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BrotherIvan

(9,126 posts)
67. I absolutely hear what you are saying
Sat Jan 18, 2014, 07:05 PM
Jan 2014

And agree in many ways. But I think the key is in your post itself.

Because we have built our lives in such a way that we are dependent for EVERYTHING from other people, with the highest being a paycheck that the boss man wields like a cudgel, we are almost becoming infantile in our ability to take care of ourselves. As a child of suburbia and now and urban dweller, I often feel this acutely. We have put ourselves into little boxes, and now we must all tend our little boxes separately. What if that changed? What if there was a sense of mutual support instead of charity? What if we all praised each other for our good works instead of our possessions? What if Made in the USA was the highest designer label? It's just a priority shift.

I often think about the non-compliance strikes that were part of Gandhi's strategy against English colonial rule. Many people were willing to lose their lives or be beaten. They were living in extreme poverty, but were willing to strike because they knew they had to. For themselves and for future generations. Because they were tired of living like slaves.

It worked. They were able to topple the greatest empire the world had ever known. Granted, it hasn't been all roses, but it was a great victory over an overwhelming force. Ditto the civil rights movement. I can be done. The map has already been made.

We're so far away from being self-sufficient and I try my best to rectify that but it takes time to be able to do this. But I do feel a sense of pride when I can make something myself I would have to buy. I often hear my friends complain of all the activities they need to take their children to. I ask them if they have thought about making a garden instead or building things or any number of activities which not only educate but help the family as well. We're losing all of our skills. I wonder about retired people who are great gardeners who share their produce. Or turning an unused back yard into farm land. I know there are organizations working on this. I think there is a way to build community that helps us all in so many ways.

Like I said, I don't have all the answers, but it is definitely an interesting conversation.

minority of poor? PowerToThePeople Jan 2014 #1
I think the majority are in the middle. redqueen Jan 2014 #7
Bell curve? PowerToThePeople Jan 2014 #9
I don't see an image. redqueen Jan 2014 #10
hmmm. PowerToThePeople Jan 2014 #12
Aha. Thanks. redqueen Jan 2014 #26
Very good observation! JusticeForAll Jan 2014 #20
The RW tells them they too can be rich so support the interests of the rich Armstead Jan 2014 #14
Yep, exactly. redqueen Jan 2014 #30
Yeah, you have no idea how many conservatives I've talked to that were barely getting by who Rozlee Jan 2014 #44
But if you THINK you're wealthy, does it really matter if you're not?? 7962 Jan 2014 #46
This message was self-deleted by its author El_Johns Jan 2014 #28
There is still a middle class -- but its getting smaller Armstead Jan 2014 #13
The middle class is 1/3 of the population. airplaneman Jan 2014 #45
The point is the same -- It Sucks Armstead Jan 2014 #49
inequality…. handmade34 Jan 2014 #48
Pretty f'ing frightening Armstead Jan 2014 #50
Worse, the effective media propaganda campaign has Warren Stupidity Jan 2014 #2
Yep. Convince people that being poor is shameful, and it means you're bad. redqueen Jan 2014 #8
yep. That is a huge part of the problem Armstead Jan 2014 #16
"we ... support a set of values" frazzled Jan 2014 #3
We all need some glitzy distraction...but it has gotten way out of whack Armstead Jan 2014 #17
You have captured my feeling exactly BrotherIvan Jan 2014 #24
Yeah, even education has become about making money frazzled Jan 2014 #36
Wow, I wish we could have this discussion over coffee or drinks! BrotherIvan Jan 2014 #57
I opt for drinks! frazzled Jan 2014 #60
Me too! BrotherIvan Jan 2014 #62
Your post articulates the way I've always felt..... llmart Jan 2014 #42
I will check out that book BrotherIvan Jan 2014 #58
I agree that sometimes it takes a tragedy to wake some people up...... llmart Jan 2014 #71
Hey, this guy is a commie! ^^ Cirque du So-What Jan 2014 #4
The "natural order of things"! bigmonkey Jan 2014 #5
That's why I used it Cirque du So-What Jan 2014 #6
I think it works the other way too, actually. bigmonkey Jan 2014 #11
Speaking of bad Economics classes... Cirque du So-What Jan 2014 #19
That's actually a pretty good label for what we have today -- Sociopathic Capitalism Armstead Jan 2014 #25
Yes Conmrade Armstead Jan 2014 #23
"But we don't bother to even really try." ChisolmTrailDem Jan 2014 #15
I'm going to disagree on that one. davidthegnome Jan 2014 #22
We're cowards because we allowed it to come to this Armstead Jan 2014 #27
I'm sorry to be rude and jump in, but I disagree with that idea BrotherIvan Jan 2014 #35
good post Armstead Jan 2014 #37
It's not rude to say what you think. davidthegnome Jan 2014 #43
I absolutely hear what you are saying BrotherIvan Jan 2014 #67
Not long ago... davidthegnome Jan 2014 #70
Damn, I've had the same dreams BrotherIvan Jan 2014 #72
Don't forget one big part of the Gilded Age of the late 1800's... Wounded Bear Jan 2014 #18
I question whether a truly 'liberal media' ever existed Cirque du So-What Jan 2014 #21
It's always been a mixed bag Armstead Jan 2014 #29
The whole concept of a 'liberal media' is just the RWers working the refs... Wounded Bear Jan 2014 #31
Certainly, but also remember the biggest part of all was played in DC. With very few exceptions, Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #61
Who Stole The American Dream cantbeserious Jan 2014 #32
Republicans do what Jesus tells them, and RW media and the pastors they own valerief Jan 2014 #33
That's one of the big mistakes liberals made Armstead Jan 2014 #38
Pro-wealth, pro-establishment conservatives ... dawg Jan 2014 #54
les mise'rables heaven05 Jan 2014 #34
Yeah but don't you realize Christie closed a bridge? SHRED Jan 2014 #39
I tell Right Wingers that Reagan believed in VOLUNTARY wealth redistribution.... Spitfire of ATJ Jan 2014 #40
Yeah. It sure didn't go into payroll. Enthusiast Mar 2015 #75
I like to tell people to picture the guy busting his ass getting his boss a bunch of new business... Spitfire of ATJ Mar 2015 #77
That is not an entirely inaccurate picture. Enthusiast Mar 2015 #78
"Shark Tank" has got people all over America saying, "Why don't YOU do that???"... Spitfire of ATJ Mar 2015 #79
"as a nation we either passively accept or actively support a set of values and policies that are abelenkpe Jan 2014 #41
watched "Wolf of Wall Street" last night. mountain grammy Jan 2014 #47
Distractions gulliver Jan 2014 #51
I'm a little confused by your response Armstead Jan 2014 #64
It's a tough issue. gulliver Jan 2014 #68
gotta paint the 2% as the REAL takers. the vampire squids. pansypoo53219 Jan 2014 #52
Very thoughtful. kentuck Jan 2014 #53
Hi Kentuck Armstead Jan 2014 #65
Free trade and improved automation make labor less valuable. dawg Jan 2014 #55
EXACTLY !!! - K & R !!! WillyT Jan 2014 #56
No McKinley or Roosevelt on the horizon. All effective opposition has been swept away, Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #59
Yes, the lack of awareness and concern is baffling Armstead Jan 2014 #66
Unfortunately, I came to the same conclusion. Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #73
I guess one could try and live as simply as possible, but Armstead Jan 2014 #74
Humans are not rational animals so much as they are animals that rationalize n/t Fumesucker Jan 2014 #63
In the Socialist Progressive Group TBF Jan 2014 #69
I'll tip, but I won't say 'all'. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Mar 2015 #76
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