It started with a diary by Cheeselord and the frustration of months of Republican seemingly never-ending outrages. The best ideas are simple ones that elicit an "Ahhhh....why didn't I think of that!" So, my personal' Had Enough?' Campaign started, simply, with a few bills.
Here's a picture of some sample bills courtesy of blueyedace:
http://members.aol.com/... and you can read the earlier diaries here: one, two, three.
Join me below the fold.
Listen to Monica, an 8 year old. I gave Monica's mother a bill as a tip at the car wash. Monica was there with her mother because she cannot afford child care. As I was to learn, that's not the only thing she can't afford. Waiting for my car while sitting on the bench, Monica sat down and began chatting with me. I offered her some gum. She began to talk about her favorite places to eat. Finally, she got to her `for reals' favorite; McDonalds. Typical kid, I thought, but Monica proceeded to tell me the reason she likes McDonalds so much. "It's because they wrap up the food. That way, when we get it from the dumpster out back, it is still clean."
So here in America, an 8 year old has to dig in McDonalds dumpster to find food.
I don't know the rest of Monica's story or her mother's. I did ask her if she lived nearby. Her only response was that they didn't have their apartment anymore. I suspect they are homeless.
My car arrives and I don't know what to do to help Monica and her mother. I don't know what to do. I called Monica over and asked her if she would help me with a special project. She smiled broadly, "Sure," she with the anticipation and eagerness only an 8 year old can display. Will you take this and give it your mom and ask her to spend it someplace for me? She took the marked twenty and ran off to show her mom. I drove away.
Harold is a 68 year old man who works at the gas station where I get gas. He waves at me every time I drive in and sometimes we chat. Harold moves slowly, he doesn't seem well much of the time. I'm not sure exactly what he does; I see him tending the flower planters and carrying cases of soda to the building on occasion. Once in awhile he cleans my windshield while I fill up the tank. I tip him when he does. Seeing the `Had Enough?' bill last week, he laughed, loudly. "I sure as hell have, and I've been a Republican for a long time, but not anymore. My wife and I both have to work. She's got a bad back and should be able to get disability but they won't give it to her and it costs more than we can afford for the doctors. That's not right. That Bush is a crook. Don't you worry, I'll pass this around."
I figure that since I started about 9 days ago, I've passed out about 300 "Had Enough?' bills, mostly ones, in my community. I use more ones now than I ever have, just because of this. I get asked about the negative reactions, and I just don't get that many. I get stories likes the ones above, smiles and nods, and occasional blank stares. Very rarely I get looks of displeasure. I just smile when that happens, and move on, saying nothing.
The beauty of this campaign is that the bills get out there no matter what kind of reaction I get, and even the people who disagree with me are usually forced to keep the bills circulating. THAT thought really makes me smile.
Fueled by the initial frustration, it was quickly and quietly transformed into something else. As I listened to the stories of those who took the bills, I was being transformed. Amazing. The simple stories from my neighbors, my community, have transformed me.
I am reminded of the idea of `preferential option for the poor.
Coming from Catholic social teaching, this concept expresses a special concern in distributive justice for poor and vulnerable persons. The "poor" includes but is not limited to those who are economically deprived. The principle is rooted in the biblical notion of justice, where God calls us to be advocates for the voiceless and the powerless among us (e.g., "the widows and the orphans"), and where right relationships are restored. Regardless of the reasons, those who are in any way deprived or who are particularly vulnerable have a special moral claim on the community (including its institutions and organizations.
Considered as an ethical principle, distributive justice refers to what society or a larger group owes its individual members in proportion to: 1) the individual's needs, contribution and responsibility; 2) the resources available to the society or organization (market considerations would be included under this, as well as other financial considerations); and 3) the society's or organization's responsibility to the common good.
The principle of distributive justice implies that society has a duty to the individual in serious need and that all individuals have duties to others in serious need. In decisions regarding the allocation of resources, such as rationing decisions, the duty of society is not diminished because of the person's status or nature of illness. Everyone is entitled to equal access to basic care necessary for living in a human way.
These are the kind of values we should be talking about when we hear all the talk about values voting. I love this paragraph:
"Regardless of the reasons, those who are in any way deprived or who are particularly vulnerable have a special moral claim on the community (including its institutions and organizations."
DailyKos has inspired me to work at changing the systems and structures that keep the voiceless and powerless in that position. Monica and Harold inspire me to keep passing my "Had Enough?" bills.
Join me. You'll be glad you did.