Why We Need a Philosopher in US Congress By Steve Moyer

Why We Need a Philosopher in US Congress

By Steve Moyer

Al-Jazeerah, April 24, 2006

On April 21, I had a political discussion with an elderly woman who told me "I don't want a philosopher in Congress." Well, that's what I am and I'm running for the United States Senate. I think we need a philosopher in Congress because we have a bad philosophy. Our country is falling apart because of this philosophy. It is the philosophy of dominance and control. It has failed to produce good results.

Some people think that the purpose of laws is to control the behavior of the people. But we have had laws against drugs for decades and people are still using drugs. Some people think that the purpose of the military is to control threats to the nation. But we have been in Iraq with our military for three years and it is more out of control than ever! Control doesn't work. When we believe we can pass a law or mobilize the troops to control people we are deluded.

We can perceive the illusion; but when we believe in the illusion then we are deluded. We have decided to believe in the illusion of control. We have become deluded. America is deluded because it has subscribed to the philosophy of control. We need a new philosophy. Do you think we can get it from a lawyer or a businessman? That's the majority of what we have in Congress today. Lawyers are all about control and businessmen are all about controlling the bottom line. Both are dedicated to the notion of control. What we need today is a new philosophy, a philosophy of consensus. The Republicans believed they were in control of the Congress because they have majorities in both the House and the Senate.

But were they able to formulate a sane immigration policy? No. How about controlling the budget? No. How about victory in Iraq? No. Congress is as much "out of control" as the nation itself. We need to seek consensus. The Republicans have said "deficits don't matter" but they lack consensus on that assertion. Deficits DO matter. The Republicans told us that Iraq would be a "cakewalk" but they lack consensus on that as well. The Republicans have been running our government on the philosophy of control and failing repeatedly to make the people happy. Thomas Jefferson said "Without virtue, happiness cannot be." How true it is.

Our Republican-dominated government has lost its virtue. It's become smitten by the "control bug" and the nation has fallen ill, divided by countless passionate issues which drive reason out of the room. This is the consequence of Republican rule, a nation divided by prejudice and passion, unhappily watching our money disappear as our jobs go overseas. The Democrats repeatedly complain about how their proposals are sent to a committee and never heard of again. The Republicans refuse to seek consensus with the Democrats. They sometimes even refuse to give them a meeting room for a hearing.

This is the Republican idea of "controlling congress." We need a philosopher in Congress to create a new philosophy, one based on virtue rather than violence, on consensus rather than control, and on reason rather than passion. We need wisdom. That's what philosophy is all about: the study of wisdom. Virtue works to produce good results. Jesus said "Judge by the fruits." The fruits of Republican rule are delusion, division and destruction. The Republicans have run up the national debt, embroiled us in endless war, and deceived us about the importance of virtue in society.

They teach us that "only money matters" and have bribed the people with tax cuts which our children and grandchildren shall be forced to pay. Ross Perot said that the budget deficits were "stealing from our children" and he was correct. This is the most immoral, irresponsible, and illegitimate government I have seen in my lifetime. So let us consider putting a philosopher in Congress, one who knows the difference between power and control, virtue and vice, good and evil.

Power is necessary to accomplish anything. Control is complete illusion. Virtue is all those things which are good for human relations, things like love, kindness, respect and tolerance. Vice is all those things which are bad for human relations, things like greed, selfishness and dominance. It's time for a change. It's time for Congress to have a conscience. It's time to send a philosopher to the United States Senate. Blessings!

Steve Moyer Candidate for U.S. Senate http://stevemoyer.us

Earth, a planet hungry for peace

Apartheid Wall


The Israeli Land-Grab Apartheid Wall built inside the Palestinian territories, here separating Abu Dis from occupied East Jerusalem. (IPC, 7/4/04).

The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers in the West Bank, like a Python. (Alquds,10/25/03).

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