May Day

Buddhism might seem to not be political but if you’re for the alleviating of suffering of all people, political good, a shocking idea to many, would also be a good.

You buckle down with individual responsibility and retreat from society. At some point, you're going to re-engage with society. 

The quest for enlightenment might seem an individual journey but since the sangha is vital, you go for enlightenment interconnected to everyone.

Conservative and progressive, right and left political personalities are part of a democratic dialectic. It’s OK to be a conservative Buddhists. Many are. Conservatives may be very kind but just don’t want government, feel freeing people from government is the greatest good. I accept that conservatives have an important voice in a democratic society. 

My personality swings left. So to government can be used to fight for justice, equality and liberty. Engaged Buddhism swings left for me. Defend the environment from corporate greed, profit from destroying the environment. Stop corporations buying politicians who are for liberal gun laws, and spread misinformation. Defend a woman's right to health care. Basically act in our own self interest. Support democracy, don't use voter suppression to get your way, don't cheat the system to get your way. Don't pass laws that persecute people. Rebuild the middle class through good jobs with living wages. Tax the rich. Reverse nearly everything Reagan and Trump did. Universal health care would really be efficient in cutting out wasteful administration, and be good for business in many ways. Take care of the people, but be mindful of conservative feelings as well. 

Therefore I celebrate May Day and the workers.

May 1st is also Beltane on the pagan calendar. We've got some days coming up. May the 4th is a Star Wars day, and 5/4 is Dave Brubeck day, and on Arrested Development they created a holiday before Cinco de Mayo to buy up all the party favors out of spite against Mexicans, called Quatro de Mayo. And May 5th is Vesak the high holiday for Buddhists!