This Is Where the Magic Happens

During political season, or in other words anytime there is national election in progress, it is difficult to rationalize the picture of Washington, DC that is being painted in the press with the Washington, DC where I spend most of my waking hours and earn my keep. I didn't really understand civics until I came to work in this city, and the organization that I work for has a culture of questioning the judgement or at least being highly skeptical of the motivations of folks that also earn their living in this town.

This is Where the Magic Happens - Capitol Building - Washington, DC

I know it's not necessarily very popular right now, but I've really grown to love this city. I've also grown to appreciate the robust nature of the system of government that has been in place, largely unchanged, over the last 250 years. We're a young country yet, but we're beginning to get a little history. I've come to believe in the strength of the representative system and the wisdom of how that system uses the loves and fears, the logic and emotions of the American to steadily, but not necessarily smoothly, make progress.

Those ideals are easy to forget in the rhetoric of the campaign system, but when I get out in the open air and away from the two dimensional analogies that come across the flat screens of technology, I'm reminded of the enduring principles that have guided us to this point so far.

There are things to be learned, and philosophies that still need more exploration and credence, but from a Western industrial perspective the way this place is run has been very good to me.

I believe that we're standing on the edge of an epoch where the first two or three layers of Maslow's hierarchy of needs are achievable on a global scale, and the challenges we face are coming to terms with this stunning technological achievement. If we can come to terms with this new(ish) reality, we can make progress on the next levels of respect and self actualization as individuals. 

When I think of what we have in terms of the the responsibility (as well as the opportunity) that they confer on us, I sense a daunting challenge ahead. A friend of mine remarked that he wished the current crop of political candidates would lay out a vision for the future that looks forward, and instead, he senses that we're falling backward into fear. I don't think he's wrong, and I don't really know how to fix things. I do believe he is vocalizing a great need that is lying dormant, waiting for someone to lead the way to that better vision.

I have another friend that believes the dangers are too great, and that only through a rebirth will we be able to realize those aspirational goals. I fall on the optimistic side of thing, and think we stand on the brink of a great opportunity that carries great responsibility.

US Capitol Building on a Beautiful Spring Afternoon

For now, I'll walk and record my observations, hopes and dreams here.  The time for action is drawing close, and I hope I'm ready for it no matter what form that it takes. I'll look forward to tomorrow and offer help where I find a need.