Equal Opportunity Corruption

I do not understand why anyone has been surprised by the Goldman Sachs bonuses this week.

I do not understand why anyone has been surprised at the vehemence of the lobbyist contingent on the healthcare front.

I do not understand why anyone has been surprised that Eric Holder is, at long last, considering prosecuting the Bush administration for their illegal torture policies.

I do not understand why anyone has made a hue or a cry about Mark Sanford's infidelity or about Roland Burris and his jockeying for Obama's Senate seat with Rod Blagojevich.

There's an admission to be made here, an admission that needs to pass the lips of every single citizen in America, of all stripes. My friends, in case you hadn't noticed we're living proof that we're all corrupt. All, no exceptions, even the noble ones. Corruption has become such an ordinary part of the fabric of our society that we barely even notice it any more.

There's a solution to the corruption but first, we get to figure out how we got this way. I think it's real simple. For decades, we've heard that we're first and foremost consumers. People who are consumers ... well, consume things. What is it to consume something?

The OED says that the word comes from Latin roots that mean to destroy altogether. And, whether we like it or not, isn't that what we've been doing for decades to our beautiful planet in our so-called civilization? Destroying altogether, sure. No more fossil fuels. No more pristine forests. Not even any more decent weather. In Boston, we joke that we're really in London.

Okay, so we've learned how to consume without stinting. We have the skill-set. The art, now, is to apply the skill-set to the definition we've accepted. We must consume the idea of being consumers, and replace that identification with something bigger, something healthier, and something more sustainable.

The first peoples of the Americas have a powerful proverb:

Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents; it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

I think, inherent in these lines, is the solution to the corruption. We must name it, speak of it, learn from it, grow through it, and then we must remember an old skill.

I don't know about you but whenever I borrow something from someone, I am especially careful with it. I am conscious that what I am being allowed to use is not mine, and that I must make extra time to attend to whatever it is appropriately. I am a steward to whatever I borrow.

Stewardship will solve the equal opportunity corruption in the United States if more and more of us will take our stewarding duties seriously. It's only going to work one individual at a time.

Dwight D. Eisenhower said that "a people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both." Unfortunately, I think we're past the point of no-return. We are so far from even knowing what our principles are, and so mired in measuring both ours and others' privileges, that we are quickly becoming an endangered species.

The fascinating thing, along with this alleged pessimism, is that I truly believe there is a Cosmic Plan, and that what is happening right now is meant for our individual and collective good. The issue isn't whether we will learn the lesson. We will. The issue is when.

For spiritual nourishment, visit susancorso.com.

Follow Dr. Susan Corso on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PeaceCorso

Comments

[Carolab]

Very Zen.

[CarmanK]

I don't think we are all corrupt. I think we inundated with all the news and near facts that surround individual politicians that we just get numbed by it all. I know my Senators are going to vote for health care. So, do I call them even though I know how they are going to vote. Do I call state reps? Will it really help to call the WH. I don't mind calling (hate to use the phone). Used to hate campaign calling but I got used to it. Anyway, corruption in govt is widespread in some areas. While some states really do keep a cap on corruption. Actually, come to think of it, it is a good thing to get the information out.

[One more Thing]

There is no point in discussing corruption until all the religious freaks are cleared out of our government.

Religion should be a personal thing. We need a Don't Ask Don't Tell program for all office holders and government employees.

No elected official or government employee should be allowed to talk about their religion and none should be permitted to ask others about their religion.

We have a DADT law on the books already so it not like we have to draft a whole new law.

[dieselis]

Apparently you struck a nerve three comments before this one. I hope you aren't disappointed. We all want to be victims. So there aren't any mirrors in the house, just the vanity ones. Its like my father always told me. You can run, but self doesn't have to play catch up. Its always right there. Yes our leaders need to change. Their just a larger and more concentrated portrait of ourselves.

[altohone]

Strange world you live in where being victimized is fine by you.
Dang straight it strikes a nerve being up against organized criminals AND those who blame society when prosecutions should be pending.

Being unaware of the multi-million dollar campaign to keep the guilty out of jail, no doubt the author of this post was also unaware how similar her message is to theirs.

Assuaging the author is fine, but for passing judgement there's a button right below the comment so you can reach me directly.

HuffPo techies! They're cool like that.
Glass houses...

[HST]

Let me answer all the things you don't understand:

1. It's our (the taxpayers) money.
2.It's our (the taxpayers) health.
3.Cause Obama said he would rather look forward than backward.

Does that clear it up for you?

[expired]

Health Care: The Public Plan Option

These Democratic Senators have NOT agreed to support it:
Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)

Senator Tom Carper (D-DE)

Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)

Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL)

Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE)

Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA)

Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND)

Senator Max Baucus (D-MT)

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)

Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN)

Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR)

Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT)

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)

These names are reported by The Hill here and here

Update: Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) says she supports a public option.
Update: Senator Jeff Binghaman (D-NM) says he supports a public option.

You can also contact the White House and voice your opinion
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414

[altohone]

The best way for the corrupt to get away with it is posts like this that blame everybody instead of the guilty.


So few made the decisions that led to our current situation, yet the focus is on everybody but them.
Bunk.
Dr. Let Them Off The Hook and Blame Yourself doesn't speak for me.