Chasing Red Herrings

3 of 3 Parts

Balancing the budget is a red herring. Politicians make it sound like it’s the most important thing in the world, but at this point and time, it’s not. Five years ago the economy  took a nose dive. When Bush left office, we were in  a free fall. First, you have to stabilize the economy.  When that’s done then you can think about balancing the budget. This takes years to unravel. Romney even said recently that, if he get elected, he needs eight to ten years to turn things around (but blames Obama for not getting things done in four years).

What happened to the budget to begin with? What happened to the jobs?  Who made out big time when the economy went down? Did you? Is the debt your fault?   Should you and your children be penalized for the debt?  Follow the money trail. Study the events of the last thirty years. The people that are responsible for all this don’t want us to study the past. And did you ever see those Senate hearings  on TV where the senators are all indignant and huffing and puffing, and the Wall Street guys are cowering at the table in front of the bench. People swallow this stuff up.  But it’s a charade because nothing ever comes of it.  If the bankers make a profit, they get to keep it for themselves.  And if they screw up then  they want us all to help clean up the mess they created.  This is capitalism and socialism at its finest.

And nowadays politicians and bankers throw out so many misleading “facts” and “figures” to confuse people. They even hire so-called “research firms” to come up with the conclusions they want you to see. Someone said that you’re entitled to you own opinions but your not entitled to your own facts.  So the problem is if you don’t (or can’t because of the misleading information) study and learn from past mistakes then you’re  condemned to repeat them. Remember Laural and Hardy – “Here’s another fine mess you’ve gotten me into.”  They never learn.

Of course, we have to learn how to maneuver through this material world, which often seems like a battlefield.  Sometimes, the battle is raging around us, and sometimes even within us. We have to play our part and try our best.  But ultimately,  cultivation of real knowledge is not about mundane facts and figures. It’s not about who’s in the White House.  It’s not about attaining  satisfaction from the temporary connection that we have to this body of ours.   It’s about understanding our  own eternal nature. It’s understanding that we’re on a journey.  That journey will have its highs and lows, its aches and pains and joys. It’s a journey of self discovery. Be true to yourself. Stay centered. Don’t go chasing after red herrings.