Systemic Failure

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Thursday December 15, 2011 · 10:19 AM PST

2011/12/15 · 10:19

So how do we solve our economic and government problems in the USA? First, a disclaimer that I do not understand the complete historical perspective of how we got here, but I am learning enough to know that that the flaws are systemic. It seems that any solution I have heard from our Congress are fixes for the symptoms. I like to compare this approach to how our current health care system, which I like to refer to as our disease management system, handles health problems. It seems that the take a pill response is the answer to our ailments. This masks symptoms but does not get to the root of the problem. When somebody is bleeding internally, a band-aid will not stop this. It ultimately requires surgery to find the source of the bleeding. Our system is bleeding internally. Congress and other leaders are suggesting band-aids to fix this, and then fighting over which band-aid to use, the square one or the rectangle one. This is absolutely ludicrous and a waste of time. I have no faith that anyone of our political leaders, either individually or collectively can solve the problems we are facing. Our problems are systemic, and as long as band-aids are being offered as solutions to hemorrhaging, nothing will change. Poverty, unemployment, homelessness,foreclosure, rising health care costs, overcrowded prisons, a failing post office, a failing education system and on and on are all symptoms of a system that isn't working, much like a body whose systems shut down. Corporatism and the desire of some to make as much money as possible at the expense of everyone and everything else, has driven humanity to rise up and fight for a better world. There are many among us who do not get it. But those of us that do have to try to hang on to a belief that collectively we can change our course. For me that is difficult some days. I thank the Occupiers, who I fully support, for at least changing the conversation, and standing up for fairness and equality, and helping us to try to maintain civility in the midst of crisis and chaos. I am trying to hang on to the notion that as more people understand the magnitude of this human crisis, they will join in the effort to rise up for change. Of course, change begins within first. We can not change what another says or does, but if we change what we say and do we can have an affect on others. Let's not let the poison of fear permeate us. That is what others in power want, so we will do anything to save ourselves. It is my humble opinion that we are the only ones that can save ourselves.

What is Wrong with the Republicans?

rebelwithacause

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Thursday December 01, 2011 · 5:52 PM PST

2011/12/01 · 17:52

I can not take it anymore. What is the matter with the Republican party? They have no idea what Americans are thinking and feeling, and they probably don't care. We are reaping the rewards (foreclosure, deregulation, tax cuts for the wealthy, the cost of the wars) of the Bush administration via record federal deficits and record corporate profits. Yet the Republicans want to eliminate 200,000 jobs in order to vote to extend the payroll tax cuts for the middle class. These people are so out of touch. This country is self-imploding and the Congress is doing nothing. We need to go to Washington D.C. and stay there until they listen, or we could just stop buying, stop driving, stop using electricity. Maybe we could do both? What will it take to turn this country around? I am so grateful for Occupy. I want the changes to occur yesterday. This is just a rant, as I figure I can do that here. On a good note, I am excited to learn about the Peoples Convention in Florida, Dec 9-11, where Florida occupiers will come together for some State solutions. This will be a beginning here in Florida. Thanks for listening.

What do Those Occupiers Want?

rebelwithacause

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Wednesday November 16, 2011 · 7:48 AM PST

2011/11/16 · 07:48

It doesn’t take rocket science to know that planet earth is in peril. Resources abound yet millions go hungry. Wars are being waged in the name of democracy yet, do you see the winners? Why doesn’t anybody know how to fix it? The question is not how do we fix it? The question is what will our new world look like? Nobody has the answers because we have not arrived at them yet.

The Occupy movement is a coming together of people who know something is terribly wrong. If you understand this then you understand what Occupy is all about. Certainly there are some common themes running through the movement, such as get money out of politics, fair taxes, electoral reform, and Wall Street regulation. These are the symptoms of a much bigger problem. It is no surprise that many are asking, “What do those occupiers want anyway?”

We want a world where people live in harmony. We want a world where resources are shared. We want a world where we collectively take care of each other. We want a world where war is not an option. We want a world where if you become ill, you don’t lose everything you worked hard for your entire life. We want a world where children are taught how to be human. We want a world where our differences don’t define us.

Is this asking for too much? I think not. “We are the ones we have been waiting for.” This has been said by many, including the Hopi Elders and Alice Walker. This is our moment. We are all members of the human race, regardless of the labels that try to divide us as black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Hindu, Christian, Jewish, atheist, socialist, Republican, Democrat, rich or poor.

Let’s work together. Let’s find our common ground, rather than accepting our labels of division.

Nobody knows exactly what our future looks like because we only have today. Seize the moment. Do you seek truth, justice, inner peace, and balance with nature? Or do you absorb what is being fed to you by the mainstream media? Do you take responsibility for your own actions? Or do you blame others for our current crisis? What are your intentions today?

If we all live intentionally to make this world a better place for future generations, it will be a better place. We have to desire it, think it, live it and speak it. We must be the change we wish to see in the world.
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rebelwithacause

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Friday November 11, 2011 · 7:30 AM PST

2011/11/11 · 07:30

rebelwithacause

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Thursday November 10, 2011 · 10:06 AM PST

2011/11/10 · 10:06

I attended a teach-in last night sponsored by Moveon. There was a power point presentation about how the lies of Wall Street have been perpetrated again and again in the past. There was also lively discussion with people sharing deeply about the angst they are feeling about the state of our nation, and the world. It seems that I have been living in a bubble until now, at least regarding the workings of our money system. I thought I was an intelligent being. I had no idea just how crooked this economic system was until Occupy Wall Street sprang into life. The more I learn the more angry I become, but the more motivated to do something about it. Living off the grid would be the ultimate freedom, yet I like many Americans fell into the American Dream, and have perhaps lived above my means, though at times out of necessity have had to charge to survive. Can't sell a house worth less than is owed on it. Going backward does no good. We can learn from the mistakes of the past. Because history repeats itself, we have an opportunity to try again. This crisis, as difficult and scary as it is, may be the very catalyst that propels us humans forward, to create a better way, sustainable systems that work for the common good. Systems not based on greed but on need. I have never been an optimist but I am a visionary and have always taken on a worldview. As I participate in my local Occupy Citrus movement, I am still occupied with the whole of humanity. My heart compels me to continue to educate myself, and others about the truth. The question is how did we get here? The answer is not so simple, and yet I know that together we can address the question: Where do we go from here? I do not believe in violence and never have, so it is my hope that this movement continues to evolve and affect change through the exchange of ideas and non-violent actions across the globe.

Occupy Your Mind

rebelwithacause

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Sunday November 06, 2011 · 12:20 PM PST

2011/11/06 · 12:20

I saw this the other day on facebook, Occupy your mind, change begins within. We all want to change the current system of oppression. Many of us want to bring it down and rebuild. But true change begins in each and every heart. At the daily Kos I am probably preaching to the choir, but I will continue anyhow, especially because I finally get to post after waiting a week!! When we say we want to change the world, we mean it, but when we try there seems to be so many issues to tackle. I have been involving myself in conversations on many of the Occupy forums. There are so many great ideas it is hard to keep up. I have learned so much from so many. I keep coming back to my original statement of occupy your mind, change begins within. The world is what you create each and every day for yourself, which in turn affects those around you. We are all interconnected, and can't escape the fact that what we do, say, and think will affect others. What is so awesome about the occupy movement is that it has once again sprung into action those of us whose consciousness is elevated, while it has raised the consciousness of many others. There are many among us who still have no clue what this movement is all about. It doesn't matter. We keep educating, we keep occupying, we keep demonstrating, we keep modeling, and we stay together. "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead.

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Systemic Failure

What is Wrong with the Republicans?

What do Those Occupiers Want?

We are All Connected

How the 1% Crashed the Economy

Occupy Your Mind