Today, I’m writing about our need to develop true relationships in our lives. Why is this necessary? The Dalai Lama has written that “Interdependence is a fundamental law of nature. Our own survival is so dependent on the help of others that a need for love lies at the very core of our existence. Therefore, we need to cultivate a genuine sense of responsibility and a sincere concern for the welfare of others.”
At the present time, in American politics, there is the proliferation of misinformation, alternative facts, conspiracy theories and basic lies. How can we develop true, trusting relationships if we aren’t being truthful with one another? If we aren’t truthful with one another, and we aren’t able to believe that what we’re being told is true, how can we develop ways to address issues that serve to polarize and estrange us from each other? Basic honesty is essential if we’re to survive as relational partners and as a society.
In today’s world, there are politicians who are committed to working for the good of all members of the American family and meeting their various needs. Kamala Harris is one such politician. She exudes joy for compassionately acknowledging and meeting the needs of people from all sectors of life.
Self-centred politicians
There are many other politicians who only care about themselves and have no compunction about saying whatever they want to say, regardless of whether it’s true or untrue. For instance, self-centred politicians recently inflicted pain on others by telling citizens mistruths as they faced the worst hurricane in a century. Those facing death and the destruction of their homes during Hurricane Helene were told that if they asked for help from FEMA, they would lose their property and possessions.
For self-centred politicians, lies like this are intended to cause greater suffering and stir up more pain and anxiety for those who have endured a life-transforming experience. As another example, some of these politicians also asserted that the government can control the weather and would purposefully direct the hurricane to “red” (Republican) communities and protect “blue” (Democrat) communities.
One of these self-serving politicians also told members of the American community that COVID-19 was a hoax and that climate change due to fossil fuel usage is another hoax. This politician’s ultimate goal appears to be to destroy our American institutions and way of life while disregarding the needs of members of our community. It seems that he wants to become an absolute dictator and destroy both our Constitution and our constitutionally based institutions.
It looks like this particular politician wants to do away with the notion that we’re all equal under the law and that we determine our governmental course through the ballot box, with each of us possessing the right to vote and have our vote counted. He has said he believes in the use of violence to achieve his goals and supports using retribution against those who don’t agree with his words and ways.
On November 5, 2024, our American voting season comes to an end. On that day, we’ll officially select our president and determine the political and social direction America will take for the next four years and beyond.
Basic honesty is essential
As for our president, we have the choice between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
Harris is the personification of what the Dalai Lama talks about as necessary as we relate with one another, as she joyfully and compassionately aims to meet the needs of all American people.
On the other hand, Donald Trump’s behaviour is the antithesis of what the Dalai Lama says is needed for successful relationships. Instead of cultivating a sense of responsibility and a sense of concern for the welfare of others, he expresses dishonesty and disregard for others, and is destructive to the point of advocating violence when others disagree with him.
The direction and welfare of the United States is in our hands. As alluded to above, basic honesty is essential to our survival as relational partners and as a society, and we need to vote for the best way of life for our future as an American family. The choice is ours to make, and the responsibility for maintaining and building upon our democratic way of life is in our hands.
Our right and responsibility is to vote.
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image: Tom Fisk