Bigger issues are at stake in election 2022 than food and gas prices.
What are some of these issues as I see them?
–The future of democracy in America. Several wannabe governors and secretaries of state whose jobs it is to count votes have publicly declared that they will not abide by an election count that displeases them.
–Social Security. Several senators (Scott and Johnson for starters) have declared that they want to cut or eliminate Social Security. Elders among us have been putting part of their paychecks into SS for decades and current people running for office want to gut the promise SS offers.
–The right of women to have control over their own bodies and health decisions.
–The right to marry whom one loves. (Supreme Court Judge Clarence Thomas, himself in a heterosexual marriage with a woman who praises those who invaded the capital on January 6 and was present for that desecration, has declared that he wants gay marriage to be re-considered by the Supreme Court, the same gang that just took away a 49 year precedent that allowed women to make decisions about their own bodies).
–The role of violence in Civil discourse. Not only the violence exhibited (and only mildly condemned by a few Republican leaders) toward the husband of Nancy Pelosi, but threats against congress people and those who count votes; and the rise of antisemitism. The violence of January 6 against capitol police and the push to kill vice president Pence and Nancy Pelosi and the declaration that January 6, violence and all, is “normal political discourse” is on the ballot this election.
—Fascism is on the ballot this election. Do we want fascism, which is a politics of authoritarianism, of institutional violence, of might over the ballot box, the opposite of democracy? If that is your choice, then vote up and down the line for that party that guarantees democracy will not happen in the future in America.
–Fascism’s opposite is democracy, a government of, by and for the people—not a government of, by, and for corporations and the super wealthy who can buy whatever they want—including judges and legal schools that train lawyers and judges; social media outlets; national media outlets and other propaganda machines that regularly prefer spreading lies to truths and hatred to love and violence to peace.
All that is on the ballot this voting season.
–The Planet’s future and that of our children for generations to come is on the ballot. And that of millions of other species. The preservation of the good Earth is on the ballot.
–Justice and compassion are on the ballot.
Please vote. And vote wisely.
See Matthew Fox, Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth.
And Fox, Sins of the Spirit. Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society.
To read a transcript of Matthew Fox’s video teaching, click HERE.
Banner Image: John Lewis (later U.S. Representative) was among the civil rights marchers beaten in Selma on “Bloody Sunday,” 3/7/1965. Photo from the Obama White House Archives.
Queries for Contemplation
Again, what in your opinion are the biggest issues in this 2022 election?
Recommended Reading
Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth
Fox’s spirituality weds the healing and liberation found in North American Creation Spirituality and in South American Liberation Theology. Creation Spirituality challenges readers of every religious and political persuasion to unite in a new vision through which we learn to honor the earth and the people who inhabit it as the gift of a good and just Creator.
“A watershed theological work that offers a common ground for religious seekers and activists of all stripes.” — Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice.
Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society
Visionary theologian and best-selling author Matthew Fox offers a new theology of evil that fundamentally changes the traditional perception of good and evil and points the way to a more enlightened treatment of ourselves, one another, and all of nature. In comparing the Eastern tradition of the 7 chakras to the Western tradition of the 7 capital sins, Fox allows us to think creatively about our capacity for personal and institutional evil and what we can do about them.
“A scholarly masterpiece embodying a better vision and depth of perception far beyond the grasp of any one single science. A breath-taking analysis.” — Diarmuid O’Murchu, author of Quantum Theology: Spiritual Implications of the New Physics
12 thoughts on “The Bigger Issues On This Season’s Ballot (bigger than food and gas prices)”
Matthew, You begin by telling us that there are bigger issues are at stake in election 2022 than food and gas prices. Then you list a number of issues that concern you in our midterm election. 1. Several wannabe governors and secretaries of state whose jobs it is to count votes have publicly declared that they will not abide by an election count that displeases them.
2. Several senators have declared that they want to cut or eliminate Social Security.
3. The right of women to have control over their own bodies and health decisions.
4. The right to marry whom one loves.
5. The role of violence in Civil discourse.
6. Do we want fascism, which is a politics of authoritarianism, of institutional violence?
7. The Planet’s future and that of our children for generations to come is on the ballot. And that of millions of other species. The preservation of the good Earth is on the ballot.
Then you ask us: “Again, what in your opinion are the biggest issues in this 2022 election?” My answer is, “All of the above!” And it is clear to me that the polarization that we now have between the Democrats and Republicans is so extreme, it is the first time I have seen actual hatred for the political philosophy of the opposite party. And never have I seen an alternative to what I have always loved about my country, so threatened!
Thank you for reminding us to vote and that democracy itself is at stake!
I agree that the American ideals of freedom to choose our own values and make our own choices are on the ballot. In America we have the right to worship as we wish, to read books that we want to love who we wish, to live and work as we wish , to make our own medical choices, to vote as we see fit but now these choices are being threatened by the Republican Party and if they win we all will loose! Please vote !
Having two teen daughters heaviest on my heart is that women can no longer make decisions about their own bodies regardless of the circumstances. As well gun accessibility is a huge concern for me. Our daughter’s softball team for a fundraiser decided to raffle off a gun. This is upsetting on so many levels. I am new to you and your teachings I have recently started a new spiritual journey, thank you for your insights they ring personal truths to me.
Perhaps Justice Thomas would like to revisit the interracial marriage legislation as well.
Yes, Matthew, Truth, Justice, and Compassion are the biggest issues in tomorrow’s election!
May God’s Spirit of LOVE-WISDOM~TRUTH~PEACE~JUSTICE~STRENGTH~DIVINE WILL.. be in the hearts, minds, spirits of US voters in a graceful way tomorrow!
🔥💜🌎🙏
The biggest issue now is whether or not this country will continue to be ruled through democracy. Unless democratic rule continues, we will not tackle climate change because those who want to destroy democracy also refuse to face and do what needs to be done to reverse climate change. I am a woman, and reproductive rights is important to me, so are the other issues you name here, Matthew; but nothing is more important that these two: democracy and climate change.
#BROKEN
This will be short and sweet: the issues at stake, for me are / protecting our democracy, climate change and a woman’s reproductive rights. It is said: If a person chooses to stay in denial THAT is a mortal sin. I pray we all choose truth and love. May God bless America.
Pray for the safety of all Election Judges voluntarily staffing polling stations across the U.S.
What’s at stake? Democracy, critical thinking, public civil discourse, all the “isms”, climate change, reproductive rights and women’s health, equity, inclusion, and truth. This is such an important moment in the history of our country. I hope and pray everyone chooses to vote for the things that really matter. Most importantly though, I hope that we can begin to heal our divisions and come together again as a nation.
I agree with the issues set out by Matthew. However, I cannot dismiss the huge increases in gas and food prices. People at the bottom, like most of us in this HUD senior apartment building, have to cope with these when we are on fixed incomes and must keep cutting back. The Democrats have been complicit for decades in the rush to make money and have not remembered their traditional base. They have not provided a convincing message to voters. I spoke with a man last week who had a small business with a fleet of trucks. He was a lifelong Democrat but said he would vote Republican this time because fuel prices were ruining him. It is hard to argue with him and thousands and maybe millions of others. I well remember what was said of Mussolini after WW2, that under him the trains ran on time. On the one hand it is selfish not to consider the big picture, and on the other, a person’s very survival may be at stake. What looks like security is just a trap but it’s hard to convince people of that when they are trying to support a family.
The right wing has worked for decades to destroy Social Security, and do other oldies remember the screams of horror when Medicare went through? Communism, they shouted. All of our safety nets are at risk, all of our freedoms are at risk. Maybe we did not get the message across.
Sue, You bring up a number of points that are important to consider. “People at the bottom, like most of us in this HUD senior apartment building, have to cope with these when we are on fixed incomes and must keep cutting back.” And you say that some may vote Republican this time because of oil, and you use Mussolini as an example of meeting the peoples’ immediate needs–despite the bad that came in return…