Most of this energy is focused on trying to get to the heart of what, for lack of a crisper and more accurate term, passes for 'conservatism' in this part of the globe (“lack of...” because no one seems to want to conserve anything, but rather, modify the situation to suit a complex of mostly reactionary agendas).
But I have to tell you that, right now, I'm feeling pretty damn puzzled by the thinking of American liberals too. At least, a certain kind of liberal.
Here's the story.
As I pause from cleaning my house to write this, the television's tuned – for no good reason really – to my local PBS affiliate's pledge drive. A fellow named Wayne Dwyer (wait, excuse me, Dr. Wayne Dwyer) is walking back and forth on a stage instructing an audience of well-moneyed folks (at least, well-moneyed enough to pay for a seminar) on the simple joys of plugging into what he calls the “intentionality of the universe.”
Now listen, I know what you're thinking – 'hey jackass, turn off the set and finish mopping the floor'. And I will but something's just occurred to me.
You see, they (PBS) broadcast these seminars and have the self-help gurus in the studio during their pledge efforts because it brings in money – doing so must inspire a segment of their audience, either deep and wide or shallow and deep pocketed, to contribute or they wouldn't do it year after year (after all, they're not stupid – I think).
It's probably fair to say these sorts of froo froo, mix and match, new agey 'spirituality' events (along with accompanying DVDs, audio tapes, books and so on) appeal to people who're comfortable with words terms like 'multi-culturalism', 'diversity' and Dr. Dwyer's tongue twisting contribution, 'intentionality'.
Or to put it another way, liberals (or at least a glittering segment of the liberal camp).
So while a hefty segment of the conservative camp talks about the necessity of following Jesus (and there's this business about god having a 'plan for each life' – a notion so popular even Sinister ol' Dick Cheney referred to it during his performance in one of the many Reagan funeral events of last week), their natural enemies, the liberals, are reaching deep into their pockets to learn about the “intentionality of the universe” and other weightless matters.
It's really tough to have a robust political culture when so many people – across the ideological range - are going out of their way to find gurus.
Back to mopping.
.d.