Talking in the Fluff.

Just like the Bob’s in “Office Space” being Michael Bolton fans … I am a Drinking Tea Fan. Or shall I say fanatic (emphasis added for dramatic effect clearly). I stand confident that there is not much better than a warm cup of exotic tea steaming up your glasses whilst attempting to be productive. That being said, today I was pouring myself a cup of Yogi Pomegranate Green Tea and as I was mindlessly steeping the tea bag in my ungodly hot water, I noticed a little phrase on the top of the tag on the tea bag. I read it and read it again and had to laugh. It read:

“The soul is projection. Represent it.”

Curious as to what other ingenious morsels of non-wisdom Yogi Tea bags had to offer, I started opening up additional tea bags just to read the ridiculousness. Needless to say, this little venture prompted me to successfully open every tea bag and my tea is now probably going to go stale. However, I did get a few good laughs out of the “enlightening” Confucious-like statements. However, I was actually disturbed by quite a few at the same time. Here’s one that I think we are hearing a lot these days by the likes of Oprah and her little entourage of feel-good fanatics:

“There is nothing more precious than the self.”

What’s most disturbing about these little mantras, is that people are actually adopting them and living by them , although I’m not sure how as there is nothing to necessarily live by. The bigger problem is, these mantras and ideologies that are stemming from such mentalities are completely void of content or grasp of reality. Therefore, we have a large contingent of people living essentially “in peace” avoiding confrontation, avoiding real boundaries, and avoiding any real opinion except a non-opinion. Consequently, we are undoubtedly experiencing these effects seeping into our faith, our education, and of course our politics.

And here goes my rant …

With this New Age-like movement and mentality of “search within,” “imagine it and it will be,” “find your center energy,” “your inner spirit is the center of the universe,” etc. it is no wonder that there is substantial criticism of anything that actually is confrontational or has any kind of substance. For example, the Bush Administration.

(Yes, I’m going there. I went from discussing tea to discussing politics. Don’t be so shocked people. It has been done before … Boston Tea Party ring any bells?)

People can say all they want about the Bush presidency. But, in a time and era where no one is making decisions and everyone is beating around the bush (no pun intended) about just about everything, here is a President that had actual convictions and acted on them. Perhaps he was wrong about a few things, but he is resilient and steadfast in his efforts to make it right.

But with the dollar dwindling, a media invoked unpopular war, foul-mouthed fools calling the current presidential term a “failed presidency,” corrupt politicians stepping down left and right due to ridiculous indiscretions, and this hippy-like free spirit movement, there is little doubt that there is some widespread discontent across the country with the current state of our government. However, while there is typically always a reason to be disgruntled about the powers that be, I don’t think the majority of average voters – especially those involved in this new movement -- quite know what they want changed (besides perhaps a new bill that would distribute free self-help books from Dr. Phil to the masses – who needs tax breaks if we get this perk!)

Sure, this demographic can put on a tacky bracelet, add a “I Support such-and-such Cause” application on their social networking device that they are shamelessly addicted to, and spout off some three-word max revolutionary rhetoric, but I would venture to say the majority of voters aren’t remotely aware of the bare bone facts and figures of the salient issues of this monumental Presidential campaign we have in our laps. They may know every funny “Bush-ism” from the tear off calendar that they have in their cubicle and they may know to put an angry face on every time the word Iraq is mentioned because well, that’s the trend. But when it comes down to it, these voters that are turning out by the groves at the polls know how to regurgitate flowery utopian sound bites (just like my lovely Yogi Tea bags), but if they were asked to actually come up with solutions and facts for the issues, they would be left talking themselves into a fluffy metaphorical stupor.

Cha ching. Remind you of anyone?

Democratic candidate Barack Obama does this consistently -- that is, talk himself into a methaphorical stupor -- in every speech I’ve seen or heard him give. And, that is exactly why Barack Obama is currently the ideal candidate for this large and powerful population of voters.

In Obama’s run for the White House, I have found the majority of his assertions to be null and void of sense and foundation. With every major issue, I'm still not quite sure where he stands. But, it’s to be expected as it’s the new running trend in America to say a lot to essentially say nothing at all. If there is one thing Obama knows it's knowing his audience and adapting accordingly. Consequently, we are being left with a void of truth, reality, and realistic vision and Obama’s whole platform encompasses this aura of the unknown and uncertainty. The man is eloquent, he is compelling, and he is charismatic. But, voters are becoming increasingly enamored with his eloquence, tangible beauty, and charisma and compromising on the substantial matters of leadership.

Thus, it is no surprise that Oprah’s endorsement really sky-rocketed his popularity. Some analysts are saying she single-handedly propelled his Presidential run from theory into reality. And to that I say … It’s a sad day when Oprah the talk show host is influencing the future of this great nation. (But, let’s be honest, I’m still holding out hope that she’ll add my blog to her “must read list.” I would be worldwide in no time.)

Regardless, the small tag on my tea bags prompted me to realize that this growing revolution of feel-good mantras are definitely the growing trend in thought and action and could consequently have the effect of “a wolf in sheepskin.” While the mentality that gives creed to these statements operates underneath the banner of innocence and non-violence, at the core I believe it is one of the most dangerous growing ideologies of our time. Leaving hard defined truth to the birds and looking to the self for all the answers to every situation is inherently fatal and flawed and doomed for failure.

I am not asserting that Obama signs on to all these mantras or New Age ideologies. What I am merely stating is that I think his rhetoric can be characterized as having the same non-qualities and non-substance as the rest of the New Age feel-good propaganda (i.e. Yogi Tea bag wisdom). I think this very fact is dangerous especially at this juncture in American history. What we need is a strong leader who will lead from a solid platform of substance and conviction.

Unfortunately, I’m not saying this candidate is out there, but I will say it’s definitely not the candidate that could get a second job working at Celestial Seasonings writing tea blurbs. Let’s reserve that job for wannabe writers …. Like …. Me!