Michael Lippman

One of the saddest developments of the past decade -- or two or three -- has been the politcal arena failing to deliver real food for thought -- real food for the spirit, if you will.  Instead, our politicians and media have mostly delivered empty calories -- in the same way that processed foods deliver the apprearance of food, without the reality. 

"Real food" is not accessible to the average consumer of politics and political news, and worse, the average consumer has been fed such a steady diet of the "processed" that he/she has lost the ability to tell the difference. 

Cynicism and resignation take over in this state of affairs.  I am not speaking about others, by the way, I'm speaking about myself.  I have been there for a long time in the realm of politics -- depressed and completely tuned out, impotent and resigned.  I have just not cared.  This is so tragic, because authentic discussion of the "body politic" is essential to its health and well-being -- and we're all part of that body!!

It appears as if several factors might be contributing to a change in this state of affairs.  One is the presence of Barack Obama, who strikes me as an authentic human being.  The other is an economic depression which may finally allow us to get real.  Depression in the individual can be a very valuable thing -- providing depth, insight and authenticity which often cannot be accessed during "good times". 

Let's first acknowledge this depression and not wait another two or three years to name it -- denial will only make things much worse.  Then we can start to work with it, and address it, and allow it to take us into the depths (consciousness-wise), where real re-invention and transformation can commence.

(BTW, CNN poll that came out just a few minutes ago -- how many Americans believe we're heading for depression: http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/06/news/economy/depression_poll/?postversion=2008100613)