It is said that in a democratic system the elected officers of government represent the people. In many ways this actually occurs whether the ones in charge are elected or not. This is so because we are a common entity sharing a common consciousness and each of us, being affected one by another, always reflect each other.

Now what does it have to do with our politics? We are always in the state of blaming outcomes on each other, never acknowledging that it is really still us. We will say that the politicians have no stomach of compromise and that they really do not represent us when they can find no solutions. Yet the truth is that in finding no solution, they actually truly do represent us. At this stage we may acknowledge that the politicians are motivated by greed. They seem to greedily take from those who are purchasing influence. It seems far removed from us, yet the greed represented there is our own greed. Our desire to have something for nothing is manifested every step of the way as we all say “take it from the other guys!” Who is the other guy? It is me and it is you. Who is taking from the other guy? It is me and it is you. Who is greedy? It is me and it is you. The guys in charge cannot cease to be greedy unless you and I cease to be greedy first. He is only a reflection of us. The problem is not in your neighbor’s house, it is in yours, since you are also your neighbor.

So, truly politicians reflect us whether they are voted upon or not. When they cease to reflect us, we can no longer put up with them. It is, therefore, not useful to demonize them, nor is it to demonize one party or another. It is not useful to demonize as leaders or as dictators who took charge. What is useful to realize is that version with them in that state no longer serves us. You may think that this involves telling them so, yet this is not the most effective way, because what you resist tends to persist. This is Newton’s third law in disguise.

The most effective way is by changing who you are. If you cease to choose greed, then those who are leading you, whether you have elected them or not, will cease to reflect greed.