Channeling Erik

July20th

74 Comments

Political Persuasion

Posted in: After Death Communication, Channeling, Communication from the dead, Jamie Butler, Messages from the dead, Psychic medium

I know I’m treading on thin ice here, but despite the highly charged subject, these questions come to me for a reason. Be gentle.

Channeling Transcript

Me: So, Erik, you used to be on the conservative side, politically, when you were here. You weren’t liberal at all. So what about now?

Erik: Can you define conservative in the way you see it?

Me: Well, I’m definitely not defining it as Republican!

Erik: Okay.

Me: So, you want me to share my views first?  You sort of adopted them when you were here, but of course we didn’t force it down your throat. I guess I just want to see if you changed your perspective.

Erik: Yeah, tell me your views first, then I’ll tell you how I see things now.

Me: Okay, well, like I said, I’m NOT a Republican. I’m very against big corrupt groups like some big corporations, some unions, big government and groups of the corrupt political elite, big corporate lobbyists, and other groups that buy favors for votes to upset the balance of power.

Erik: Okay.

Me: I believe in INDIVIDUAL freedom and responsibility, so I’m also against buying votes with entitlement programs that are vulnerable to greed and corruption. I mean, we have to help those who can’t help themselves, of course, but when we extend help to those who can but WON’T help themselves, we can’t give enough assistance to those who are truly suffering and in need. I’m against redistribution of wealth from the producers to the non-producers (except those who are disabled or who need temporary help when they’ve been knocked down.)  I guess what I’m saying is that there’s a difference between people who can’t work and those who won’t work. In my mind, that upsets the karmic balance—I hate to use the word karma, but I don’t know what else to use. It’s just enslaving to people to give them just enough to subsist when they are capable of thriving on their own, and like I said, then that takes away what we can do to help those who are truly in need either temporarily or permanently.  It’s a challenge to root out the fraud, but I think some of the programs are set up so  that it’s easy for people to game system. You know what I mean?

Erik: Yeah.

Me: Same thing with affirmative action or any other program where the government decides who the winners and losers are. This also causes a lot of karmic imbalance. It sends the message that we don’t have faith in people to rise on their own merits, and we don’t have faith in the community to help their neighbors and friends anymore. Also, it creates division, like it highlights differences between races and so it strengthens the separation illusion. We’re all one, after all. Um, so I’m kind of for giving more control to the local governments and to the individual so we can keep local leaders and each other more accountable. The federal government is so far away, we feel powerless to change things or to keep them honest. And I don’t believe throwing money at people is the answer. We need to give them a hand up, not a hand out. We need to treat them with compassion, not pity and with faith, not  a sense of scorn and hopelessness. You know what I mean? We need to empower them, not enslave them in permanent victimhood. That’s so demoralizing. And it unfairly penalizes those who work really hard, get an education, take a risk or a leap of faith to produce a good or service for others. Then they get so much taken away as taxes, because there is so much fraud in the entitlement programs. It irks me when someone in the projects gets a new tattoo or piercing or buys a flat screen TV even though they’re more than able to work and support themselves.

Erik: I could not love you more than I love you right now.

I laugh.

Erik: But like you said, there are people who will always need our help and are never going to get by without our support.

Me: Exactly. And imagine how much more we could give them in way of support if so many others weren’t gaming the system.

Erik: So when are you running for office?

Me: Ha! Never. I’d be assassinated in the first week. It’s like we have faith in big corruption and not the individual anymore. It’s sad.

(Pause)

Me: So are you conservative, moderate, liberal, or are you none of the above because, well, maybe you think there is no right or wrong form of government?

Erik: Well, that’s a loaded question, Mom. You’re right, things ARE. They’re neither right nor wrong. You know, it is, it is. But at the same time, you can’t just BE. You can’t just have “it is what it is” when there are so many underlying structures shaping the outcome.

Me: Oh yeah. Uh huh.

Erik: And those underlying structures, that’s what we’re talking about here in this conversation. That where it’s going wrong. So, no, I’m not for, “give it all back to the big guy to see what he can do with it.” I’m not for big government, liberal or otherwise.

Me: Yeah, on both sides, Democrats and Republicans, there are politicians who want more government mostly to buy votes. But let’s face it, it’s unsustainable. We can’t afford it. We’re teetering on economic collapse which is pretty much how all empires throughout history toppled.

Erik: No, it needs to go right back to the people, and one thing we’ve been raped of is respect. Just like you said, (unintelligible) couldn’t be any better getting a hand out instead of a hand up.

Me: Yeah.

Erik: And that has to come with respect. But with a larger government structure, they’re just looking for the equation that’s gonna fit the masses rather than the individual. It’s easier to paint everybody with the same broad brush, but really, everybody’s needs are so unique. It’s bullshit. It’s the easy way out and it robs so many of their self-respect.

Me: Plus, I think that when the government and these entitlement programs get so big, we individuals feel like we’re off the hook. When someone in our community falls on hard times, we figure, “Well, I don’t need to help. Uncle Sam will do that.” So it sort of takes away our sense of responsibility to help each other out, to help our neighbors, you know?

Erik: It’s choking out humanity is what it’s doing. You know, “Let’s look at the system instead of the humanity.”

Me: Yeah.

Erik: So we are more cocooned and isolated from each other.

Me: Yeah, that whole separation illusion just gets more and more engrained.

Erik: It’s real depressing.

Me: I know.

Erik: It IS crashing, it IS falling. The first battle is done; that was with the banks, but the battle that’s here now is with healthcare, and no good answer has been brought to the table. What’s so sad is how they’re not looking at other countries and how their system is working or not working. It’s total ego crap.

Me: Yeah, I don’t think what we have is the answer. It’s still too big and doesn’t address the horrific costs. So, what about Libertarians? What do you think about them being so laissez-faire? Are they just too far off the reservation?

Jamie laughs.

Jamie: He’s doing a gesture where he has his left hand out, and he’s just pushing it away and away and away so far, you can’t even see.

Me: Left? Okay, I don’t know everything about them, but I do know they’re for not getting involved in the foreign affairs of others, legalizing all drugs, limiting federal government, having less regulation, simplifying the tax code. They’re for leaving a lot more up to the individual. In their minds, the government should be about protecting our property, our rights, our safety, building and maintaining infrastructures, helping us create a healthy environment so we can sustain ourselves and make a decent living so we can produce for ourselves and others, and of course helping those who can’t help themselves. But that’s it. No legislating morality and behavior and all that.

Erik: One of the best things about them is not wanting to get involved in foreign conflicts. What happened is that the United States became this father figure poking its nose in everyone’s business. We can’t be the police force for the whole world. And it’s arrogant to think that democracy should be forced down throats when sometimes it really won’t work in certain countries. We’re in the wrong place many, many times.

Me: Really! I mean, why in the world did we have to get involved in Libya? If anything,  we should air drop food, clothing, and medical supplies to the citizens, but not bombs.

Erik: That’s why we need to create a group to meditate only on a peaceful and understanding government. If we turn our backs on the government because we don’t like what they’re doing, it’s not going to go away. They’re going to get bigger and meaner. We need to go forward into that dark night.

Me: Aw, my sweet poet.

Erik: We need to give positive reinforcement: peaceful, smooth and balanced.

Me: Yeah, balanced more to the side of the individual instead of the government, to the side of compassion and respect instead of slavery and fear and bombs. Erik, you can be the president. Never mind being the first woman president, you’d be the first discarnate president! I wonder if you’d have to come up with your birth certificate or your death certificate?

Erik and Jamie laugh.

Me: Okay, enough politics. This is going to get me in big enough trouble, but I know that the universe puts that into my mind for a reason, so it has to be done.

Erik: Yep.

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  • Tony

    Great post Elisa. There may be some who disagree with much of what was said, but again, that just is the nature of things. If everyone agreed on everything, it would be a pretty boring world, now wouldn’t it?
    Thats part of what has always bothered me about, so called, “liberalism”. While those that consider themselves liberal tend to profess “acceptance, tolerance, compassion, etc”, they also tend to be the very people who condemn and attack anyone who does not think the way they do.
    I, like you, consider myself to be conservative in many ways. One thing I noticed, and it bothers me about your post, is that you begin it by almost apologizing for your way of thinking, as if it may “offend” someone. I certainly relate to that, as it seems to be the way the country has somehow been conditioned. Conservatism has somehow been made into something people should feel ashamed of, its not “politically correct” for whatever reason.

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      I know, Tony, and I shouldn’t apologize, you’re right. But I’ve been attacked many times, so after you’ve been burnt, it happens. I think many liberals tend to think with emotions and tend to have a great deal of passion. Conservatives think more logically, but tend to be uninspiring and boring. Both cognitive styles have pros and cons that are there to teach us many, many things.

    • Luminous

      Wow Tony. Way to stereotype liberals. Not cool. Even saying “tend” or “most” instead of “all” liberals doesn’t work. Never would I say that about conservatives or people w/ different beliefs. You are not being fair.

      • http://www.channelingerik.com Elisa Medhus, MD

        Please no political speak here. THis is not the place for it. Thanks!

      • Luminous

        ok, but again, this is a political article.

      • http://www.channelingerik.com Elisa Medhus, MD

        You’re right, but we’ve learned our lesson–or at least I have. My bad.

  • Denise

    The government is a reflection of the citizens. Raise the consciousness of the citizens and we will raise the quality of our leaders.

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      YES!!

  • http://channelingerik Pat

    Okay, I haven’t commented for a while. But I feel I just have to jump in on this subject.

    I love your altruism Elisa and I agree with your premise on giving a hand up instead of a hand out. But let’s discuss what that really means.

    In this regard I believe we have two very strong social currents that add to the difficulty of implementing this premise.

    One is the “Bystander Effect” and the other is the inevitable and predictable inertia of poverty.

    First, the Bystander Effect–

    “Each person uses others’ behavior as clues to reality. Since everyone is doing exactly the same thing (nothing), they all conclude from the inaction of others that help is not needed.” This is an example of pluralistic ignorance or social proof.

    The other major obstacle to intervention is known as diffusion of responsibility. This occurs when observers all assume that someone else is going to intervene and so each individual feels less responsible and refrains from doing anything.

    Even if the government stopped intervening in supporting those in need, who would step in? Who would go to the ghetto to offer that hand up? Who is prepared and who is capable of bringing them out of poverty? These problems are massive and enduring on a very, very large scale.

    Then we move to the socio/medical aspects of poverty. There has been a great deal of study done in regards to stress and the reduction/performance in the prefrontal cortex of developing brains. Per the studies done in this area, “neurochemical changes in the prefrontal cortex during periods of stress may take this brain region “off-line,” making the child of poverty less able to govern his behavior”. Other studies have demonstrated an actual shrinkage in the developing prefrontal cortex as a result of stress of living in poverty.

    As reported in an article in the Economist addressing the economic side to social issues, “that 17 year olds that come from poverty have an 11% reduction in working memory compared to their middle-class counterparts”.

    Could it be possible that the reason poverty keeps its stranglehold on this lower strata of society because they don’t have the actual neural capability due to the shrinkage of the very part of the brain that controls performance and behavior that leads to good decision-making that would allow them to get out of poverty?

    These are all important issues that have to be addressed before we can even begin to eliminate government intervention in large scale socio/economic problems. I agree with you that the government is not the answer but until we begin as a society–each and everyone one of us–to embrace the core issues of poverty, just as until we being to embrace the core issues of addiction–the root causes, we will never be free of these societal plagues. And, unless and until we do, the government has to step in.

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      Wow, Pat, I never thought about the neural aspects. Do you think that’s nutritional or spiritual? You’re right, there are no easy answers because it’s quite a quagmire. Suffice it to say that we need to work toward a world where we all both share and pitch in according to our abilities. We need to imbue more of a sense of accountability and compassion. We need to take care of each other and ourselves by whatever means possible. Government, corporations, unions, they all have roles, but they should be limited. Baby steps. As long as we’re moving in the right direction, it’ll be okay, and that journey is chock full of precious spiritual lessons.

  • GeorgeN

    Elisa, while some may have problems with this discussion, if they find anything that troubles them, they should meditate on exactly what is bothering them about the discussion. My take from this post is “Big is the enemy of the small, whether we’re talking Government or Business. Too often we suffer from a lack of competition.

    Erik, once again has hit on a key question for everyone currently in this life, in this time, What am I here to learn? I chose this life to learn, to accomplish something. Each soul is here for their specific purpose, so the world needs to provide the “laboratory” for us to have an opportunity to achieve our lessons and goals.

    Thank you for being brave enough to continue to post even those concepts that may provoke strong emotions, because that provides even more opportunity for our spiritual growth.

    Love to all,

    GeorgeN

  • Yvonne

    LOL Elisa you are a piece of work! This is YOUR”s and ERIK’S blog and you are going to say what you have to say! God how I admire your strength of will, even when I disagree with you!
    I am going to wait and romp in the comments on this post, there is too much here. I will say that I agree with your premise, if I am correct, that ANY government/social authority MUST necessarily check or interfere with the free will of spirit that we possess by virtue of our incarnations on this earth. We are free, but we are not free in this world. Is this just the way it is?

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      Yeah, I think maybe this is a learning experience for us to have our free will usurped. Who knows. My idea of the ideal place is one with no greed, no corruption, where everyone is willing to both share and pitch in according to their potential. We’ll get there, but it’ll be awhile.

  • Yvonne

    One more thing that I have to say in love to you Elisa, and then I will shut up. I have to wonder about what looks like a racist mindset when people go off against affirmative action and talk about “people in the projects.” I am assuming that you went to medical school Elisa. Go back and look at the entering and graduating classes at your medical school some 20, 30 years before you got there and THEN tell us that you did not benefit from Title VII, that somehow this law was not empowering to you, it was a handout, it decided winners and losers unfairly. I just don’t understand why any white women complain about affirmative action since it changed American women’s lives for the better!

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      I know, but affirmative action wasn’t the answer. Every soul deserves equal opportunities regardless of race, religion or social class. But if I need to have brain surgery, I want whoever excelled the most in school and in clinical rotations rather than according to their race. White, black, doesn’t matter. I want the best. But affirmative action doesn’t always work that way. I can’t tell you how many people were denied entrance to med school despite having better stats only because they weren’t a minority. I say, the best according to their abilities, and we need to have faith in minorities to excel and contribute just as much or more than the rest of the population. They can. Of course they can. But affirmative action is a message to them that says: We don’t have faith in you to do this on your own. It causes more racial tension, not less. What we need are probrams that ensure they’ll have equal opportunities to reach their maximum potential. That’s the only fair way to level the playing field. And I love you too.

  • Tara

    Elisa — you and Erik need to run for public office. I’m not sure how your speaking engagements would work, but as someone who has worked around chronically homeless and unemployed people, I wholeheartedly agree with the hand-up philosophy. Keep up the wonderful work!

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      HAHA, Tara–thanks but no thanks!

  • Joanne

    As someone who study sociology and has a keen interest in politics, I really like these topics, and it’s interesting to get Erik’s take on this. And whilst I’m not brave enough (LoL),to delve into the debate, and I’ll be honest and tell you that I love and greatly admire President Obama, I think it’s great that at least people are engaged and talking about issues as opposed to voter apathy, or total disinterest in how societies operate, because it’s only by debate and discussion that we decide for ourselves how we feel about issues. So it’s all good. Stay brave Elisa, the world needs people like you. With Thanks , Joanne

  • Karen A

    Elisa, I had to jump in here also, as I respect your views even though I may disagree with some of them. I worked in Human Services and saw many people get benefits that did not need or deserve them, and we knew they were cheating the government by collecting benefits in two states. Then I saw the mother of 3 children whose husband just left her high and dry and she made $20 more a week than the limit for getting assistance, and could not afford child care while she worked. The system is definetly flawed and needs to be corrected. But as far as Social Security and Medicare, they are not entitlements, as I have paid into these programs and hope to benefit from them when I retire. If my mother did not have her Social Security she would be destitute! I am all for helping others and I do that many times during the year for family members when they need it, but with the cost of healthcare these days, just one stay in the hospital can bankrupt you if you don’t have insurance. And I know plenty of people that cannot afford health insurance on what they make a month. The US does need to look at other countries and how their health care is working for them and covering all the people. I truly believe we need to keep our family planning clinics operating as they not only help in keeping down teenage pregnancy, but help the poor with pap screens and breast exams when they don’t have insurance. And unfortunately, many wealthy americans whom have inheirited their wealth, not worked for it, don’t feel the need to help those less fortunate. The Middle Class has always been the most charitable when it comes to helping those in need. Thats my take on it anyway. I do believe that more people will be awakening in the next year and see that helping others is helping yourself and the country will begin to heal.

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      I agree. We need to stop the fraud and help the truly needy MORE! And yes, SS and Medicare are not entitlements. We all pay into that all our lives. I just would rather see tax revenues go to helping people like this mother you speak of than a 40 year old healthy male living in his parent’s basement smoking pot and playing video games all day. Think about the good we could do with that money. Think about what would happen to that man’s self-esteem, etc. if we helped him find a way to be productive and preserve his dignity.

      I’m okay with planned parenthood, but I don’t want my taxes to pay for ending a life. I know that’s a touchy subject but I really believe in the sanctity of life. I agree with how great the middle class is. We tend to give more. I hate to pigeon-hole the wealthy as uncharitable, because many of them give a lot, but those who are rich without working a day in their lives tend to be miserly. It’s very sad. To raise up one person who is knocked down is to raise up the collective.

  • Bee

    I rely on your blog every day.
    And you never disappoint.
    I send all my hugs and compassion to you, always.

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      Love you two, Bee.

  • Patrick

    Medical treatment: Where is the study that researches positive characteristics and shortcomings? The evolution of methods, procedures and costs? That proposes alternatives to improve shortfalls WITHOUT hurting the good? The USA has the finest medical system in the world; none of it from government. It’s now impossible to have an impartial government study; they commandeered the system. Researchers to undertake such study now believe findings in favor of government plans can help them personally; findings against will hurt their career.

    Affirmative action: If you’re black or you’re female, you’re not smart enough to match wits with males. God help you if you’re both. Sounds abrasive? It is. America’s national policies; racism and misogyny. A Spanish speaking elementary school student shoved into “bilingual” math gets the clear message s/he is not smart enough to learn English and unworthy of inclusion.

    Size of government: The smallest state government – per resident – in the USA (total state spending divided by headcount) is also the most economically advantaged; almost all the new jobs created are in that state, its population is booming (up 20+% in the last decade) housing prices have never collapsed, the unemployment rate has been consistently 10-15% lower than the US average….plus, there is NO state income tax and the budget is balanced.

    Soon this will all be forgotten. :-) )

  • conradg

    Mixed bag of ideas here. Libertarianism doesn’t seem to square with looking to other country’s health care systems for answers. Most of the ones that work out there are “socialist” in nature. In fact, the countries with the most efficient, low cost health care systems are the ones that created nationalist health care the longest ago. So “conservative” means “socialist” sometimes.

    Fine to talk about people working rather than just sucking off the system, but why bring up the red herring of “the projects”, introducing racism into the conversation. Most people on welfare in this country are white and rural, not black and urban, precisely the people the “Tea Party” is composed of. And even that is a very small portion of our financial problems, most of which are created by big business interests and rich people, who control all the money. So you have that part right, but poison it by railing on about “the projects” and black guys getting tatoos. What, you’ve never seen poor white welfare people with tattoos? Root our that kind of prejudice first, before pointing fingers and calling for us all to restore “oneness”.

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      I just don’t want to spend MY taxes on someone else’s tattoos and piercings and drug habits instead of single moms working two jobs and barely getting by. And don’t even try to pull the fucking race card on me. My first boyfriend was black. Nice try though.

  • conradg

    SS and Medicare are definitely entitlement programs, by law. Everyone is eligible for them. Welfare fraud is a tiny portion of our government spending, most of which goes to middle class and rich people. The biggest cheats are the wealthiest people, not the guy in the basement smoking pot. Completely missing the point about who exactly is robbing whom.

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      There are cheaters in every race and socioeconomic class trust me. I have thousands of patients from all walks of life and charity and greed know no boundaries. We tend vilify the rich (and I’m NOT rich) because politicians often pander to our jealousy. To say that the wealthy are all cheats is no better than being a racist saying that all Muslims are terrorists. Shame on you for falling for the ruse.

  • iola

    I am gonna venture in with an opinion….but I am open to better things as they come up. What I see in government right now is unbridled greed and power plays. The regular guy on the street has been out of the picture for longer than I ever realised. The fanatics try to push us all one way, the corp bought and paid for politicians work for them..not us. and the ones being thrown under the bus are the poor and helpless. What the hell has happened to the morals of this country? When did people become disposable? To save the bloody deficit..does a sick child have to die? I truly believe we are heading toward a defining moment in this country..but it will not happen without bloodshed and more pain. I pray we can avert this. What I see in politicians and government are greedy fools out for their own benefit at the cost of millions. Scary..and I always wonder after i read this stuff…who forgot to teach them love..to teach them the morally right thing to do? Who forgot to tell them that we are all special, that we all count in Gods eyes..and thank you very much for not stepping on my back to get where you are going.
    Ok…I have rattled enuf. I agree with alot of what Elisa says..yet I have always felt myself to be a liberal…but labels aside….this was a great post. Hope we can all speak our minds and still send hugs at the end. I love you all!!!

  • Yvonne

    I have to agree with conradg here, you introduced race when you started talking about “projects” and ghettos and affirmative action, and then missed the point completely when I said that affirmative action/title VII helped white women! I don’t understand why both welfare and affirmative action are associated with racial minorities since most welfare recipients are not minorities and affirmative action beneficiaries were largely white women! Sorry, Elisa, I think that there is prejudice and misplaced resentment there, even with your good intentions. And he did not say that only the rich cheat, just that they have been the BIGGEST beneficiaries of welfare of the corporate sort, so why go after the poor guy in the basement first?

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      Yvonne you obviously don’t fucking know me. Open your mind, free yourself from you labels and prejudices and read some of my comments on this post. This is about compassion, karma, integrity, freedom and responsibility. Why the he’ll would you assume the projects are only for blacks? You’re just showing your prejudices here. Sad.

  • Elizabeth Schrader

    Liberals, conservatives, independents – these are just labels and they really only help to divide people. I would imagine all of us on this site, regardless of our “label”, would help a neighbor in need or respond to a stranger’s emergency, ie car accident, fire etc. I really like Erik’s idea of a meditation group for our government. I think we can all get behind a more loving government!

    Love & light to all!

  • dinabedina

    Elisa for one of the leaders for the World Round Table :)
    Your doing a great job girl…
    Go Go Elisa !
    :) )))

  • conradg

    Elisa,

    I didn’t say that all the rich are cheaters, but that the biggest cheaters are the rich. That isn’t being prejudiced against the rich, it’s merely stating a fact, and describing who’s cheating has the most effect on our country. When a welfare cheat smokes pot in his parent’s basement, the effect is rather minimal. When Goldman Sacks and other rich folks on Wall Street cheat, the whole world falls apart and trillions of dollars are lost and millions lose their jobs. Keep your sense of proportion here.

    And yes, the “projects” are virtually entirely for inner city blacks. Your bigotry is revealed in trying to reverse that term back in my face. You know precisely what you meant by it, you just won’t own up to it. Not very courageous or honest of you.

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      Conradq, you simply do not know me at all, and yet you profess to. I don’t have a bigoted bone in my body. Greed and ignorance knows no color, creed or religion. YOU need to own up to the fact that you make groundless, hurtful assumptions. You choose the path of fear over love.

  • dinabedina

    P.S. I also Love this quote…

    ” Society is now set up ,to make an otherwise honest man, into a dishonest one, in order to survive. ” ( forgive me… I can’t remember where I read that people :) ) sharing…

  • Jason

    Life. Flashing in. Quick. Sudden. Bright flame. Suddenly extinquished. In the light of the pan fire. All that we are. All that we are made of can be consumed. All that we are, gone in an instant. In the sudden flare of light what we are is recorded in the film. What impression did we make. It is a record of honesty. An impression of the soul. But even so. It is never a complete image. For while telling of the moment. it is not representitive of the subjects whole self… It is important to note that an image taken. An image viewed is but an incomplete moment in perception of the viewer. Is it better to ponder the view , or do we insist upon knowing the artists heart. So is this life. A snapshot of a moment in the art of a soul. It is art. It is a moment that speaks to us to the world….what image will i hold in mind, what thought to my heart……life, love, and compassion can be an art form of the soul… How will our own photos be displayed…what matters to your own special art form….what shall we say….

  • Steve

    Sigh – I see that Erik (via Jamie) was elusive in his responses, and probably for a good reason. There is truth to both perpectives (liberal vs conservative).

    However –

    I’m seeing greed coming from the wealthy. It’s so painful for me to read or watch the news and watch those in power struggle and scream and yell to remain in power, to hold onto every last penny, when they are the ones we are supporting via their tax loopholes and tax breaks, their corporate welfare, their having the power to buy out the politicians while the rest of us work hard and reap little. Yes some people game the system but who’s REALLY gaming the system – I could be wrong, but my heart tells me it’s the wealthiest few that manipulates us all.
    Yes, I’m appalled by the welfare queen mentalities of some, the hand out mentalities, but I feel like they are a tiny drop in the bucket of what is really wrong with our country right now.
    Health care is a great example – our system is so wrong, yet other “socialist” systems are so much better, fairer, and more efficient than ours.

    Sorry, just my perspective. There is no right or wrong, this is just how I see it from my vantage point.

    • dollparts

      Thank you, completely agree.

  • john joseph

    Interesting question, about disagreement making for an interesting world.

    I’d like to know if in Erik’s world, there is some approximation of civil “disagreement”? Or is he in a vibrational place where all energies, by definition, agree?

    Is there “discussion” of “ideas”? Since there’s no actual physical reality, I guess there are no obstacles that require creativity as we know it. Is everything just expressed? Does it seek forms of expression? Or is “forms” a misnomer in his world?

    Thanks.

  • Chase fml

    Why do we not close our borders and stop free health care for illegal aliens and make smoking and a lot of sports illegal and if u go to jail and r illegal ship them back so fast and with no comforts and three times they should be working and sleeping in tents like that sharif in AZ  and take comforts out of jails  that will save money 

  • Punchdog

    Ron Paul/Jesse Ventura – 2012!

  • YAHAIRA

    Hey Elisa i didnt think you’re so political. I admire that. Here is a web wre they help to clean and activate the chakras. Hope it helps.

  • Joanne

    Elisabeth I completely agree with you. The problem with healthy political debate or discussion, is that it rarely stays that way, it becomes unhealthy, and unhelpful. At some point Ego always steps in and then fear.And once we become frightened we don’t really know where we stand, and nor does our Governments, because they are afterall a reflection of the greater collective. None of us are right, or wrong in our beliefs and choices, we are what we are. We do have common ground (besides fear) and that is love for one another, friends, communities etc.And absolutely, as Elisabeth has said, if the focus of our Governments reflected that, we’d all live in a better world. with love, Joanne

  • Tom

    Hi Elisa,
    It seems you really opened a can of worms..or maybe even Pandora’s box here! ;)
    I’m not much on politics personally, since it’s essentially been a choice of the lesser of the 2 evils…and I’ll not make mention of our current “leadership”
    Anyways, I am actually much like you in that I am what I consider a “moderate.” personally I am conservative, I live below my means, work,save and invest and essentially try to be as independent as possible, and keep my nose in my own business and take care of my own business etc.
    I liked your list, and how you kick those who try to distract you with divisive ‘emotional’ or ‘other’ tactics to try and change the topic.
    Like you, I would probably get shot if I were elected into any kind of office =P shch is the loss.
    I’d love to see and end to all the political waste
    and abuse of taxpayer funds on programs that just don’t work and all the other BS. Social security, like yo said ISN”T an entitlement, but something that is worked for, paid into and EARNED. It’s a forced savings account which had been exceedingly badly abused, and if they are saying that it might go bust, then I WANT BACK ALL THE FUNDS I HAVE PUT INTO IT FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS OF MY WORKING LIFE! , and DON’T go giving it to those who havn’t paid into it…PERIOD.
    Anyways, end of that rant….the other thing I would offer is that we need to up our education system to promote self sufficiency and independence, instead of this trend that we currently have (thats put our current leader in office) of Government DEPENDENCY, and entitlement, and this idiotic attitude that getting Government “assistance or help or what ever, is some kind of F*cking Status Symbol! It’s not! and sahme on anyone and everyone for deciding to become a Government PARASITE, instead of taking care of themselves.
    Educate EVERYONE on how money works…how to save…how to use Credit (debt) and how that works…how to read Finance reports and do their own research on finding reputable companies…we should be a nation of Warren Buffetts, not a bunch f whiny cry babies with our hands out to Uncle Sam when ever we want something…it’s become DISGUSTING! And since when did this happen?? what happened to the Independent, self sufficient, hard working “AMERICANS who won a world war and in turn built this country to what it is?? What happend to education and everything else that made the “greatest generation” (Tom Brokaw) so great?? how is it we have become so weak willed and easily deceived and become what many call “sheeple”
    My opinion, being a moderate is smaller more flexable Government, get rid of any programs that waste and have nothing to do with benefiting the general public. The function of Government is essentially what the Libertarians state, take care of infrastructure, provide a military, manage boarders with neighbors (where we fail miserably) provide for an environment for general citizens to grow and develop and do what they essentially want, (within laws and rules) essentially Health and education and general welfare (well being, not money or hand outs) of it’s citizens. Take care of international affairs, providing friendly relations and a positive business environment for prosperity.
    Much like you, and sure there are those negative people who will mock this thinking, but personally, I don’t care. I like the saying “Give a man a fsih, feed him for a day, TEACH a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime”. Of coarse no one wants to do this because there is no benafit in it or advantage for power and control, which is essentially all the Government has been concerned with in the last 40 years (maybe more). I know I’m rambling a bit, but much of what I see in society is people looking for the easy way out, the easy handout etc….UGH!
    Much of this reminds me of a article I read about someone trying to join the New York fire department, and try as they might, they couldn’t pass the test (physical or written I don’t remember) So they whined and complained and wrote a note to either the Governor or the paper editor that the exams for the NYFD shouldn’t be so stringent, so that more people could join the Fire Department. I read that and just shook my head at the simplistic and idiotic thinking, just because someone couldn’t meet the standards of the NYFD. They failed to consider a couple of things. what would lowering the standards really accomplish?? Nothing! What kind of fire fighters would these people really be who came in under the “new” standards? since they couldn’t pass the origional test that HUNDREDS or THOUSANDS of firefighters had passed in years before….they would be creating essentially a “2nd class” of firefighter. Would they be able to do all the things the origional Firefighers can do?? would they run into a burning building to look for trapped people and carry anyone out??probably not. Also, how would these 2nd class firefighters be viewed by the guys who passed the ‘origional’ standards?? as a ‘lower’ or sub-standard firefighter?? would they be able to trust their lives with them, since they couldn’t pass or meet the origional standards?? again, probably not. So whats the point of “Lowering” the standards so lesser people can become “firefighters’ even though they don’t measure up…what good would they be?? They would more then likely be more of a hazard and nuisance then a benefit!
    the moral (or my moral) of the story is this..we as a nation should be raising the standards and keeping them raised, instead of “Lowering” them as we have been. Giving into the “lowest common denominator” or pandering to mediocrity truly accomplishes nothing, but creates 2nd class citizens who will never be happy or free, and always be looked down on. We (or I) see this today with all the people whining for more Government hand outs..like the fools who so “eloquently” stated during the QE1 and QE2 funding and all the TARP stuff, that all that money SHOULD have been given to the people who “needed’ it (read want) instead of the banks or what not. Barring any political comments, the funds went where they should have, to keep the markets functioning, period. Bush (who started it) learned form the Mistakes of the (Democrats) depression years, when government tried to increase taxes on people who didn’t have jobs, companies stopped hiring or shut down completely, banks went under and everything collapsed due to a lack of liquidity. This lasted until WW2, when the Government started Hiring to build up the war machine we needed to fight Germany and japan etc. Had the Government done what Bush did, the depression might not have happened at all, or might have been a lot less severe. This is long I know and over simplified, but I view the current situation as fall out from the September 11 events. terrorists tried to ruin this country by attacking our financial sector, and our response was to “keep spending and shopping and keep the economy going” but in the end, they won, by driving us into a spending frenzy, excessive borrowing, all for the sake of “the Economy” and trying to prove that the terrorists had no effect…but in the end they did, by forcing us to drive the economy off a cliff instead. They got us to destroy ourselves with greed and materialism etc. Did the Government have a hand in any of this?? who knows…if they did…shame n them, and us for electing them. If not, shame on them for not protecting or borders and us (doing their job!) which just points out that Government is TO BIG, and inflexible and cannot function due to it’s own bloated existence. The left hand knows not what the right hand is doing. It needs to get back to where we were 60 years ago, creating and fostering an environment that will help it’s citizens flourish. don’t punish the successful ones, use them as roll models for success. If you want something you have to work for and earn it. If you want to be rich….do what rich or successful people do. But evidently, somewhere we learned that the “squeeky wheel gets the grease” and to many prefer to have Government hand out than do something for themselves. and it is these people who put our current ‘leaders’ in office.
    Thank you for having the guts to post this and stand up and say something reasonable with some common sense. I am sure we will get flamed,and you know what?? I Don’t care. I see what is wrong, and the ultra left wing “progressives’ are WRONG. this country was never intended as a socialist state and (hopefully) never will be. But thats what they want,because they view us as not being able to do anything for ourselves , and need to Government to hold our hands and take care of us…UGH!
    Id rather take my chances with a corporation, since I am an investor and a capitalist, and am better able to work with investing and making money that way, than with a Socialist Government that wants to destroy capitalism and business and take away most of what I have worked for and built over the last 32 years only to give it to someone with their hand out and never earned it! >=(
    Yeah we have problems and issues, but I think a lot of it can be dealt with through education, and reinstalling many of the core values that once made this country great. Thats not going to happen with Unions, welfare, affirmative action, lowering standards, hand outs, or any other Government intervention BS. We need to teach people how to fish, so they can feed and care for themselves, but it seems no one wants to do that and politicians would be terrified of it, because that would mean a better educated population, which is a threat to their position and potential power and control. It’s easier to control an under educated or illiterate population, than an educated one..this thought terrifies many, but, if enacted correctly, I feel it will ultimately lead us to the Life everyone truly wants, and a government that really functions and that we should have, and
    to “TRUE” freedom and independence.
    But thats just me, and I’d more then likely be shot if any of this got out. ;)

    Tom

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      TOM. FOR. PRESIDENT 2012!!!!!!!! (smile)

  • Amy

    Wouldn’t Eric agree, that really in the grand scheme of things none of us have it “right” or “wrong.” All of our opinions, ideas and beliefs, are just that, and have no basis in right or wrong, good or bad. Yet, we sit here going back and forth, getting progressively more angry and vitriolic about what? About the fact that what is, IS! Think about it, if we get this defensive and upset at the lowest level, it is exactly why nothing of substance can, or will ever get accomplished at the highest level where the trappings of being “right” are the strongest.

    The fact of the matter is none of us are “right” or know the “right” way to govern society. No president, or politician, or congress, or political idealogy, or Jo Schmo on the street is going to deliever us our desired shang-ri-la. Even if we lived in a society where everyone was healthy, productive secure and stable with butterflies and rainbows shooting out our asses, there would be those who weren’t satisfied and thought they could create an even “better” scenario. This is our human condition, our lessons for humanity, our individual lessons playing out. It just IS.

    This blog is a great example of how humans, no matter how open minded, compassionate, or loving we profess to be, are still so firmly rooted in ego we cannot let each other express differing opinions without having to say, “yeah, but …” Just let it be man. It’s ok, it really is ok.

    This is just another two cents in a long line of two cents.

    Peace and love to all! :)

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      Yeah, but he seemed to put that aside in the very beginning of the transcript. We could be millionaires soon if those two cents keep coming, but then we’d be hated, so….

  • dinabedina

    Tom man person, you got my vote :)

    What started as a Service to the people,
    For the people,
    through Greed and Ignorance and Fear,
    became a SELF SERVED system…
    Balance is on the way, I’m sure…
    Even faster if you were to be shot for its cause!
    ( wiggles her eyebrows… oui ? non? maybe? )

  • Tony

    It amazes me how overused the “Race Card” is these days, to the point where it has become laughable… true racism isn’t even called racism anymore, now its a “hate crime”.
    Why is it assumed that when someone mentions Affirmative Action and “Projects” they are implying a race? I didn’t see a particular race being mentioned in the original post.
    Regardless of who these programs have helped, they have given an advantage to minorities, except when those minorities happen to be white.
    For example, in places like Miami where the Hispanic population are in the majority, I’m willing to bet Affirmative action isn’t applied to the white minority.
    You have those accusing otherwise good organizations, like the Tea Party, of being racist simply because there aren’t many minorities in the group. The majority of the black population in this country happens to be Democrat, doesn’t that make them racist for not being a part of the Tea Party, if you’re using the same argument?
    In any case, this whole discussion has gotten a bit out of hand, and I for one am very surprised at some of the things said by some of the members here.
    My experience on this blog has been a great one, everyone here seems to be very intelligent, compassionate, and deep thinkers.
    I’ve made the mistake, more than once, of “typing” while “intoxicated” (not talking about alcohol)… intoxicated by the anger of the moment. And said things I’ve later regretted.
    I would urge anyone here who disagrees with someone to take pause and think a while before they post. Elisa is obviously a wonderful and caring person, and I would guess most or all of the others here are as well. That being said, keep that in mind in the future when you read something you don’t agree with.

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      Spot on, Tony, and playing the race card or the rich/middle class/poor card only serves to divide us more, fortifying that vexing separation illusion.

  • TonyB

    I just wanted to add that I’ve always considered myself to be an “equal opportunity racist” –
    I dislike everyone equally :-)

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      LMAO, Tony!!!

  • Shawna

    Hello all! Very touchy subject…I guess anytime you get into politics or religion your going to step on someone’s toes. People are going to have different beliefs and I think we have to work on not judging others beliefs or even judging.
    We are all here to learn. I try not to judge because I don’t know what life that individual has set up for himself/herself in this life. Maybe they decided to have the experience of being poor this life, but the last life they wanted the experience of being rich. We get all wrapped up in this illusion and our roles. You know the master could be the bum on the street and may be on his last life. He may be here to teach you and you may think ya right…what am I going to learn from him/her? We forget that we are all one and that what we do for another, we are doing for ourselves and we are mirrors.
    I would like to be a part of the group to meditate only on a peaceful and understanding government. Maybe we could form some regular once a month time where we could all do that.
    Love all the comments here! I think I’m going to have to go back to that post about Erik for President.
    I miss Skoshi! Where are you??? You could make some light here. I miss your sense of humor.
    Love & Light,
    Shawna
    Shawna

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      Skoshi is out of time moving out of a house that sold and she forgot her charger for her computer so she’s rationing her on line time! She’;; be back!

  • Shawna

    Also, wanted to share this video of Amy Tan: Where does creativity hide?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D0pwe4vaQo

  • conradg

    Elisa,

    Of course I don’t know you. I only know your words. And your words betray strange bigotries that seem out of place with your professions of love and equality. You are playing victim now, not taking any responsibility for your own political rantings and their ignorant presumptions.

    And now you are making personal attacks on me as having chosen fear over love. That is pure projection on your part, and makes you guilty of the very sin you are accusing me of. Why are you so afraid of people “in the projects”? Have you ever even been there? Many of them are simply poor working people, not on welfare at all. But you lump them all together out of fear as worthless human beings who are exploiting the system.

    And if I have made groundless assumptions, point them out to me, rather than make groundless assumptions about me out of spite. Show the love you preach, and show it to the people living in the projects as well, rather than showing them your contempt.

  • conradg

    Tom,

    SS is indeed an entitlement program, and its payouts far exceed what people have paid into it. You are welcome to take back out what you paid into it, but you won’t get nearly enough to pay for the retirement benefits it offers. In other words, you are entitled to those benefits, even though you didn’t actually earn most of them. (Most people only payed in about 25% of what they will probably get payed out, even taking compounded interest into account). And that is why the system is in danger. Same with Medicare, etc. Most of the people who bitch about the system, are actually leaching off it, and just blaming convenient scapegoats for it.

  • conradg

    Tony,

    “Why is it assumed that when someone mentions Affirmative Action and “Projects” they are implying a race? I didn’t see a particular race being mentioned in the original post.”

    Really? Really? Do you really think using “code words” like that means we don’t understand what race you are referring to? The resort to white victim mentality and decrying “the race card” is a clear sign of you know what. Having racist reactions isn’t the worst thing in the world, but not owning up to them gives no hope for growth.

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      We have a Caucasian blog member (one of the most enlightened ones) raised in the projects so stop with your labels and categories and divisiveness. You are welcome here when you learn civility. Until then, I must think of the greater good. I hope you grow up soon.

  • conradg

    Elisa,

    Criticism is not divisiveness. You have no problem dishing it out, but apparently a lot of problems receiving it. Learn about projection and fear, and how you do these, and you will grow. Until then, not. ‘Nough said.

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      I don’t call people names. So when I defend myself against you calling me a bigot, that’s considered unfair? Wow. And of course I’m going to defend myself from attacks like yours.

  • Patrick

    I also hope that, in addition to growing up soon, learns to spell soon, also.
    “Paid” in and “paid” out, and “leeching” off the system.

    Thinking soon, too! Statements such as “…Most of the people who bitch about the system, are actually leaching (sp) off it, and just blaming convenient scapegoats for it.”

    You know this, how?????

  • Shawna

    Thanks Elisa. Glad to hear Skoshi will be back! :)

  • conradg

    Elisa,

    I think I’ve made it clear that I think you have some bigoted political views, not that you are defined as “a bigot”. I have no problem with you defending yourself against that criticism, but to make this, literally, into a black and white argument, where you are on the side of love, and those who criticize you must be on the side of fear, is, well, bigoted. It is taking the “other” – in this case, me – and making them into an all-bad group who can be completely marginalized and separated out from the “good” people. I think you are simply demonstrating in this conversation the very separativeness you voiced in your political tirades above. That’s duality for you. If you were really serious about spiritual growth, you’d use this conversation as an opportunity to see some unpleasant things about yourself, rather than just project them onto others. It’s no big deal, really. As I’ve said, everyone has some bigoted views somewhere in their mind, it’s almost impossible not to. Being cleansed of such things requires seeing them and recognizing them, and that’s where other people can be helpful, by pointing out the things in ourselves we don’t see or recognize. Again, no big deal. Live and learn.

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      @ Conradg: Saying someone has bigoted political views is no different from saying they are a bigot, at least in my opinion. Let’s just call a truce and move on. It’s okay to agree to disagree, and I bet we’re not that far apart in our beliefs. It’s just that labels and semantics get in our way. Love you.

  • conradg

    Patrick,

    Thanks for the spelling lessons. Much appreciated. Your logic must be impeccable if your spelling is so good.

    As to this statement of mine:

    “…Most of the people who bitch about the system, are actually leaching (sp) off it, and just blaming convenient scapegoats for it.”

    I was referring specifically to the fellow who thinks he’s being cheated by the government on SS, when in fact it’s the other way around. As I mentioned, current SS beneficiaries are getting about four times as much in payouts as they have paid into the system. But so many of them, like the guy I was responding to, claim that they are merely getting back what they paid in. No sense of gratitude towards society for being so generous to them.

    Likewise, the areas of the country that have the highest right-wing-Republican-Tea-Party support are also the areas of the country that get the most net money from the federal government, while the opposite is the case in the more liberal-Democratic states, which actually pay into the government more than they get out. Lots of illogic in the anti-government rhetoric, which is happy to take the handouts of the government while railing against it.

  • Patrick

    @ conradg: Your repeated misspellings of simple words indicates you’re probably not well read and likely not a regular consumer of critical writing and thought.

    Insofar as your amazing hyphenated noun creation, “right-wing-Republican-Tea-Party” reveals, critical thought and underlying erudition has flown far above and past your airfield, that’s most obvious.

    The Tea Party is not Republican and is mischaracterized when described as “right-wing”. Have you ever heard Karl Rove’s or Former First Lady’s Barbara Bush’s comments about Tea Party backed candidates, like Governor Palin and Donald Trump? Obviously not…

    That last jewel – and it’s a gem – in your tarnished Information Crown is the amazing assertion that the strongest Tea Party support is found where the most net federal funds are received. I would say that Texas easily qualifies as near or possibly at the top of places where Tea Party support is high. Now for a fact – and please have a seat and grab hold so this epiphany of fact doesn’t floor you too violently, my friend – Total federal tax monies sent to the US Treasury by Texas residents and businesses, in the form of income tax, FICA and Medicare/Medicaid Tax, Federal Excise Tax, oil & gas royalties on federal lease blocks and so forth, EXCEED federal spending in Texas by more than a third. Yes indeed, from every dollar sent to “Dee Cee” only 75₵ are returned. Texas is the ATM of Washington, DC…

    “conradg” – if you seek to match wits, you must have some and endeavor not to be a dim one.

    You’ve crashed into some opposition here and appear, at this juncture, to be still resistant to divergent opinion and ideas.

    We all love each other and you, too. We have our love and friendship of Elisa, too and many of us take a bit of offense at the attacks launched at her like a horde of bellicose squirrels on a mission.

    She can defend herself efficiently – as you’ve been shown – but she deserves none of your ordnance and little of your provocations and while you do not appear to recognize it, she has earned the utmost of our respect, honor and admiration and is a person to be emulated, imitated and cloned, frankly.

    If you feel such need to continue the offensive, at me you should aim, not Elisa Medhus.

    Greetings, salutations and my hopes for your imminent illumination; with kind regards, “Professor” Patrick

  • conradg

    Elisa, fine, we can call a truce if you like. I just hope you loosen the bolt on that hair trigger, so I don’t have to walk on eggshells. And in the future, if I say something that offends you, just assume that I am only referring to what you have said, rather than you as a person. Everyone says stupid or ugly things now and then, including me, and it doesn’t make them a stupid or ugly person. The primary principle of spiritual life in my view is not to be identified with anything in our minds and bodies, good or bad, but to just face it as it is. You don’t have to agree with that, but take it into account as my own spiritual perspective. I never for a moment assumed that you were a bigot, merely because you voiced some political views that I would consider bigoted. You seem like a decent person with good intentions. We are not opposites, and neither of us are “choosing fear instead of love”. But we both have much dirty laundry to be cleaned. No sense in pretending that dirt is anything other than dirt to be washed away. It isn’t who we are.

    So, again, I agree, let’s have a truce and move on, not identifying with this or any other aspect of our egoic consciousness. It isn’t reflective of our reality, yours, mine, or anyone’s.

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      Agreed, but no more personal insults. That’s all I ask. And please remember that I’m just a plain ol’ human being with my own set of raw wounds and a wake full of tragedy. Anyone would have a hair trigger given what I’ve been through. And this post didn’t belong in the burn pile. Look at the lessons we’ve (hopefully) learned. I post what is channeled to me and through me and I will not stop that. No filtering, ever.

  • amy cavanaugh

    oh boy-all I can say is “words are just symbols for symbols thus they are twice removed from reality” regardless of what side of this arguement you are on-this arguement is purely about fear. basically we are supposed to always come from a place of love but especially as the world gets tougher and tougher-we are collectively becoming very very fear based and this fear is pulling us further and further apart from others. The way I see it people should give or not give to the less advantaged because they want to-not because the government tells us too. This week I had no money no gas in my car and no food and to top it off, I found out my cancer was back. For some strange reason instead of worrying about any of it, I just said to myself I know the universe will provide and without telling one single person that I had no food, no gas and no money – it did. As far as the cancer goes-I was like whatever-if it is my exit point it is my exit point-I mean I am not going to ignore it but I am not going to let it define me either. Now do I do this all the time? No but I did it this time and the universe provided-so I think I am safe to assume that the next time I get fearful because of a perceived lack or hurt I say to myself I can see this differently-the outcome will be as positive. If people would try to find some commonality instead of focusing on our differences we would be better off-sometimes there is only one little thing that two people will agree on-but once you find it-it is the jumping off point for opening the lines of communication. I was watching TV tonight-our country is in grave grave danger of going under-yet instead of trying to fix it they were bickering about whose fault it was. It doesnt matter whose fault it is – it doesnt matter what you say – it is your thoughts that matter yet somehow we define racism based on what people say-so if you have a negative thought about a different race-sex-creed but keep it to your self you are not racist-sexist or anti semtic-that is what our culture tells us-but that is actually pretty fucked up.

  • conradg

    Elisa,

    I accepted your truce yesterday, and you announced you would not allow personal insults on this blog. I think that’s a great policy. I just have to wonder why you would approve of Patrick’s lengthy comment above, in which he directs numerous personal insults to me. It seems like a clear violation of your stated policy. Since you moderate all comments, you must have approved of this one, which suggests to me that you have already broken the truce. Was that your intention? If not, I’d really like to know what was going through your mind when you approved Patrick’s post. If that’s the kind of post you consider “insult free”, I think you are going to have to define your policy a little more clearly. I get the clear sense that there’s a double-standard here, that if someone praises you, they are allowed to insult your critics, but obviously not the other way around. So it would be good if you’d clarify what your policy on personal insults and attacks actually is.

    And just to make it clear, Patrick’s post sent me into howls of laughter. I feel in no way implicated in his insults, or emotionally hurt by them. I think they backfire in his direction. But they do seem to violate your stated policy, and so I’d like to know why you approved his comment, and if I am going to see more of the same here. As I’ve asked here before, is this becoming a cult where the Dear Leader is loved and above all criticism, and all dissenters are separated out and scapegoated? Kind of seems that way right now, but I’m more than willing to accept that these are just the growing pains of human fallibility in a well-meaning group of people.

    • http://drmedhus.com Elisa

      Patrick and you can handle himself. I’m only responsible with defending my own sensibilities. I have faith that you two can handle your own. This is all about having faith in yourself and others. I can only be responsible for my own life, my own emotions, my own mistakes and my own successes. I suggest you take care of yourself. You’re the first person I have ever blocked, but sadly, I must. YOU broke our truce. I wish you well, I wish you love, I wish you happiness. Bye now.

  • conradg

    Patrick,

    Just to make sure you’re aware of it, but Elisa supposedly instituted a “no-insult” policy here. Not sure why she approved your comment, but it clearly violates that policy. I laughed my ass off reading it, so I’m not offended, but I’m not really sure what you are trying to accomplish in posts like these. Do you really think ad hominem arguments advance your views well? Generally speaking, they don’t, accept in the minds of purely partisan observers who are rooting for “their side”.

    You are quite right that my spelling can be sloppy, both from typos and a lack of concern for superficial things like spelling. You ought to see my handwriting! You’d think I never graduated from elementary school. As for my personal intelligence, I have no attachment one way or another to such self-images, but I do note that most everyone who knows me personally considers me quite intelligent and well-read, so I tend to accept their judgment. But none of that makes any real difference in this discussion. Your personal views about me really ought to be kept to yourself, they have no place here. Feel free to ridicule my views and arguments all you like, but ad hominem is just besides the point, and it lowers you rather than raising you up, as you for some reason think it does.

    Now, as to your criticisms:
    “The Tea Party is not Republican and is mischaracterized when described as “right-wing”. Have you ever heard Karl Rove’s or Former First Lady’s Barbara Bush’s comments about Tea Party backed candidates, like Governor Palin and Donald Trump? Obviously not…”

    In what meaningful way is the Tea Party not Republican? Virtually every candidate they have endorsed is Republican, and virtually all their candidates have been run as Republicans. Is there even a single Democratic candidate who is endorsed by the Tea Party? I’m not aware of any, but even if some are, they are exceptions that prove the rule. The Tea Party did not appear out of nowhere. It appeared out of the base of the GOP. It pretty much IS the base of the GOP. Even so-called Independents who are Tea Party members are people who have overwhelmingly voted Republican in the past. Even Ron Paul is a member of the Republican Party.

    And yes, this is all clearly taking place in what is generally called the “right wing” of the American political spectrum. I don’t want to reduce everything to left-right polarities, but the overwhelming majority of the Tea Party is right-wing, with little real variation. I don’t see why that’s even a controversial point. I no there are many different views inside the right wing, it isn’t a monolithic body, but it’s all pretty clearly politically a part of the general conservative movement that is the base of the GOP’s support. And yes, there is a bit of tension between the traditional GOP party leadership and the base they manipulate for votes, and Karl Rove certainly doesn’t want to see either Sarah Palin or Michelle Bachman get the nomination, since he’s more concerned about winning elections and gaining back power than ideological purity. Democrats are of course hoping that the GOP will continue to nominate embarrassingly unqualified candidates like these and Sharon Angle, who handed the Democrats a victory they by all electoral trends should have lost. Which just goes to show how blinded the Tea Party is by ideology, and is not an actual governing party. This could lead to disaster for the GOP, because it has thrown in with the Tea Party in an attempt to get its votes. The few remaining sane voices in the GOP are very concerned about this, but what we have here is Dr. Frankenstein voicing doubts about the monster he helped create.

    “That last jewel – and it’s a gem – in your tarnished Information Crown is the amazing assertion that the strongest Tea Party support is found where the most net federal funds are received. I would say that Texas easily qualifies as near or possibly at the top of places where Tea Party support is high. Now for a fact – and please have a seat and grab hold so this epiphany of fact doesn’t floor you too violently, my friend – Total federal tax monies sent to the US Treasury by Texas residents and businesses, in the form of income tax, FICA and Medicare/Medicaid Tax, Federal Excise Tax, oil & gas royalties on federal lease blocks and so forth, EXCEED federal spending in Texas by more than a third. Yes indeed, from every dollar sent to “Dee Cee” only 75₵ are returned. Texas is the ATM of Washington, DC”

    I refer you here to a series of links, academic and otherwise, which calculates the proportion of fedearl dollars flowing to the states in relation to their federal taxes paid. It shows that almost all the “Red” states have a positive flow of federal money, while most of the blue states have a negative flow. Since Tea Party support is largely proportional to GOP voting, I think this more than demonstrates the accuracy of my statement above:

    http://www.slate.com/id/2276583/

    http://blogs.alternet.org/speakeasy/2010/04/18/red-state-moochers-federal-taxes-favor-those-who-complain-the-most-about-federal-taxes/

    http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1451268

    http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2004/09/red_states_feed.html

    http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/topic/92.html

    As for Texas, first, I don’t know where you get your stats from. The following chart has year by year figures for all states through 2005 (page through to Texas):

    http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/22685.html

    It shows that Texas is indeed in deficit, but only barely. From 1987-2005 it’s ratio never dipped below 92%. It may be possible that these numbers have changed dramatically since 2005, especially given the financial crisis, which has hardly hit Texas at all, because of the huge increase in the price of oil and Texas’ laudable socialistic regulation of the mortgage industry, which protected it from the worst of the real estate bubble. But as I’m sure an intelligent fellow like you knows, exceptions do not invalidate overall trends, and the overall trend is clearly that of the more conservative Tea Party states receiving more in federal money than they pay in taxes.

    “You’ve crashed into some opposition here and appear, at this juncture, to be still resistant to divergent opinion and ideas.”

    I absolutely love divergent opinions and ideas, if they are delivered intelligently and based in reality, rather than pure ideology or cultic partisanship. I have no problem with your disagreements. But as I’ve shown, I think, they are not based in reality. You are welcome to disagree, but please, bring factual arguments, not merely ideological or “team-based” ones.

    “We all love each other and you, too. We have our love and friendship of Elisa, too and many of us take a bit of offense at the attacks launched at her like a horde of bellicose squirrels on a mission.”

    I’m sure deep down you do love me, you are just showing it in a rather odd way. And please keep the insulting characterizations to yourself. I strongly criticized some of Elisa’s political views, I didn’t attack her like a bellicose squirrel, though I do find the image quite hilarious At least you have a sense of humor when insulting others! That’s at least something for me to be grateful for. Now, if only you had a sense of humor when your Dear Leader is being criticized, that would be even better.

    “She can defend herself efficiently – as you’ve been shown – but she deserves none of your ordnance and little of your provocations and while you do not appear to recognize it, she has earned the utmost of our respect, honor and admiration and is a person to be emulated, imitated and cloned, frankly.”

    She certainly knows how to throw the F-word around, but I find that a little desperate, and her self-defense is really not very rational, but in some ways that’s probably a positive thing. It means it’s less likely to hold up under pressure. And let’s be clear, I think there are many wonderful things about Elisa, and I even share some of her political views, but some of them are quite abhorent and fear-based, in my opinion, and not something worth defending. No one is perfect, we are all far from it, and so I don’t see the reason to get hysterically reactive when Elisa gets called out by me or anyone else for holding views that are certainly open to strong political debate. Your chivalric response is well-meaning, but clouded by partisan emotions and, frankly, more than a little paranoia. Not only can Elisa defend herself, she’s not even under attack in the first place. She’s certainly entitled to her political opinions, but not to being held above the fray, especially when she puts herself in the thick of it with posts like the one I objected to.

    “If you feel such need to continue the offensive, at me you should aim, not Elisa Medhus”

    No one is “taking aim at Elisa Medhus”. Where does that kind of paranoia come from? I made basically a single criticism of her political statements, I’m not going after her on anything else. I think she’s a basically good person, or I wouldn’t even bother to criticize her. And I think her son is a great spirit, but even there, he’s no authority on anything, certainly not human politics. But I still enjoy listening to his point of view, even when it is different form my own. I also get that he’s in transition, and seems to be softening even his politics, though it’s all still rather vague. This whole attempt to discredit me as some kind of evil, fear-based troll is pretty sad, really, and not very becoming of a group of people with spiritual aspirations. I don’t mind falling into the middle of it like this, I have pretty tough skin and I’m a bit fascinated by the evolving social culture that’s developing here, and I’ve already profited quite a lot from the conflicts I seem to have stirred up. My philosophy is always, when handed lemons, make lemonade.

    “Greetings, salutations and my hopes for your imminent illumination; with kind regards, “Professor” Patrick”

    Well thank you so much for the sincere good wishes. I hope you find illumination as well, Herr Professor. I also hope you are not operating under the illusion of being already illumined.

  • dollparts

    Man, I really wish I hadn’t read this article. I’m not mature enough.

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