Where I'm at now and where do we go from here?

Things seem to be looking good these days. It seems to me that maybe by electing Obama, the US is saying we want to be in fellowship with the rest of the world; we are not afraid, we do not hate. If we are actually past the mode of unceasing hostility and paranoia, we will then have to address a vast array of problems. The creativity and energy which has gone into making was may now begin to be channeled into making a pleasant home for the many beings with whom we share this sphere. Ignorance, poverty, absurd values...fortunately many people have been working quietly of solutions to them all, and if the dinosaurs of greed and hatred are extincted, then the mammals of peace and brotherhood may flourish.*9

"Oh how I wonder, oh how I worry and I would dearly like to know If all this wonder of earthly plunder will leave us anything to show And our time is flyin' see the candle burnin' low It’s the new world rising, from the shambles of the old If we could just join hands."
("The Rover", Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti 1975)

One of the most daunting issues is the war on intelligence.
Early on in childhood, smart kids and teachers are poked fun at and portrayed as humorless losers, pedantic bores, snobs, elitists, grinds, etc.
Right now I'm in a living situation where I can observe at close range the effects of "dumbing down". I am also observing in myself the effects of being reluctant to appear smart for fear of making others feel inadequate somehow.
In the past I didn't mind being a bore and I was usually a good audience for others, no matter how boring or trite their conversations. Also I avoided making suggestions as to how things can be improved as I realized early on that people don't want to hear suggestions. I learned to shut up and have also shut down almost completely just to be able to live at peace.
But this blogging thing is a wonderful device where I can actually say what I really think and don't have to wave it in anyone's face. If they are interested, they can read it and if not, so be it.
I just do need to have an outlet other than my sketchbooks, although I feel safer having no one really know what I think or feel. The exceptions are my sons, who have gotten earfuls throughout their lives.
I don't think it has done them any harm, frankly.

Envisioning

"Where there is no vision, the people perish"

Proverbs 29:18

This morning I was checking out the game "Budget Hero", on American Public Media. It's a neat game and rather informative, but it set me off on another train of thought...
There is no beautiful unifying vision that would motivate the people to make the necessary changes to cut the governing body back to practically nothing; in other words, to put the governing power square in the laps of "We the People'", which is where it belongs.

OK, an aside here - I am currently in the employ of the Federal Government under the auspices of SSI. My official title is "Crazy Person", but my real mission is research and development.
I love this country. I have travelled back and forth from coast to coast and from border to border, by bus and ridesharing. I've had long soul-searching conversations with people on the 3-day transcontinental busride. I have lived in homeless shelters, hostels,and communes.
I have 'sofa surfed' for a long smooth 6 year ride on a perfect wave. I've busked and dumpster dived and attended Rainbow gatherings and Phish concerts. I've sang and danced and shared Ritz crackers in a New Orleans park with several delightful black gentlemen who appeared to be day-laborers, but were jazzmen of the highest caliber.
But, alas, all good things must end, or at least be put on "hold" for a bit. (At least until I get a laptop;-)
Right now I have to give voice to the people and places I have shared existence with, and loved.

But, back to the subject at hand, having dealt with the criticism that I "take money from the government, so how dare I complain."(Hey, excuse me for thinking that my life is at least as valuable as a tank or bomb, OK?)
The beauty of this country resides in it's people, it's freedom and in the endless beauty of the land. It is criminal to diminish any of these blessings in favor of an institution that serves none of them.