I love America. Call it nationalistic pride if you want, but I think that this country still has potential to be great. I was born here, and even though the third world conditions all around me sometimes make me so disgusted I want to ditch this piece of dirt and start over in a country that actually cares about the health and happiness of its citizens, I’ve stayed. Why? Because I think that this place has the potential to be great. We have the potential to become a first world nation.
What’s the root of our problem? It’s not immigrants, it’s not pollution, it’s not money, it’s not any religious group or ethnicity– it’s greed, it’s unhappiness, it’s a lack of time, a lack of educational resources and a media-enhanced polarization of ideologies. We’re the richest nation on Earth, but there’s such a huge divide between the upper classes and the lower classes that it’s almost worse than feudalism. How do we fix it? By taking action. We have to buck the system. We have to stand up, call in sick, leave work in droves, turn off our televisions and stand outside on street corners with signs. We have to ask our leaders, our bosses and our politicians the kind of questions that are going to make them squirm. We have to change our daily habits virally, en masse, and send a message to the big corporations that rule this nation in the only voice we have left– the voice of the consumer.
I’m not advocating violence. I’m saying that we need to simply stop playing the game that the rich have written the rules for. We need to stand up and work together to change the rules or we are going to be trampled to death by the fortunate few as they swarm in like pigs at the feeding trough. We need to inform people, show them how their materialism selfishly hurts others. We need to educate people, make them think, and take action now before it is too late.
And if “the man” tries to put us down, if the system pushes on us, takes away our voice, our rights, our liberties or anything else we have, we must stand stronger and work harder toward a future where America will be a nation we can be proud of again, a nation where our children can grow up safe, where our children can always get the healthcare they need, and where our children won’t have to be afraid of speaking out against corruption wherever it may hide.
Showing posts with label empowerment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label empowerment. Show all posts
Ethics
I found the most amazing thing in the parking lot of a gas station yesterday.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve found some pretty amazing things on the ground– mostly money, a few tens, a few twenties, things that people lose but don’t usually go back for or can’t claim at a lost and found.
Yesterday, I found a Nintendo DS.
I have to admit, my first thought was something along the lines of “Holy– sweet!” but as I turned the thing over in my hands and looked at it, realizing what a prize I’d found, it also struck me as what a prize someone else had lost. I’ve seen DS’s in the store– they’re not cheap, and they’re certainly out of my spending range. “Should I keep it?” I wondered. It was a sure bet that I probably wouldn’t get a chance to hold one in my hands again until Nintendo came out with something better and slashed the price on the DS to somewhere near reasonable, and by then it might not even matter anymore. I stood there in the rain just looking at it for probably five seconds, torn.
And then my ethics kicked in.
I’m not a religious person, but I live by one singular rule, a code that I think is valid in any situation where one is presented with a moral dilemma: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
So I took it into the gas station and gave it to the attendant, hoping that the person who lost it would come back looking for it and ask the attendant those hopeful words: “Has anyone turned in a...”
Because if it was my DS, I’d hope, even expect someone else to do the same for me.
It’s not a perfect world, there are plenty of unethical things going on everyday that we cannot change, but what we can do is teach by example. We can live ethically, simply because to do otherwise is to be a douchebag, and if enough of us do it, we can change the world.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve found some pretty amazing things on the ground– mostly money, a few tens, a few twenties, things that people lose but don’t usually go back for or can’t claim at a lost and found.
Yesterday, I found a Nintendo DS.
I have to admit, my first thought was something along the lines of “Holy– sweet!” but as I turned the thing over in my hands and looked at it, realizing what a prize I’d found, it also struck me as what a prize someone else had lost. I’ve seen DS’s in the store– they’re not cheap, and they’re certainly out of my spending range. “Should I keep it?” I wondered. It was a sure bet that I probably wouldn’t get a chance to hold one in my hands again until Nintendo came out with something better and slashed the price on the DS to somewhere near reasonable, and by then it might not even matter anymore. I stood there in the rain just looking at it for probably five seconds, torn.
And then my ethics kicked in.
I’m not a religious person, but I live by one singular rule, a code that I think is valid in any situation where one is presented with a moral dilemma: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
So I took it into the gas station and gave it to the attendant, hoping that the person who lost it would come back looking for it and ask the attendant those hopeful words: “Has anyone turned in a...”
Because if it was my DS, I’d hope, even expect someone else to do the same for me.
It’s not a perfect world, there are plenty of unethical things going on everyday that we cannot change, but what we can do is teach by example. We can live ethically, simply because to do otherwise is to be a douchebag, and if enough of us do it, we can change the world.
The Separation of Corporation and State
Seriously, why didn't someone think of this sooner?
The separation of church and state is one of the biggest differences between the democratic countries of the west and nations where barbarism and cruelty are A-OK if they're done in the name of God. We've been smart enough not to let religion rule us, (for the most part) but in the process, we've let another body much more devious, much more insidious than blind faith rise up in our midst until it has grown so huge and so powerful that it threatens to destroy us all.
That body is corporate.
Now, I'm not the first person to advocate that we get strict controls on what corporations can and cannot do and on what (and who) they can influence, nor am I the first person to step out and say "Yes! We need a separation of corporate and state fully enforceable by law like the separation of church and state" but I am one of the thousands of people who are stepping out right now and letting corporate know that America is mad as hell, and we're not going to take it anymore. (Howard Beale FTW.)
The separation of corporate and state. Get out there, call people, email people, spread the word, talk to those in power, and make the idea a reality. There are more of us then there are of them, and numbers is all it takes to make a difference.
One Million Strong Movement on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfM9LI-oSbI
One Million Strong Movement on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=43811311612
Polling widget for your blogs: http://www.opednews.com/populum/pollembed.php?pid=98
More on One Million Strong http://www.chelseagreen.com/content/watch-separation-of-corporation-and-state-the-birth-of-the-28th-amendment-movement/
21 Tips for living a successful life
1. Stop watching T.V.
2. Read books that take opposing points of view and then draw your own conclusions based on the information provided. Never just assume that any one side is right.
3. Think before you buy. Ask yourself “Do I really need this?” I’m not advocating a minimalist approach– you might need beer or videogames to help you relieve stress, and that’s healthy, but if it’s something you don’t really need, skip it and save the money.
4. Ignore what other people say. Have the ovaries (or the balls) to do what you want regardless of how “normal” or “stupid” people say it is. If you know in your heart that it will work, keep at it, stay strong, and give your naysayers the bird.
5. Recognize fear mongering when you see it. Don’t let fear dictate your actions (or your spending.)
6. Do something creative everyday.
7. Think outside the box as often as you can. Always look for what’s beyond the next frontier.
8. Call people on their issues, but only if they’re hurting themselves or others. Being a jerk just for the sake of it is something everyone should try to avoid.
9. Be friendly. Shake everyone’s hand, and don’t wait to be introduced. Get out there and network, get to know people and forge connections. There really are usually less than six degrees of separation between you and someone who might just be able to save your life (or your butt) when things get tough down the road.
10. Don’t base your self value on how much money you make or what kind of possessions you have. True self worth is measured in how happy you are in the life you’re living. Discover what you really want out of life, then go out and get it. As long as you stay on that path, you are a success.
11. Put happiness first. If you’re unhappy, change.
12. Faith is meant to elevate and guide us, not control or limit us. No matter what you believe (even if you believe in nothing at all) never let it get in the way of doing what’s right.
13. Learn because you want to, not because you have to.
14. Exercise regularly, even if it just means taking a short walk once or twice a day. Even a little bit of exercise can make a world of difference in how happy and how productive you are!
15. Do what is right because it is right, not because others say it's right.
16. Don’t just live each day like it was your last, do everything fully and completely– push yourself for that extra mile and truly live. You never know what tomorrow will bring.
17. Listen to and try to accept everyone’s opinions and perspectives, even if you don’t agree with them. Stay open minded and take the time to research opinions and positions you don’t agree with, even if only to learn what the weak points in their arguments are.
18. Realize and embrace your limits, but try to push them, even if only just a little further.
19. Recognize failures and learn from them. Not everything that goes wrong is a failure, and we don’t always see the places where we’ve made mistakes, but learning to spot them and correct them in our future work is definitely a key to success.
20. Find someone who you see as being successful (according to your own definition) and study them. Don’t measure yourself by their standards, but look for things that they may be doing which could benefit you.
21. Never, ever, under any circumstances, give up on your pursuit of happiness.
The Balancing Act
I had an epiphany this morning I had to get down and out there. I'm not advocating anything here, and I know some will see this as common sense while others will see it as paranoia. Empower yourself, read it and judge how you feel. I know there's more to be said and looked at, so feel free to comment/suggest anything you feel should be added, changed, or re-evaluated. Knowledge is power. Always keep an open mind. This is just what my research has turned up, and god(dess/whoever) knows I'm just one person with one point of view.
The Balancing Act.
FACT: Big Business (i.e. Corporations/wealthy individuals) have a major effect on global affairs. (all that money!)
FACT: CFR (Council on Foreign Relations) Bilderberg, Trilateral Commission, and all levels of US. Gov't show interlinking connections (I.E. There is undeniable heavy corporate influence on the Gov't.)
FACT: The media, which is owned by (is) Corporate interests, is moderated by Gov't agencies that show heavy concentrations of people tied into corporate interest.
FACT: Most people in the United States watch T.V.
Here's what I think is going on:
Science has told us that there's no proof either way of magic, the soul, miracles, or anything else supernatural or otherworldly. No proof is the term they use, and it's a convenient loophole that allows an escape path if new evidence is found. But as society grows and gets harder to govern, more and more maverick scientists are finding that there is in fact proof for psychic phenomena, magic, miracles, incorporeal energy and the like.
A point of interest is that the supernatural phenomena that are generally dismissed are those relating to personal empowerment, that is, the ability to stand up and effect the world around you on a greater scale than yourself, the ability to perform miracles and modify the unseen. Who would benefit from a mass of people that believe they have no personal power? Those currently in power.
Who is currently in power? Many would say the biggest sway is held by Corporate, and yes, the big wigs do meet to discuss "secret" matters. (Bilderberg, Trilateral, etc.)
So who watches Science for unbiased results? The UCS (Union of Concerned Scientists) whose reputed purpose is to keep corporate influences from effecting the progress of science or the release of data to the public. Funny, since the UCS is greatly influenced by organizations like the CFR and long-standing corporate-linked families like the Rockefellers, The Rothschilds, and the Warburgs. So essentially, the same people who would influence science negatively are entrusted with watching to make sure it doesn't happen.
So what are we left with? There is still religion. Mainstream America (i.e. the bulk of the population) claims to be Christian. But if a person claims to be Christian and yet does not follow Christ's teachings, doesn't read the bible, doesn't believe they have the power to preform miracles as Jesus did (and Jesus said we all have the power to be like him) indeed has no inkling of these ideas at all, then where does their "faith" come from?
• Parents/relatives
• Society as a whole
• Church (how many people who claim they are Christian go to Church?)
• The Media.
Assuming that Parents/Relatives and Society are given religion and faith through these four routes, that leaves Church and The Media as the two remaining major influences present. Who controls the Media? Big Corporate. Again, we come back to cost/benefit for those in power. Church is a maverick variable– they are institutions not technically condoned by the bible that are effected by a conglomeration of Media programming and cater to the mainstream herd mentality (in order to keep the donations up) the latter of which is heavily effected by the Media.
This does not mean that Christianity or Christians are wrong or evil– True Christians, people who follow Christ's teachings, read the bible and seek out unmodified biblical documents to compare and contrast in their own minds are empowered individuals. They have choice, and they exercise it. So why Christianity and not, say, Judaism, or maybe Islam? Simple.
• It's widespread in the United States
• It's naturally xenophobic (i.e. One god before all others mentality)
• People accept it without question when it's doctrines are modified by people in power (Priests, Dream of the Rood, Pope, King James, Presidents)
What we have here in the United States is less Christianity, however, than a hybridized form of quasi-faith that people cling to for the following reasons:
• It's easy (Everybody's doing it.)
• It's the predominant religion of "Good Guys" in mainstream media today.
• It's all inclusive (Many people are Christian because they were "raised that way".)
There is nothing in here about personal empowerment. This new form of Christianity is in fact, anti-empowerment. It teaches us that Christ was an amazing man, but does not empower us to become like him. In fact, if you look closely, you will find that "Christian" has become more of a label than a religious bent– Science (as it stands now) predominantly discourages religion in all its forms, decrying anything "Miraculous" or "Magical" as false. Considering the influence science has over the minds of people (and the increasing correlation between a college education and a good job) and the division in society as a whole between "Science" and "God" (Rather like Republican and Democrat) we end up with three (predominantly) groups of people. Those who are effected solely by the media and this quasi religion (and decry science), those who are effected solely by the doctrines of science (and decry anything faith) and the biggest group of the three, those who stand in the middle, unsure, unwilling to completely trust either. None of these are empowered by their stance. They are instead bitterly divided against one another, each of the extremes with their own overwhelming, compelling evidences (where does this evidence ultimately come from?) rattling their cages on either side of the mainstream and scaring people into line. And so, the mainstream is put into a finely tuned balancing act.
By keeping mainstream society balanced where it is between faith and atheism, the individual's efficiency is increased. People have a god and a belief system to cling to when things get tough (i.e. through prayer) though science has cast enough doubt upon it (and the existence of god) to reduce it to a simple comfort mechanism. Sure, most people will say "I am Christian!" and defend the notion to the death no matter how "sinful" their lifestyle is. (this term is up for interpretation– many of the things that are considered sinful today were not so according to the teachings of Christ) but in the end, few people actually follow the teachings of Christ or show any sort of real "belief" in their faith beyond simply claiming it (it becomes a defense mechanism here – everybody's doing it, and it's safer to be part of the herd than apart from it)
So why the balancing act? Consider the fact that many philosophers have agreed that if it were absolutely proved that there is nothing "spiritual," no soul, nothing, that we are simply meat and bone and when we die we will be no more in any state, then society would be ungovernable. If this is your only life and then it's totally done, nothing, no more, who would want to be stuck where they are? If there are no consequences (except the physical – such as jail or death) then why not just go out and steal what you need, kill whoever gets in your way, run naked in the streets, break every commandment? It becomes "Why die sooner?" v.s. "Death comes anyway, have fun" very quickly.
So we have a god to keep the mainstream in check. When police and legal institutions aren't enough, we have someone unescapable at the end of the road in the terrifying domain of death that will judge you and commit you to an eternity of hellfire if you don't stand in line with everyone else. Now I'm not saying that there isn't such a god (if you want to believe in him) but I doubt his agenda (and measure of a good human being) is the same as Big Corporate's.
When these two ideas come together in the mainstream, we essentially end up with people confused and doubting that there is any sort of afterlife. This leads to carefully restrained atheist tendencies (i.e. impulsivity) without the chaotic nature of those who "know" there is nothing judging them. How does this manifest? Just look at what most people do their entire lives– They go to work, then they party, they forget about anything than what's right in front of them and just "go" until retirement (and/or death) claims them. They do not reach out and try to effect things, they are not empowered, and as any empowered individual will tell you, no form of prayer or ritual works unless you whole-heartedly know it will.
The Balancing Act.
FACT: Big Business (i.e. Corporations/wealthy individuals) have a major effect on global affairs. (all that money!)
FACT: CFR (Council on Foreign Relations) Bilderberg, Trilateral Commission, and all levels of US. Gov't show interlinking connections (I.E. There is undeniable heavy corporate influence on the Gov't.)
FACT: The media, which is owned by (is) Corporate interests, is moderated by Gov't agencies that show heavy concentrations of people tied into corporate interest.
FACT: Most people in the United States watch T.V.
Here's what I think is going on:
Science has told us that there's no proof either way of magic, the soul, miracles, or anything else supernatural or otherworldly. No proof is the term they use, and it's a convenient loophole that allows an escape path if new evidence is found. But as society grows and gets harder to govern, more and more maverick scientists are finding that there is in fact proof for psychic phenomena, magic, miracles, incorporeal energy and the like.
A point of interest is that the supernatural phenomena that are generally dismissed are those relating to personal empowerment, that is, the ability to stand up and effect the world around you on a greater scale than yourself, the ability to perform miracles and modify the unseen. Who would benefit from a mass of people that believe they have no personal power? Those currently in power.
Who is currently in power? Many would say the biggest sway is held by Corporate, and yes, the big wigs do meet to discuss "secret" matters. (Bilderberg, Trilateral, etc.)
So who watches Science for unbiased results? The UCS (Union of Concerned Scientists) whose reputed purpose is to keep corporate influences from effecting the progress of science or the release of data to the public. Funny, since the UCS is greatly influenced by organizations like the CFR and long-standing corporate-linked families like the Rockefellers, The Rothschilds, and the Warburgs. So essentially, the same people who would influence science negatively are entrusted with watching to make sure it doesn't happen.
So what are we left with? There is still religion. Mainstream America (i.e. the bulk of the population) claims to be Christian. But if a person claims to be Christian and yet does not follow Christ's teachings, doesn't read the bible, doesn't believe they have the power to preform miracles as Jesus did (and Jesus said we all have the power to be like him) indeed has no inkling of these ideas at all, then where does their "faith" come from?
• Parents/relatives
• Society as a whole
• Church (how many people who claim they are Christian go to Church?)
• The Media.
Assuming that Parents/Relatives and Society are given religion and faith through these four routes, that leaves Church and The Media as the two remaining major influences present. Who controls the Media? Big Corporate. Again, we come back to cost/benefit for those in power. Church is a maverick variable– they are institutions not technically condoned by the bible that are effected by a conglomeration of Media programming and cater to the mainstream herd mentality (in order to keep the donations up) the latter of which is heavily effected by the Media.
This does not mean that Christianity or Christians are wrong or evil– True Christians, people who follow Christ's teachings, read the bible and seek out unmodified biblical documents to compare and contrast in their own minds are empowered individuals. They have choice, and they exercise it. So why Christianity and not, say, Judaism, or maybe Islam? Simple.
• It's widespread in the United States
• It's naturally xenophobic (i.e. One god before all others mentality)
• People accept it without question when it's doctrines are modified by people in power (Priests, Dream of the Rood, Pope, King James, Presidents)
What we have here in the United States is less Christianity, however, than a hybridized form of quasi-faith that people cling to for the following reasons:
• It's easy (Everybody's doing it.)
• It's the predominant religion of "Good Guys" in mainstream media today.
• It's all inclusive (Many people are Christian because they were "raised that way".)
There is nothing in here about personal empowerment. This new form of Christianity is in fact, anti-empowerment. It teaches us that Christ was an amazing man, but does not empower us to become like him. In fact, if you look closely, you will find that "Christian" has become more of a label than a religious bent– Science (as it stands now) predominantly discourages religion in all its forms, decrying anything "Miraculous" or "Magical" as false. Considering the influence science has over the minds of people (and the increasing correlation between a college education and a good job) and the division in society as a whole between "Science" and "God" (Rather like Republican and Democrat) we end up with three (predominantly) groups of people. Those who are effected solely by the media and this quasi religion (and decry science), those who are effected solely by the doctrines of science (and decry anything faith) and the biggest group of the three, those who stand in the middle, unsure, unwilling to completely trust either. None of these are empowered by their stance. They are instead bitterly divided against one another, each of the extremes with their own overwhelming, compelling evidences (where does this evidence ultimately come from?) rattling their cages on either side of the mainstream and scaring people into line. And so, the mainstream is put into a finely tuned balancing act.
By keeping mainstream society balanced where it is between faith and atheism, the individual's efficiency is increased. People have a god and a belief system to cling to when things get tough (i.e. through prayer) though science has cast enough doubt upon it (and the existence of god) to reduce it to a simple comfort mechanism. Sure, most people will say "I am Christian!" and defend the notion to the death no matter how "sinful" their lifestyle is. (this term is up for interpretation– many of the things that are considered sinful today were not so according to the teachings of Christ) but in the end, few people actually follow the teachings of Christ or show any sort of real "belief" in their faith beyond simply claiming it (it becomes a defense mechanism here – everybody's doing it, and it's safer to be part of the herd than apart from it)
So why the balancing act? Consider the fact that many philosophers have agreed that if it were absolutely proved that there is nothing "spiritual," no soul, nothing, that we are simply meat and bone and when we die we will be no more in any state, then society would be ungovernable. If this is your only life and then it's totally done, nothing, no more, who would want to be stuck where they are? If there are no consequences (except the physical – such as jail or death) then why not just go out and steal what you need, kill whoever gets in your way, run naked in the streets, break every commandment? It becomes "Why die sooner?" v.s. "Death comes anyway, have fun" very quickly.
So we have a god to keep the mainstream in check. When police and legal institutions aren't enough, we have someone unescapable at the end of the road in the terrifying domain of death that will judge you and commit you to an eternity of hellfire if you don't stand in line with everyone else. Now I'm not saying that there isn't such a god (if you want to believe in him) but I doubt his agenda (and measure of a good human being) is the same as Big Corporate's.
When these two ideas come together in the mainstream, we essentially end up with people confused and doubting that there is any sort of afterlife. This leads to carefully restrained atheist tendencies (i.e. impulsivity) without the chaotic nature of those who "know" there is nothing judging them. How does this manifest? Just look at what most people do their entire lives– They go to work, then they party, they forget about anything than what's right in front of them and just "go" until retirement (and/or death) claims them. They do not reach out and try to effect things, they are not empowered, and as any empowered individual will tell you, no form of prayer or ritual works unless you whole-heartedly know it will.
