Re-post with addition from Oct. 22, 2012 - A Question of Politics

Politics is a funny thing....
Not an amusing sort of funny, but curious.

Today (Oct. 12, 2012) in Victoria, there was a protest of thousands giving voice to the local grassroots concerns about the Northern Gateway Pipeline.
On tap on TV was the third and final U.S. Presidential debate.  
Topic?  Foreign Policy and all the nuances of two disparate party policies. 

This week of October 2014 in Canada, terrorism came brutally to Ottawa………..

The political layers for both of these sorts of events
weave throughout our societies via
personalities
principles

Where do the layers start ~
At the grassroots and grow up
Or at an economic top and trickle down
What about those folks in the middle who live and work whether
someone wins or someone loses?

Which issues come first ~
personal and daily 
local and scheduled
regional and broader
national on an even broader scale
global and beyond my limited understanding?

And whom do we believe ~
politicians
developers
protesters
media
colleagues
neighbours?

What parts are played by ~
culture
religion
gender
education or illiterate
housed or homeless
illness or health
art, music and literature?

Behind the images and reflections that we are given to look at,
what events have already occurred below the surface?

Curious isn’t it?
I wonder ~  is there a principle to guide all of these things?

“In dwelling, live close to the ground.  In thinking, keep to the simple.

In conflict, be fair and generous.  In governing, don’t try to control.

In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.”

~ Lao Tzu

Author's Note: Edited December 29, 2023