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Martian
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# Posted: 14 Jan 2013 01:24pm
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MJW, You are right, I am an optimist! It comes from my core beliefs that everything in life is temporary, we have the power to control most things in our lives, and that when we die, our soul/spirit continues on. Without these beliefs, I'd have probably died a long time ago. Why live if you feel that what is will always be, that I am powerless to do anything, and life, itself, is meaningless? In my life, I've been miserable, broke, and in immediate danger of dying. But, I'm still here. I'm happy. I'm not broke. And, the likelihood of my dying in the next few minutes are pretty slim. Who wouldn't be optimistic after going through some of the experiences I've had?
I appreciated your article. However, I reject the inevitability of democracy's downfall. Democracies fail because the population gets lazy in policing their representatives, IMO. You may have noted the article states that ancient Greece, who had a true democracy, didn't fail; it was overrun by a stronger neighbor. If we get closer to a true democracy, I doubt either Canada or Mexico or any other country could overrun us.
There is a group, to which I belong, called Rootstrikers. Their premise is that we, the people, have lost control of our political leadership because we allow politicians to accept money from corporations and other non-voting entities. If they had to rely on us for their campaigns, they would listen to us. To correct this anomaly, they propose $50 worth of vouchers be issued to every eligible, registered voter. The voter can assign their vouchers to any candidate they desire, but if the candidate takes outside money, they cannot take the vouchers. It would create a pool of about $6Billion dollars for the candidates to compete for. That's more money than all the PAC's and private donations, combined, took in during the last election cycle. Everybody pays at least $50 in some form of taxes; so its not taking money from one group to give to another, and in the grand scheme, it is a drop in the Federal budget bucket, and may also lead to more involvement by voters. I give it as an example of an idea that might work to take back our Government.
Tom
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MJW
Member
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# Posted: 14 Jan 2013 01:44pm - Edited by: MJW
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Tom,
I agree wholeheartedly with the spirit of which you speak, honestly I do. If you knew my story you would know that I, too, have overcome great obstacles in my life and it is no small miracle that I did not long ago, give up on everything.
I just don't see those of us that believe in the basic principals you speak of being able to stem the tide of the ones in this country that don't feel the same way we do and instead of beating a dead horse, I have started to change the things I can about MY life. That is one area I can do something about.
Becoming more self sufficient and moving to a lifestyle that can be sustained no matter what the coming days will bring. That is my focus now.
Am I a prepper? A SHTF, end of days prophet? No, I don't think so. I am just a regular guy that pays attention to what is going on around him. I play the odds and the way I see it, the odds aren't looking good for us right now.
As for us being taken over by a close neighbor, in those times the world was a much larger place. It is quite small now and I don't think that the neighbor we would have to worry about now would literally have to be so close in physical distance. China practically owns us now and the more we continue to spend, the more our outgo exceeds our ingo...well...you get the picture.
We are outnumbered, my friend. The takers now outnumber the makers.
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trollbridge
Member
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# Posted: 14 Jan 2013 01:52pm
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Tom, ah ha! I wasn't too far off when I suggested that you spend some time trying to persuade people to vote was I?
It does sound like a plan that could work!
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Martian
Member
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# Posted: 14 Jan 2013 01:53pm
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Quoting: MJW I have started to change the things I can about MY life. That is one area I can do something about.
That is all I would like for everybody to do! The collective "we" is made up of the individual. When the 'I's' change, the 'we' will change.
Tom
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TomChum
Member
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# Posted: 14 Jan 2013 02:07pm - Edited by: TomChum
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Quoting: Martian However, I reject the inevitability of democracy's downfall. Democracies fail because the population gets lazy in policing their representatives, IMO.
Democracies can fail when the people can no longer get truthful information to use as a basis for voting. We're in that stage now. We have news paidfor by political action comittees (and industries contracting the PACs). Many people don't even care that it's not true. They look at our country like its a football game and as long as they can "use" their news agains the other team that's all they want. Even without regards to how it affects their own lives. That's exactly how the PACs are playing them.
People who support transparency are our only hope. Somehow we have to find out WHO is paying for our "news".
The voucher idea is a good idea, but then rather than buying the candidates directly, the PACs will direct their massive marketing (and paidfor newscasts) towards convincing the people to award their vouchers to the candidates that they would have bought (in the old system). PACs will have to change over to manipulating that new system.
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Rossman
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# Posted: 14 Jan 2013 02:07pm
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Martian, have you ever watched Idiocracy? if not, I suggest it.
That is actually what is happening to the world today. The people who actually are educated and care are being steadily outnumbered and outvoted by the majority of people who don't really know anything except the talking points radio and tv wants them to believe and repeat blindly.
This latter, less educated group, gets their positions delivered to them conveniently on radio, newspapers, and tv, and the message is coming right from our corporate masters. We will never be able to "help" these people become useful, smart, voting citizens because that takes a lot of work and people by their nature are inherently lazy.
The other problem is that to dumb people, smart people just sound crazy. So even when we try and help people understand that their position is actually bad for them, it just sounds like madness to them.
Lastly, just because the above all seems rather grim doesn't mean we should just roll over and die, or just completely give up on everything. I'm not suggesting anything of the sort. I'm merely suggesting to disconnect from this obviously insane system as much as possible to prevent repeated/continued frustration with a system that just keeps going further and further off the rails.
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Martian
Member
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# Posted: 14 Jan 2013 02:41pm
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Quoting: Rossman I'm merely suggesting to disconnect from this obviously insane system as much as possible to prevent repeated/continued frustration with a system that just keeps going further and further off the rails.
Call me Don Quixote, and point me towards the windmills!
Tom
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bwnewt
Member
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# Posted: 8 Feb 2013 07:57am
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I got kinda pushed into running for the state legislature in Washington. Though I came close to beating a long time incumbent I won't do it again and still work behind the scenes. I lost my job recently in part from my police chief who is of the other party and thankfully have a great case to expose the truth, clear my good name, and yes get quite a settlement along with my job. In the meantime I am building my first small cabin on property I own so I can sustain how long this battle will take and will be asking lots of questions around here. I have been reading a ton and there is great info here
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Martian
Member
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# Posted: 8 Feb 2013 08:44am
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Good luck.
I still have people mention the debate I had with the Congressman as I go about my daily routines. The surprising part is how many express agreement with my positions. The conversation usually starts, "I know its not popular around here, but I agreed with a lot of what you said." My worries about being blacklisted have faded.
Tom
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Dillio187
Member
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# Posted: 8 Feb 2013 10:26am - Edited by: Dillio187
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I've spent some time the last couple of days at the MN state capital sitting in on hearings about some anti-Constitutional bills that the majority party is considering (some Google will get you details if you want). I was thrilled to see the turnout, the main meeting room was full, and 2 overflow rooms were full, and people were out in the hallways just showing their disapproval of the measures, it was probably 30:1 against these bills. It gave me hope for this state, and it made me feel good to get involved.
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