Through studying and practicing the dharma, I have become aware of certain things that help me understand this world I live in and my place in it. I believe the diligent practical application of the dharma has revealed to me the base from which all human suffering arises. In light of this, I more clearly see what aspects of my life create suffering, and joy. I can see that American culture, more than most any other I've experienced, promulgates the three basic roots of human suffering: greed, hatred, and delusion. So much so, that I am currently seeking residency outside the US to remove myself from this obviously unhealthy situation.

An example of how America deals in greed, hatred, and delusion: The War in Iraq. Greed propels the American federal government/corporation to promote the use of gasoline to fatten its pockets, knowing full well that the use of fossil fuels is incredibly destructive to the natural environment we exist within. Hatred inspires the American government to send its young men and women to kill those in Iraq who stand in the way of AmericaÂ’s access to IraqÂ’s oil. Delusion arises through the American governmentÂ’s use of misinformation, propaganda, and intimidation and the American publicÂ’s wholesale consumption of it through the mass media.

If the current situation was 40 years ago, when America was involved in a war in Vietnam, I believe I would have had similar reservations about remaining in this country. I've spent time with Vietnamese Buddhist monastics who were exiled from their homeland because of their outspoken non-violent opposition to the war there. From these humble loving folks, I've heard firsthand about the reality of American "foreign policy". I've learned about the same thing firsthand in El Salvador from Peace Corps volunteers sent to stitch up the wounds left by American intervention there in the 1980s during the Reagan administration. While tattooing vets of the Persian Gulf War and the War in Iraq, IÂ’ve heard firsthand accounts of our militaryÂ’s involvement in the Middle East. My opinions about this country are not based on the spoon-fed bullshit I see on TV. I have seen tears well up in the eyes of those oppressed and persecuted by our government. It breaks my heart to be part of an America that continues to cause so much harm and oppression abroad, especially considering the enormous problems we have here at home.

As a taxpaying citizen of the United States, I fund the murder of American soldiers and Iraqis, for oil. This is a fact I canÂ’t get around. As long as I remain a citizen of the United States, I work for George W. Bush. To his credit as the quintessential American businessman/politician, he effectively, and at times illegally, worked his way through the political system to gain a position where he could most effectively push oil on the American public and therefore continue his fatherÂ’s legacy of greed and foreign conflict. It has become increasingly difficult to allow myself to play along with their agenda, so rich in human suffering.

IÂ’m also very concerned about similarities between the current situation and historical examples of democratic societies overrun by despots. From what I understand, Italy had a government system much like ours before Mussolini took control. Before Hitler, Germany still had supposedly free elections, much like here right now. The Nazi regime grew under the guise of improving GermanyÂ’s society and economy. Only after the Nazis had the full support of the German populace through misinformation, nationalism, and intimidation, did they take over full control of Germany and unleash the full fury of their secret agenda. In both Italy and Germany, as with any democratic nation overthrown by a despot before or since, certain changes needed to happen behind the scenes to allow a dictator to take control: things like slowly giving the president more individual power and taking power away from those who oversee him, and creating a private "security force" that answers only to the president. It has been made quite clear even in the mainstream media that this is the case in our current administration, and those in control are getting more and more suspect every day. It's quite clear to me that now is the time to get out while I can.

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But for as much as I criticize cars and politicians, regrettably, I too have fallen prey to the lure of gas money. IÂ’ve already done my part to support the automotive industry. Over the last few years, IÂ’ve done freelance work for Scion, a Japanese car manufacturer. When their XB model was first released, I saw it as a breath of fresh air in the American automotive market. I loved the little breadbox utility vehicles I saw in Japan, so I was psyched to see one available in the States. I got to drive one, and I loved it. The ad agency Scion hired to promote their vehicles in the US in turn hired artists like myself to work on promotional projects geared to attract the attention of hip, art-loving young Americans. TheyÂ’ve been great clients since the start. They paid on time and gave me a lot of creative freedom. Of any automobile manufacturer out there, I would still choose to work with Scion if none other. But, as of this year, as a rule, I wonÂ’t do any work for a company that promotes the use of fossil fuels in any way. IÂ’ve learned from my mistakes and moved on...

And as my farewell to accepting money from gas peddling tyrants, you can catch me here on Dec 7...

And to support the better way to get around in Australia, check out this show on Dec 5...

(No comments, please.)