Fighting for the Soul of America

I may be the only Quaker who is in favor of war. Because there are rulers standing on a balcony, each opportunity of which, to rouse their troops to invade the marketplace; they must be taught a lesson. Because there are rulers dressed in embroidered robes telling their disciples that they will win heaven if they unquestioningly follow; they must be chastised. Because there are rulers holding taxpayers hostage as they bicker among themselves; they must be removed from office.

I'm looking for a few good people to wage a war for the soul of America. Mind you, there's no need to be religious or even believe in the soul, per se. Likewise, there's no reason to believe that America deserves redemption. As the song lyric goes, "There's only you and me and we just (can) disagree."

Rather than attack the oppressors from the outside, I believe the best chance for victory is an attack from within the hearts and minds of the oppressed. Therefore, it will be what Americans feel, rather than what we see or hear, that will turn the tide in our favor. Be clear, however, that the feelings needed are not of security or justified spending. For this war is not about the toppling of a figurehead, but what psychoanalysts call the superego. A generation, or generations, of Americans raised to believe what they technologically see and hear, will be given the good kick in the head that they may even welcome after so many years of bombardment by advertisers.

Not long after an anniversary of the death of John Lennon, imagine all the people living life in peace, not pieces. Yes, there should be medicine, even MASH units, to help those who suffer collateral damage from a programmed-life fallout. But let it not come by way of another program - of hospitalizations and medications that immobilize us. Instead, help me to turn the channel on America's remote compliance. Help me to free us by simply stepping out of our chains of hopeful consumerism. As trite as it sounds, help me to help ourselves experience inner freedom and victory over self-enhancements.

Already the barricades to insanity are being erected. Already people are longing for and finding their way back to themselves and others - sometimes, admittedly, because they can't afford to live apart anymore. Already we are made to realize that we are more than our jobs, our homes, our possessions and wardrobes. Indeed, I can taste a victory without artificial coloring or sweeteners.

Yet, wait a second: This is not a war with winners and losers, just a fight for the soul of America in all Americans. Dig deep, then, and bring to the surface the only gold worth the price of sacrifice.

O' say can you see, by the dawn's early light...