4.3 Political Decisions

by Eric Chaet

Every inner turmoil absorbs attention
& requires temporary or final resolution
before progress can be made—
likewise every conflict between or among individuals
every conflict between or among groups of individuals
genders, age groups, nations, different histories
people with different physical characteristics
ethnicities, creditors & debtors, aggressive, diffident
labor, management, employer, employee, producer, consumer.

Meanwhile how is education best organized & implemented?
How is food best provided? Clean water? Clean air?
How are wastes best disposed of?
How is medical care to be provided?
Who is to provide what infrastructure? On what terms?
Who is to police what behavior?
What are the terms of engagement?

Who is to pay? For what? How much?
Who has the authority to decide these questions?

Should a person give up on humanity as a whole
& concentrate on his or her own well-being?
Or is one’s well-being inextricably
bound up with the well-being of nearby neighbors
& neighbors however distantly removed
& speaking other languages & otherwise occupied?

Shall I concentrate on progressing as one among everyone?
Or mainly look out for myself?

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Also posted online @ Dear Dirty America (USA).