Politics, Psychology, & Disillusionment

         One could say that there are actually four main governments that operate through our political system. (Notice that the word used here is "operate" and not "work.") These four governments pervade all levels of politics and actual government function, and exist THROUGH the belief systems of citizens. However, they do not all function as we might want to believe they do. Actually, they function partly in fantasy, much of it in disguise, too often in disjunction, largely by default in lieu of citizen participation, and intermittently in mysterious (perhaps miraculous) efficiency.

         The first is the government of the representative and democratic government that many of us learned to expect from those we elect - a fairy tale we would all like to believe in. Please let me clarify: There is a difference between the (functional) holding up of ideals in order to then, step by checked-upon step, create realistic priorities and goals, and the (dysfunctional) holding of ideals and then merely proceeding as if they are already realized. Obviously, the latter feels good but gets nothing done, and the former only works when the ideals are converted into something pragmatic and then implemented. On the other hand, it actually IS representative since it also represents the non-voting, the un-seeing, and the insincere that exists among us. I'll refer to it as the "Fantasy Government."

         The second government is that which governs those we elect when the people are fantasizing about the first government or just too often looking elsewhere. I refer directly to the power elite, which I'll call the "Masked" government, and yes it exists and definitely functions. "It" doesn't use conspiracy necessarily -- but with various and sundry, at times conflicting, but still very highly defined sets of agendas. A currently exposed example would be the tobacco industry. It is a powerful executor of only one agenda perhaps, but the precedents being set with this special interest are part of the agendas of many other special interests, who together will take as much of our financial capacity, our health, and certainly our power as we let them.

          The third government is the body of politicians that we have elected, and which actually carry out government functions - more or less. I don't feel I need to say much about this the "Elected government," since it is what generates and fills most of our political media nowadays. The confusion that we experience (focusing on them), as we try to figure what they are really doing, is where the "smoke and mirrors" tricks work their magic on us.

         Just how much of that can you take before you get brain-dead dizzy and tuning out, if not consciously disillusioned and ticked off. And do you think this might have tended to effect one's memory after awhile -- until now as you read this, that is ? [Ok, I'm really trying to put a positive twist on this, .. Did I emphasize 'perception' or 'FOCUS' yet?]

          The fourth government is the conscious awareness and action of the citizenry when it is being truly responsible, by such as insuring that we elect and maintain people of integrity in office. Just how real this government is varies. I call it the "True" government, to the degree we are motivated in being ourselves and acting cooperatively, maybe even consistently, and manifesting our highest dreams and hearts' desires. Sometimes we see it happening, too often it seems we haven't.

         Right now the focus is on the images of the Elected since too few people know much (if any) of the reality of the Masked, too many are disillusioned from still trying to see the Fantasy, and not enough people make time to learn about and perform the duties of the True. While the Elected are generally _very_ knowledgeable about all four governments, they most enjoy the ignorance of the True (with sad but applicable irony in those words), and they thereby enjoy the rewards from the Masked. They have thus developed the double standards that citizens have been increasingly exposed to over the last three decades. But until one understands the extent and ramifications of the power elite's hold on the elected officials, we will continue to be dumb founded by the events and decisions that come from the Elected. ['We' meaning those of us who haven't resigned to the sheople's conspiracy theory - that it's safer for our ego, feelings, blood pressure, and overall safety, to believe it's useless and painful to believe we can or should make a difference. That it matters when those in charge of our health system are pressured to follow the political line vs what science has shown to be valid - a theocratic political line, at that.]
         What I'm trying to say here is, it's all about -!-and REALIZING that it's all about-!- BELIEFS. Beliefs about who gets to be in charge, of things like structure and security, authority and empowerment, worthiness and fullfillment of purpose, and when, why, how, and how much, as instilled by the micro-culture, as well as the culture, that we grew up in. The CHANGE of anything is all about BELIEFS and how they are formed and what they are formed of. Only a few years ago did I begin to realize -- and appreciate somewhat -- how unusual this view might be. More importantly, how many others might benefit by considering these perspectives. But that's another story. Paradigm shift tension, anyone? How much are we ready for? (But doesn't every writer asks that question - or just those who want us to "bridge" - to encourage exploration of our potentials and what we perceive as our limitations?)

continued a little further below...

And yet another story I've come upon: *What the Bleep Do We Know* - ESPECIALLY the MUCH expanded, "Down the Rabbit Hole" version (book, DVD, etc) expands exactly on the core of this matter (beliefs, consciousness, and change), although it doesn't take it political