Who's drivin' this bus? 'cause we're headed in the wrong direction.

[astonamous]

The America that I learned about in school doesn't seem to exist any more. Somehow we have lost our grasp of the simple principles of freedoms and security, of prosperity and equality, of progressive thinking and leadership and of opportunity for those on the lowest step of our society to be pulled up and given a chance to “make it”. Our future seems tragically backwards and bleak. I would think that by the 21st century we would have our priorities straight… at all times aiming for a better future for all Americans and not just for a select few. The “American Dream” seems to have turned into a nightmare for a majority of Americans, even those that don’t know it yet. Kids are going to bed hungry and sick; they aren’t receiving an education consistent of a great nation. People are having to work 2 and 3 jobs just to scrape by and then lose what little they have because they get sick and can’t pay the medical bills. Our seniors are deciding on a daily basis between medications they need to stay alive and food. And yet we are spending trillions of our tax dollars on “freeing” Iraqi’s from a brutal dictator.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want someone who has made it big to have to share all of their wealth with everyone that isn’t as fortunate. What I am talking about is not having so many monopolies in things like energy, communications and technology. Only a few people own all the media outlets in this country? That isn’t about wealth; it’s about power and control. And those larger than necessary corporations need to invest in our (everybody's) future in these two specific areas to insure a secure, prosperous and free future:

1. The environment – A progressive approach to protecting the resources that we must all share should be a priority. Every human on this planet needs clean air to breath and clean water to drink. We are breathing in more and more toxins, increasing the number and the severity of lung diseases. The earth’s water is recycled over and over again, but we are polluting it beyond the point that nature can treat it. Our food sources, I believe, has become toxic because of the over produced, mass housed, poison fed animals and chemically treated fruits and vegetables. The manipulation of Mother Nature’s gifts will leave us with a dead planet if we survive our own poisons that long.

2. Our children - The future of any species is in its ability to propagate. Our children are our future. Educating them in technologically advanced, clean, safe, progressive, creative and in a balanced curriculum school system would produce forward thinkers, creative and curious adults. Our children need safe, warm and healthy living conditions with guaranteed health care and at minimum two years of secondary education. The investment made in providing these things for our kids would give America future citizens that could solve critical issues in ways we can only dream of.

One of the things that Americans have enjoyed throughout its history is the free exchange of information and ideas. With the current networking of people from around the world via the internet, we should be able to solve all the problems that come from lack of understanding others and of ignorance. The internet has made the world so much smaller by bringing people together that wouldn’t normally find each other. But for some reason, we are not using it to our advantage. We are still splitting off into our various little groups. Can you imagine the war protesters in the 60’s and 70’s with the advantage of instant messages and internet communities? And yet we are in the fourth year of an illegal invasion of Iraq and looking to do the same in Iran. We are allowing our freedoms to be taken away piece by piece and we are allowing our government to lie to us over and over. In a few short years, global warming has gone from being something of science fiction to being at a critical point of no return. Why can’t we get it together? Instead of finding the least little bit of difference that we have with each other, it would be to our advantage to look at what we have in common and mass together.

Instead of forcing the “rapture” wouldn’t God want us to do everything in our power to save ourselves and our world? Isn’t murder a sin against God? Isn’t suicide?

[EstimatedProphet]

1. K&R

[AirmensMom]

2. Good post, astonamous.

:kick:

[astonamous]

3. Thanks for the Kick! n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. kick

[opihimoimoi]

5. The Drivers all failed driving school but somehow stole the paperwork

to get the licenses....but look at the bus....its all damaged and outta oil and almost outta diesel

[Shine]

6. Great post. You raise excellent and thought-provoking points.

I agree with you that by collectively focusing on our differences we do ourselves a huge disservice. We are much better served by remembering our Common Ground and Common Humanity. Let's see our connection, rather than our separation. It's all about perspective, imo.

I don't have any clear answers to the questions you raise, regarding WHY we are in this space.

My only answer is to Let My Life Speak, through my personal actions, relationships, ways I communicate in the world...

I am committed to holding a Higher Vision of what's possible for my life, for my community, for my country, for the planet...I don't want to get sucked into a vortex of Fear, which is all too easy in thes dark times. Instead, I personally choose to call forth Love, Trust and Hope.

That's the best I can do, in this Moment.

Namaste.

[astonamous]

8. It has always seemed easier

to find common ground with people.

Almost daily I am faced with people that don't agree with everything I believe...hell, I live in Utah, but instead of focusing on the differences, I find that what we have in common can open up communication and even when we disagree, we can at least learn from each other and embrace the ideas we agree on.

Almost every one I have ever discussed public education with agrees with most of my thoughts, and yet no one is pushing the ideas forward. But I haven't given up that the current broke-down education system we have can be fixed. Not without spending money, but we can redirect what we are spending on creating new enemies and building up arms to protect us from these supposed enemies.

It is easy to do the right thing...it's hard work to lie, cheat and steal.

Trudy

[riona]

7. it does seem like we're going around in circles

people run for office. they give speeches saying what needs to be done (many of the issues you discussed). we believe they will go to washington and do what they promised. somehow, once they get there the disconnect begins. we write letters, send petitions, make telephone calls - nothing. and you are right, we haven't been effective - we're lacking the fire. we don't have anyone willing to lead in a massive demonstration for change. it takes someone with the time, dedication and the talent to get people off their butts and into the streets.

[astonamous]

9. We are too afraid...

If a date and time were set and a plan made and the word passed to everyone we know and all the websites we post on, that everyone would stop what they are doing at a given point and walk out into the streets all across the country...we could stop this country in it's tracks, but it won't happen because we are afraid that we will be standing out there all alone.

Trudy