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At the speed of light, time ceases and distance shrinks; where does the universe come from? These were heady thoughts for a boy trapped in a body cast. Physics was still in pieces when John Hagelin first read about the life of subatomic particles. It seemed that he was in pieces, too, after a 1970 motorcycle crash led to an extended confinement. Perhaps the universe had found a way at last to hold him still long enough to get his attention.
Flipped SU(5) Grand Unified Theory
Physics is the study of matter in refined domains. During his confinement while a student at the Taft School for Boys, thoughtful teachers brought books to the young student. Hagelin absorbed stories and theories proposed by the great physicists Planck and Heisenberg. Here he found challenges that absorbed his mind and energy. Most intriguing to the young Hagelin was Einstein's search for a unified field theory.
Fast forward 14 years to the CERN physics laboratory, where Dr. Hagelin has been called in to help resolve the problem of uniting a certain "string theory" with the "standard model" of physics. String theories are mathematical models for the so-called unified field. The super-string theory is the physicists' model for the "Theory of Everything." Since Einstein's day, mathematical inconsistencies had kept these string models grounded. After several years of thinking about the problem, he wrote down his theory, called "Flipped SU(5) Grand Unified Theory" (GUT). Hagelin's theory was derived from super-string theory and linked super-string models to the standard model of physics, which is our everyday understanding of how life fits together. Hagelin, with the help of his friend John Ellis, had developed original and simple solutions to unify some long-standing problems.
The Road from Physics to Politics
So how does a physicist known the world over become the presidential candidate of a leading third party? While bedridden in a body cast, Hagelin learned the Transcendental Meditation technique, and through it, explored the nature of consciousness. He was as interested in the worlds within himself as he was in the physical world without. Einstein felt there had to be a connection between nature and human intelligence, and in Hagelin's continuing studies and papers, he has reasoned that natural law is basically indivisible at its unified foundation.
As a prominent Harvard-trained research scientist, Hagelin spent years on the cutting edge of physics, forging our understanding of how the universe functions without problems. In 1992 when the Natural Law Party was founded, it invited Dr. Hagelin to become its presidential candidate. Hagelin began educating the American public on the subject of natural law.
Natural law is the wholeness expressed in the unified field theories. That wholeness is everywhere around us now. Whole grains, whole brain thinking, holistic and natural healing methods are just a few of the catch phrases in our popular culture. The Natural Law Party's platform reflects the holistic qualities of natural law as they would be represented in government.
In order to further clarify the concept of natural law and its application to government leaders, Hagelin recently completed a draft for his new book, Manual for Perfect Government. The experience he gained from two campaigns provided him with inspiration for writing this personal but scientific treatise. Subtitled Harnessing the Laws of Nature to Bring Maximum Success to Government, the book presents a consciousness-based approach to government that would solve the pressing problems of today's society. Throughout, the author relates government administration to the larger universe, from the individual's happiness to the collective well-being of the nation.
Hagelin purposefully gave the book a narrow focus in order to reach those in positions of influence. It explains what consciousness is and how it can be developed and applied to government. Asked whether others would take to these ideas, Dr. Hagelin said, "Vedic science is much more natural to people than modern science. People live with natural law everyday. It is only a matter of their becoming more aware of it. After all, airplanes and car engines run according to principles of natural law. So can government."
Life-Supporting Government
If the purpose of government is to promote the growth and happiness of its citizens, then it is obvious that in recent times, our government has strayed. Hagelin's Manual identifies and outlines the principles of Nature's government, then describes how governments the world over could incorporate these principles into beneficial, life-supporting legislation.
The first chapter describes how the violation of natural law is the source of all problems and segues into chapter two, which illustrates the benefits of living in accord with natural law. Here the author includes highlights on a self-governing society, the founding of America, and suggests a new educational approach.
For his scientific explanations, Hagelin uses the human body as a microcosm for the structure of the universe, and further illustrates the scientific basis behind the mechanics of natural law. For those who would want to avoid heavy science, the author describes this third chapter as "mercifully concise."
The last two chapters focus on our national life. Applying the principles of natural law to all areas of government concern would alleviate them quickly, and natural law would automate their administration. Hagelin also plans a popular version of his book for wider appeal.
Support for Third Parties
Hagelin's other activities on behalf of wholeness in politics have recently included giving a keynote address earlier this month at the Center for Visionary Leadership in Washington, D.C., and joining other third-party leaders at the National Press Club to call for support for two bills introduced to Congress which would help level the playing field between the two large parties and all third parties. Dr. Hagelin and his press secretary, Bob Roth, were also present at the Supreme Court hearing in October for arguments regarding fair debates on public television.
Hagelin's other recent activities include joining the press conference organized by the Natural Law Party to call for support for two bills now before Congress. Representative Ron Paul (R-Tex.) introduced these bills to bring support to the efforts of Americans who want to enfranchise third-party voices. The first bill is the Voter Freedom Act of 1997, which prohibits states from erecting excessive ballot-access barriers to candidates for federal office, and the Debate Freedom Act of 1997, which prohibits candidates who receive federal matching funds from participating in debates that do not include all candidates qualifying for these funds.
"There are a lot of smokescreens going up right now as Republicans and Democrats divert attention from the real crimes against our democracy," Hagelin said. "The controversy over foreign contributions sidesteps the issues of special-interest control over the election process and the abuse of power by the major parties to eliminate competition.
"In fact, the United States has become the least democratic democracy with the most discriminatory election practices of any democracy in the world," Hagelin said.
Supreme Court hearings on behalf of Ralph Forbes, who as an independent candidate in Arkansas in the last election cycle was denied access to debates with candidates from the other parties on the basis that he was not a "viable" candidate, were encouraging.
The case presented by the PBS attorneys stated that, "PBS stations are instruments of the press, insulated by policy and practice from pressure by the state and should be allowed to make editorial judgements."
Upon hearing this, Justice David Souter asked, "Isn't that a way of saying that the distinctly minority candidate always loses?" Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg added, "Debate is for the public. It shouldn't be easy to exclude third parties."
Hagelin, who was with Roth at the hearings, was pleased "with the grasp that the justices had for third-party rights and their determination to uphold the constitutional rights of third parties and independent candidates." Roth added, "The Justices were not willing to turn the political process over to the Republicans and Democrats, and it seems that public television will not be able to arbitrarily shut out third-party and independent voices."
Third Parties Work Together
At the news conference sponsored by the Natural Law Party, leaders from five significant third parties were present, including Ralph Nader, presidential candidate for the Green Party. "In the '20s," said Nader, "African-American leadership marched in D.C. to protest being left out of the political process. Reporters from the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times were not there to report on the proceedings. At this historic meeting of third-party leaders, those same reporters are absent again. Third parties have the same status now as African-Americans had then."
Roth found the news conference "inspiring and moving," as third-party leaders had "never before united themselves to work together." He also felt that the Natural Law Party gained respect from other third parties for having taken the lead in organizing the press conference.
From Hagelin's perspective, the real issue is not campaign finance reform, but election law reform. "Election laws shut the door to third parties getting on the ballot. If this remains, then we will never get the government that we want."
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