The Flourishing Body: In Times of Betrayal
My thoughts on how to flourish in a time of social upheaval and the ethics of confrontation.
Ten Democratic senators, led by the Senate majority leader, Senator Chuck Schumer, abandoned the strong democratic position that gave them some negotiating power against an egregious Republican budget proposal along with horrendously biased amendments. My senator was one of those who signed off on this legislation to extend the current budget until September that gives this administration the time and more power to continue dismantling democracy. This forbodes deep cuts to the social safety net yet justified on the pretext that they didn't want Democrats to be blamed for a government shut down. Due to possible reputational damage, they caved. So as people of faith how do we respond to cowardice that I, and others, see as betrayal?
It is not my belief that it is ever helpful, or appropriate, to demonize anyone for their poor choices however misguided, but especially when driven by fear. Yet their action requires a response. So I wrote a letter to Schumer who should have known better given his years of political experience and to PA Senator Fetterman who was elected in 2022. (see below)
Writing the Necessary Letters that Probably Won’t be Read
I sat at my computer wearing the hat of a pastor and, (limited by a word count that was not nearly long enough) I wrote the letters below. My approach, and it need not be other's, was to 1) call them to accountability, 2) express my disbelief and displeasure (rather than my rage), and 3) assume their best of intentions however disastrous and fearful the consequences might be. To flourish we must protect one another and this requires clear thinking and strategic action neither of which can be done if we live in fear.
The Enemies Who Destroy are also Ones Who are Damaged
The reality is that some among us- especially current leadership in this administration and Congress - are damaged by unhealed psychological wounding and incapable of living in ways that will lead to flourishing. (The experience of power is not flourishment and neither is the size of one’s bank account.) When this happens they are incapable of feeling empathy for anyone. In fact, one of these unelected leaders is on record deploring empathy saying that we suffer from “civilizational suicidal empathy.” In reality, though, we usually criticize in others what is out of reach for ourselves. So I choose to pity the current damaged and dysfunctional US leadership especially since I do not know if it is humanly possible for some of them to flourish in their few remaining years. Starved for love and acceptance they feed off each other's dysfunctions to support and protect their own. They are following a life course that will never win the love or acceptance they crave but which they most obviously need. (The adoration and cheers from those you have to manipulate and lie to in order to get it, doesn’t count.) So this, my friends, is incredibly sad. No one flourishes inside the bubble of self-centered individualism. The ones who cry "Me first" will never flourish. Flourishing only happens in community.
The Strategy for Flourishing
I am not so naive to think that any of my readers are in a position to individually persuade someone in power to change their ways. I cannot even be assured these two senators will ever read my constrained, yet passionate, letters. Right now in order for us to flourish as a society we need to sign a Moral Agreement of Protection For Everybody to address the damage intentionally being inflicted by this pitiable leadership. A strategy of local compassion for each one in our communities-with particular attention to protect the most targeted and the least powerful (1) can be and must be our #1 priority.
Lest we feel overwhelmed, let’s remind ourselves of two things: First, we focus on those in our communities who are frightened and being hurt. We know them and we can respond personally and individually to offer reassurance and to provide protection. Secondly, no one of us can defeat the evil permeating our society threatening to erode the human bond between us. But, when we stand connected together as one community we are all stronger. And, it is this strength that will lead to our flourishing as a species. That is all we have to do, and, it is enough. When bonded by respect and compassion for each other we begin to share a vision and renew efforts to save our planet as well as the democratic system that, although flawed, is far superior to the so-called "golden age" of yore with its gluttonous lords and starving serfs.
We can do this. But, it has to be together.
Together, we will flourish. It is becoming clear that the old death-dealing bubble of individualism that only leads to isolation and estrangement will pass away. (2) It will usher in a new vision of intimate connection offering protection to all, but especially, for the least of these, in a united global community. I believe it. Love is the answer.
Letter to Senator Chuck Schumer
I have appreciated your long leadership in the Democratic party but your role last week in dismantling the Dem’s strong opposition to a devastatingly harmful budget comes from old, traditional thinking that no longer serves the party. The issue was never where the blame would be placed if the gov’t shut down but rather whether or not the Dems have a moral backbone to call their bluff and name the devastating evil that a morally compromised Republican party is allowing. The issue is, will we continue this slide toward economic devastation and authoritarianism? Or will we race toward it? Your heart is, no doubt, in the right place but your strategy of equivocation and ultimately sabotaging a united Democratic response was to decide to play by the rules. That is ultimately too traditional. We are not waiting to see who is not following the rules! We are waiting to support a party with moral integrity. You were wrong this time. Now we are racing toward the harm. Much damage will be done to people's lives before September. The times now call for new and creative responses. Step aside to allow the creative leadership to emerge. Perhaps you can take credit for that.
Letter to Senator John Fetterman
I voted for you because I believed you would follow your instincts and push against the status quo if it meant you could protect the suffering of the “little guy” from the harms inflicted by the elite. However, your vote to capitulate on the horrendous Republican budget opens the door to harm veterans, the poor, children, the aged, and the disabled while giving a blank check to this administration to gut democracy. You have allowed yourself to be persuaded to attempt to “make peace” so they couldn’t say Democrats caused a federal shut-down. But this rupture in Democratic solidarity reveals ten senators are now on the wrong side of history falling victim to thinking this problem was up to you to solve. It was not. We need a strong and united opposition with creative strategies now, not playing by the old rules. The opposition already threw out the rule book and we are going under! Your vote just speeds it up! You underestimate the sizable PA constituency enraged by what is happening due to a morally compromised Republican party. We will stand with you to push against authoritarianism! First, listen to your heart! You lost it. I'm deeply disappointed. Vote better. Vote radical!
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(1) This is what Jesus taught; “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40 NRSVUE)
(2) I am alluding here to the prophet Isaiah who says of God, “See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare…” (42:9 NRSVUE)
