 4, 1776. The Declaration of Independence

[eileenflemingWAWA]

The eyes of Congress have been blinded by AIPAC.

"Foreign Agents: The American Israel Public Affairs Committee from the 1963 Fulbright Hearings to the 2005 Espionage Scandal" exposes how US Middle East policy has been formulated and thrives due to the dearth of relevant reporting on AIPAC's activities and coupled with the fear of being labeled anti-Semitic by a media who have failed at their commission to seek and report the truth have all colluded to exert an undue influence over Congress and thus; we the people of America to be "under the de facto influence of a powerful foreign interest."

"Patriot Follows the Money and Exposes Foreign Agents" @

http://www.wearewideawake.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=959&Itemid=202

[SMU]

How elegantly put, I so agree with the predicament concept, although I'm afraid there is too much opposition to this idealistic approach. I believe we are stuck in this predicament.

[babaann]

Agree, and our reps are not bracing themselves to solve anything.

They won't until their careers depend on it.

We'll have to make that happen.

[eileenflemingWAWA]

Dear SMU,

The battle within is between cynicism/giving up/accepting the current reality and true HOPE!

"HOPE has two children. The first is ANGER at the way things are. The second is COURAGE to DO SOMETHING about it."-St. Augustine

"Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one...Reality leaves a lot to the imagination.”-John Lennon

Silence is complicity and we the people pay the salaries of elected reps and the funds that wage war.

Dissent is essential in a democracy and requires an engaged citizenry.

"If you are not a part of the solution-you are a part of the problem."-Eldridge Cleaver

"We have seen the enemy and he is US."-pogo

Do something-phone, FAX, email and snail mail your reps and "be the change you want to see in the world."-Gandhi

[keepyourheaddown*]

GREAT! Thank you Caroline... what you have said is so true...

Thanks for your input and wisdom...