The fine line between self and me

By our very nature, we are self serving. We are designed to eat when we are hungry, sleep when we are tired and protect our livelihood. We have learned behaviors and anxieties that can subvert that some. We also have learned behaviors that use these instincts to go further than self care, into justifying self serving behavior for gain beyond need - to disguise want for need. We can take these behaviors further to justify actual greed.

And in moderation, it allows some of us to work and live with a safety net and cushion from basic issues like hunger, shelter - and get on with pursuing art, love and well being. In moderation, it hopefully helps one help others get there too.

It's when we act in self interest beyond the boundaries of need, beyond the boundaries of others freedoms. It's the difference between self care and "me first". It's the difference between working hard to get into a school and buying your way in. It's the difference between running a energetic and smart campaign and asking outside interests to get rid of your political opponents.

I'm certainly not perfect. I own a few more guitars than I can justify. I need to modify my life to be more in line with sustainable guidelines on waste and consumption. I've worked hard to benefit others and in turn benefit myself and my family along the way - I have taken opportunities that others might not have gotten. I'm aware of my windfalls and fault, at least to a healthy extent and my family, friends and community help ground me there, remind me of who I need to be.

This president, this "me first" buffoon, this two bit hustler is a cancer. He presents himself as the normal, but is greed and narcissus incarnate. He sets the worst example by doing the worst he can. He doesn't work to get where he is going by helping others - he blackmails to get what he wants. That's not deal making. That's win/lose. And you can't sustain a business with that philosophy - even in a perfect capitalism. And in democracy, a real democracy, you have to push for the common good, not individual greed.

And it's in the common interest that he needs to be removed. And that in the next election cycle, the infection that he has spread be removed and replaced with people interested in representing their constituency and work for the common good - and prevent that which subverts common interest in the form of special interest. That's self care.