My Brief Worldview and Policy Recommendations
The beliefs of Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism I have endorsed, at one time or another, and now have doubts about; but I still try to keep an open mind about metaphysical issues. However, there is value in meditation as a way to achieve inner peace. Meditation calms the fight or flight lower brain. Religions typically do not make the problems of this world a primary focus.
But in the face of imperialism, militarism, poverty, and many other global problems, the highest expression of spirituality for me is to work for social justice and political fairness. Also, we should radically reduce the disparity between the rich and poor within each country and among all countries. If these goals were focused on while working to achieve ecological sustainability, there could be significantly more joy and peace in the world. But international laws would have to be respected.
In the United States, if an amendment to revise Article V of the Constitution was passed, there could be a constitutional convention in a fair and democratic way. A constitution should not be impossible to abolish, and it should be easier to amend. In a future constitution, we could have the following:
Proportional representation in the election of the national legislature.
The equal empowerment of the seven largest national political parties--taking all money out of politics.
A unicameral legislature (after the US Senate is abolished).
The election of a president by majority vote (after the Electoral College system is abolished).
Instant runoff voting in the election of candidates.
On a local level, the residents of each elementary, middle, and high school could choose their own school board, which could then develop its own educational philosophy and curriculum, using public funds. This measure would increase neighborhood togetherness.
Lastly, we should work to achieve a democratic world government, which at the very least could eliminate all nuclear weapons, nuclear energy, and ultimately fossil fuels. There is just one world, one earth, and one humanity. What is needed is more planetary or world citizenship and less nationalism.