Why Kindness Matters — for Self-Reflection

Why Kindness Matters — for Self-Reflection

 “If you can run a deficit to go to war, you can run a deficit to take care of veterans.” 

 — Chris Hayes (2014)

Eleven years ago, congressional republicans were arguing against expanded veteran benefits. Today, they’re doing the same.

Why does anyone believe the lies that these republicans actually care? Why the pretense? imho a truth about all politicians: some intentionally lie; others lie to themselves—conveniently acquiescing when pressured by the moment; and still others see expansion of government benefits as lower in their hierarchy of values because of its costs, without necessarily weighing relative value of its expense. Too many politicians see war expenses as more legitimate than investing in the quality of life for war’s survivors. While today, republicans are in the crosshairs, politicians, even the most caring, tend to sacrifice the most vulnerable and least heard, even children, first. For politicians, kindness is more easily forgotten, ironically so, as it’s Jesus’s focus.

Often, though, when the immediacy of society’s safety subsides, priority naturally focuses on wealth acquisition—for whom and how unfettered that acquisition should be. Who gets how much? And what excess, aka taxes, is reinvested in society and for whose benefit? What’s the excess’s purpose—should it be used for what improves life in society or for what enriches the wealthiest—and, more importantly, how is this determined? What rises to the surface among the myriad of values we hold dear?

All I know for sure is that we yearn for what seems simple: freedom, safety, and probably, were we to look into our heart and soul honestly, privilege aka justice/fairness (worth we feel entitled to because of who we are). Yes, as our comfort rises, so does our desire for fairness/justice; yet that’s truly circumstantial and dependent on one’s POV. 

The truth of fairness and justice is its inherent relativity; key is both one’s own reflection and consideration, and never assuming or relying on authorities, institutions, oaths, or norms for assurance.

So should we frame society’s purpose in terms of whether we want to reside in an equitable constitutional democratic republic, or something else—whether privilege is determined and cemented through law; or society’s institutions favor loyalty to its ruler and the ‘nobility’ who ‘bend the knee’ so as to maintain or gain favors? Do we want some people enslaved to others by law, or all equally free? What fundamental rights do we embrace?  Considering these—and likely better—questions helps enlighten and inform us.

Does a thriving economy inherently equate to an ethical society? And why don’t economic metrics of thriving align with how many experience their struggle to improve their lives? Why these questions matter concerns society’s morality—rather than personal morality, where individuals’ choices about religion, beliefs and their own pursuits reside.

Amorally speaking, society’s design is about equity and justice in wealth distribution. Morally, it’s valuing people’s dignity and everyone sharing in the fruits of society’s successes: e.g. scientific research, health care, education, infrastructure, enabling people to live freely to pursue happiness as they envision it, safely and peaceably.

Complexity unfolds from either POV as a fractal explosion when one honestly reflects. When we frame society as about the economy, we sidestep self-reflection:

What does it mean to be kind—for society to be kind? 

  

And what does it mean when we choose not to ask?

© Leslie Bianchi

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