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October 23, 2004
House Divided
This presidential election, and the one in 2000 bring to a fine point the issue of the division in the electorate. David Brooks declares this division to be a mystery in his editorial in today’s edition of the N.Y. Times. Brooks makes many insightful comments which gives important clues to resolving the division in our nation.
The United States is divided over an issue very familiar to almost all of us – head and heart. When head and heart are aligned, wonderful things can happen (Go SOXS!), but when head and heart diverge, all manner of trouble ensue. When this happens at a personal level, we may feel uncomfortable, perhaps experience “cognitive dissonance” and if things really get out of hand, exhibit schizophrenic behavior.
But more instructively consider when head and heart diverge socially. This is painfully seen in many couples; an emotive, highly emotionally partner and their cognitive, action oriented mate fight. These couples struggle with issues of power/safety, and love/acceptance.
Not surprisingly, these are exactly the issues our nation faces today. We face questions about our economic stability and vitality, our physical safety at home and abroad. Our national psyche is challenged when we try to understand our own national power and how it effects our world neighbors.
These issues are resolved for couples only when both parties realize they need their partner. We as a nation need to go through a similar resolution process – of understanding our need to integrate head and heart.
The best example of this integration I’ve ever seen is a horse and rider; the rider as “head”, the horse as “heart”. Ask a horse person – you’ll get the picture.
We as a nation can do this. But we have to want to be whole first.
Posted by pgutwin at October 23, 2004 8:58 AM