Seven questions could determine our future

Last week we got glimpses of several different whitetail bucks growing antlers in velvet. Birds have begun to flock along telephone wires. Sumac bushes are showing fruit clusters and their leaves have begun to show red instead of green. Monday night the pre-midnight sky was almost constantly full of thunderstorm lightning for a couple of hours. Wildfire smoke continues to drift south from Canada. About the only thing worse than this Summer’s weather has been state, national, and international politics.

early August, sumac color change

Photo by J. Harrington

Minnesota has a couple of special elections coming up for state senate seats and one for a house seat. Next year the state and country engage in midterm elections. Although Joy Harjo’s poem, as written, is directed at candidates, I believe it would serve US better if every voter read and memorized, or at least copied, the poem, and personally asked the questions of each and every candidate seeking donations and / or votes. From An American Sunrise:

For Those Who Would Govern

First question: Can you first govern yourself?

Second question: What is the state of your own household?

Third question: Do you have a proven record of community service and compassionate acts?

Fourth question: Do you know the history and laws of your principalities?

Fifth question: Do you follow sound principles? Look for fresh vision to lift all the inhabitants of the land, including animals, plants, elements, all who share this earth?

Sixth question: Are you owned by lawyers, bankers, insurance agents, lobbyists, or other politicians, anyone else who would unfairly profit by your decisions?

Seventh question: Do you have authority by the original keepers of the lands, those who obey natural law and are in the service of the lands on which you stand?

(In my opinion, the required, correct answers to questions 1, 3, 4, and 5 is YES; to 2 should be at least “manageable;” to 6, NO; and to 7, it depends.)

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