Bob Schwartz

I rarely write about psychedelics. See, for example, Psychedelics as icon smashers.

Why am I writing about it here now? It is apparent that political leaders of all parties and ideologies, and by extension some of their followers, are being driven by unbalanced or unhinged self-interest and self-importance. This is blinding and deafening them to any reality that isn’t about themselves and what they think and believe. There may be good intentions involved, but as the proverb goes, good intentions are the road to hell.

We might ask that these politicos turn to their respective religious traditions for a selfless and clear vision of the way things are and how they and their followers can help. Many are religious people. But respectfully, as much as some help does come from these traditions—and it does—there is also a measure of exclusivity/superiority and an enforced parochial vision of reality that does more harm than good.

Am I suggesting that perhaps on Inauguration Day, all gathered political leaders and politicians, all members of old and new administrations, all members of Congress and the Supreme Court, should partake in a psychedelic experience? No.

But imagine it. Recall that in the view of some, the January 6 “gathering” at the Capitol was a “day of love”. It wasn’t. Psychedelic Inauguration Day would be a real day of love—a perhaps wild but nonviolent one—that might lead to some real breakthroughs and humane improvement in how American government operates in 2025 and beyond.

© 2024 by Bob Schwartz