== US ELECTIONS: SHEEP PSYCHOLOGY ==
Namaskar,
Although the US economy is no longer the elite, still in many regards
America is looked upon as the greatest of the great and the world
leader. This is the case with US popular culture, fashion, movies,
and...the political system. Yes, politics.
The US of A is deemed as the greatest of all the republics, the most
sterling of all the democracies, and the fairest of all the lands.
Around the globe this is the misperception many harbour; naive people in
other countries who have been spoon-fed US propaganda have the false
impression that the US democracy is the greatest on earth: One which is
a fair and equal system and is buoyed by a very sharp, and well-informed
electorate. This is the mistaken image of US political life that many hold.
In reality, however, the US political system is severely lacking and
deficient. It is not a great democracy nor are US citizens properly
informed voters, rather they are quite easily fooled.
Here are some critical points for everyone's review and consideration.
DEMOCRACY IS FOOLOCRACY
As every Ananda Margii knows, Baba has declared democracy as a foolocracy.
Baba says, "Democracy is defined as 'government of the people, by the
people and for the people.' But in fact in the majority of the society
are fools; wise people are always in a minority. Thus, finally democracy
is nothing but “foolocracy”." (PNS-4)
And perhaps, nowhere is Baba's statement more easily verifiable than in
the US.
SHEEP MENTALITY OF US PUBLIC
For instance, consider this: As the US presidential primaries get
underway, it is quite evident that the majority of the population only
likes to support front-runners-- i.e. those candidates who are in the lead.
This occurs to such a degree, that as one or another candidate grabs the
lead in the race, then huge crowds of people switch their alliance
towards that candidate. This is the first and foremost case of sheep
mentality in US politics. The common public lacks the mental substance
to choose and select their own candidate and instead they get swayed by
what everyone else is thinking.
But that is not all...
The leaders in the presidential race(s) not only enjoy huge public
support but they also get more 'air-time' during debates. Thus who gets
to speak in a debate is not based on the merit and viability of their
ideas, but rather on how popular they are at the time of the debate.
Thus even if a particular candidate has an excellent plan or proposal,
if that candidate is not super popular when the public debate takes
place, then they will hardly be given one second to speak. And such
things are tolerated by the US public.
This is all the very real way in which the US democratic system
operates. And one of the main cogs in the wheel of US politics is a
grossly simplistic public that just dances from one candidate to the
next-- depending on who is winning at the time.
So none should think that the general population of the US is highly
sophisticated and politically savvy. It is not at all like that. Rather,
instead of being able to truly evaluate the quality of a candidate and
then stick with that person, the common people merely look over their
should at whom everyone else is supporting and then jump over to that camp.
Thus, when Baba says, 'Democracy is nothing but foolocracy since the
majority of the people are fools', then who can think that the American
Democracy is anything but.
Even then there are more critical parts of the story.
GREAT SCAM IN US POLITICS
Here is why the ruling corporate powers-- the kings of capitalism--
always select democracy as their system of choice; and here is how the
common people get totally duped by this entire ordeal of democracy.
In the US, the corporate powers control the press to a very high degree.
And the press and the professional pollsters create surveys to determine
which candidate is leading-- before the actual election takes place. And
based on these very polls-- which are easy for the capitalists to
manipulate-- certain "unfavourable" candidates can be virtually ousted
from the elections before a single vote is cast.
That combined with the fact that to run for the Presidential post in the
US means having a campaign fund of over 100 million-- much of which
comes from corporate sponsorships and vested interest groups-- then it
is again quite clear why the top capitalists enjoy the spoils of democracy.
And through it all, the common people are duped and duped again--
thinking that everything is dandy and fine.
Because the people honestly believe that they are able to decide
everything in an election when in fact, by these very polls & surveys
that show which candidate is ahead, the corporate powers can easily
influence the public vote. Because everyone naturally favours the
front-runner. All want to be part of the winning ticket.
So really, it becomes quite clear how the US democratic system works and
what is the force behind its operation.
GREAT SCAM IN US POLITICS (Part II)
Since the US presidential politics are underway right now-- here is one
other point that is of high interest to all margiis and Proutists.
Because our duty is to understand Baba's teaching and be able to
recognise all the various loopholes of democracy.
In the US presidential primaries-- where the two main parties select
their top candidates-- the voting does not occur all at once. Rather
over a period of several weeks the process unfolds. And the results are
made public after every step.
So given the fact that there is so much sheep mentality-- all chasing
after the leading candidate-- then the election gets quickly decided
when not even one percent of the population has voted. Because the
public gets so easily swayed by who won at the very beginning that those
early votes decide the entire election.
This happens in both the Republican & Democratic primaries. So the whole
democratic process becomes a farce. Not every person's vote is equal.
Instead those states that vote in the very beginning have a huge &
domineering effect on the entire election.
WHAT IS THE ANSWER--
HOW SHOULD DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS BE HELD
As within our Proutistic system, there is scope for the electoral
process-- such as in our BP elections etc-- then we should be aware of
the pitfalls of democracy and have practical answers and viable
solutions as well.
1) Firstly, the public needs to be made adequately aware about every
candidate's character and qualifications so that one will not be so
easily swayed by popular opinion.
2) Secondly, corporate powers must not be able to have such a firm grip
on party elections. They should not be the ones controlling the
newspapers and funding the polls which determine the popularity of a
particular candidate.
3) Thirdly, in order to give proper weight to each vote, when the actual
voting process does take place, then all the votes should be kept
strictly confidential and sealed until everyone has voted. Then and only
then should the votes be counted and be made known. By that way, those
who vote first will not decide the entire outcome of the election. And
those who vote later will not be effected by what earlier voters did.
4) Plus there are many more aspects of this voting process that we
should consider as outdated and archaic.
MUST NOT BE IN AWE OF THE US
Finally, and perhaps most importantly in this present era, those
residing in other countries should not be in awe of the US political
system. Members of other countries should not feel inferior to the
American democratic state. Because such feelings of inferiority lead to
an imbalance of power; plus those in so-called poorer nations then feel
they should emulate the US each and every step of the way-- when in fact
the US democratic system is not worthy of copying and pasting all around
the globe.
Thus by seeing the state of affairs of the US democracy and how
elections are run, it is quite clear that the whole process operates
from a point of weakness and manipulation and not from a stance of
strength and justice.
Others should also share their views, understanding, and perspective of
this entire issue of the fallacies of democracy, especially in the US
since through mass propaganda many around the globe have been falsely
led to believe that the US is #1.
BABA'S BLESSING
Day by day the loopholes of democracy are becoming more and more
evident. Our job is to spread the name & ways of Prout, as only Prout
can bring wellness to our human society.
Baba says, "We are waiting for the rising sun with crimson rays. Even
now the crimson rays are a bit visible. These crimson rays are the rays
of PROUT." (PNS-17)
Namaskar,
Gurumurti
Note 1: WHO GETS ELECTED AND WHY
Here Baba sheds light on why a particular candidate gets elected, thus
exposing the weakness of today's democratic process.
Baba says, "Whether or not a candidate gets elected usually depends upon
party affiliation, political patronage and election expenditure. In some
cases it also depends on antisocial practices. Throughout the world,
money plays a dominant role in the electoral process, and in nearly all
cases, only those who are rich and powerful can hope to secure elected
office." (PNS-21)
Note 2: JUST ONE SCAM
Below Baba points out how the capitalists just manipulate elections
according to their own interests. This is a daily way of life in America
where capitalists control how each and every candidate is viewed by the
public.
Baba says, "The farce of democracy has been likened to a puppet show
where a handful of power hungry politicians pull the strings from behind
the scene. In liberal democracies, capitalists manipulate the mass media
such as the radio, television and newspapers...there is little scope for
honest, competent leaders to emerge in society." (PNS-21)
Note 3: HERD MENTALITY
Here Baba points out how herd mentality ruins the integrity of any
democratic election process. Needless to say, this is rampant in US
politics.
Baba says, "Mass education is one of the basic necessities for the
successful and effective running of democracy. In some cases even
educated people unjustly abuse their voting rights. People cast their
votes at the insistence and inducement of misguided local leaders. To
approach a polling booth like a herd of cattle to cast votes in ballot
boxes is meaningless. Is this not a farce in the name of democracy?"
(AFPS-2)
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Health Guideline: Diet Related
Baba says, "For proper digestion, fill the stomach half-way with food,
one quarter with water, and leave one quarter full of air." (CC-3,
'Procedure for Eating')
Note: Every conscious margii follows this above point but sometimes for
certain people it becomes difficult to follow. Especially at retreats or
during feasts this rule is not so strictly followed by some. Whereas in
everyday life when they are in their own home this is not a problem.
Anyhow, the above guideline given by Revered Baba is highly significant
and we should follow it.
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