Senator Christopher Murphy of Connecticut was recently highlighted In a New York Times article because he has been warning the right and the left leaning portions of both parties that there may be a deeper component to the current American conflict and malaise. He speaks of a metaphysical/spiritual crisis.  “The challenges America faces aren’t really logistical,” … “They are metaphysical. The article summarizes:  Americans want their political leaders to take a step back and ask two simple questions: What makes a good life, filled with purpose, meaning, and happiness? And what does government need to do—and not do—so that more people have access to this life? 

There is that troublesome, hard working, victim-of-a-word ‘good’ again. Candidates carve out of piece of good’s presumed meaning and take it on the road selling it for votes. The good Senator wants us to take our considerations to the next level. When these two political conventions are completed in the next short period of time every one of us must choose who represents the more genuine goodness in a vote.

I was sitting in Chicago by North Pond the other day and an older man with nothing but time on his hands asked me why I didn’t like a certain candidate. I sensed he was teetering on the edge of a decision and it is rare these days to be asked such an honorable question. My response came slowly as I realized this may contribute to his ‘moment of truth’ down the path. Finally I responded, your candidate enjoys cruelty too much to be trusted with America’s power. The old thoughtful man had no immediate response, but in these days of rehearsed rebuttal, thoughtfulness is a step forward. And we talked on exploring and tuning our individual senses of good. 

Our national history has sufficient cruelty woven into the patterns of its history that all good people must take pause to consider that our story and identity are nuanced with the good, the heroic, and the horrendous. I would guess if we stop shopping for good at the political parts shop, and touch into our own and community’s humanity, a vast majority of us will choose the right leadership. As wise voices are telling us these days; we are all human, and make mistakes, but still we decide and work for that choice.