Unedited Rant: the message I sent to my Representatives through MoveOn.org

I've been paying attention to both sides of this argument and can only say that this is obviously just a ploy to eliminate yet another part of the security net we have in this country for people that need assistance. The true purpose of being a "united" nation is that we care for one another- especially in tough times-and this administration is intent on destroying our ability to do that, as previous ones have as well. Further, it is not just the ability to shelter our weak, weary, poor, huddled masses, but taking away the will to do so by making it into an oppositional race to see who will survive: "us, or them". We cannot claim to be a civilized, higher-order society if we fail to provide for the basic needs of those in the society. No one is perfect, and no one can do it all, or all alone; this is the basis for clinging together, the origin of culture and social interaction. We have an obligation to do these things, and that obligation is all the more imperative when we are really caring for our own welfare. All "social programs" do this, in one way or another, either directly or indirectly, and Social Security one of the few that is direct. We are paying for our "own" retirement already, we don't need to have a 'personal fund' to do it, my money pays for those who raised my fellow co-contributors, and we are raising the workers of tomorrow who will 'pay' for us. Money is not important, only people are important, the system works as it sits now. Please engage these ridiculous allegations now before people begin to believe the rhetoric, and help stop yet another mistake in the making by this administration! Thank you for your time.

A Dreaming Man...

It is essential for people to believe that dreams can come true...not in the childish, innocent sense of meeting ones' True Love or making the cheer-leading squad (although there is nothing wrong with that sort, either). Look at Dr. M. L. King, Jr.-the first thing that comes to mind is probably that excellent speech he made about-what was it, ice cream, right? No, he spoke of a very noble and passionate aspiration-how many of you are reciting it to yourself right now? How well known is this one simple and important dream? Yet people don't talk about having dreams in their lives! Isn't that something wrong with us, rather than something admirable? Since what time is it better to not have a dream, hope, some desire to see fulfilled? Never, that time should not ever exist! Things can be as we want them to be, they can be as they should be. Better, better for all of us, but we are the ones that need to make that happen, not anyone else, and certainly not by sitting on our asses, either! The ideals we hold are more than just meaningless fantasy, the restrictions and rules we place around ourselves are the meaningless things. While the truth can be complicated, not always-sometimes it is a simple, elegant thing staring us in the kisser. Sometimes it seems difficult because of our own problems and shortcomings, sometimes it is because others make it tough for us. Don't let others decide what you will do or think, don't let them win!

Belief In a Better Way :)

The pervasive belief that things cannot be as we envision or desire them to be-that these ideals are just fantasies-is a meaningless restriction. The truth is that it can be simple, plain, easily-understood, and not just the messy, complicated, intricate thing we've been lead to believe. Things can be better, we should not lose our idealism, our 'innocence', if you prefer. We can be realists (and even be happy) and still work for, and desire, better lives. There is no rule that says we cannot enjoy what we have and still want a better world. Isn't it better to want something, to work and be motivated by this dream, whatever it is? Even if we die not seeing it done-but to know that we did something, even if it is something that maybe only we know or think is important? Even if it means being ridiculed, shunned, labelled (since we all are, anyway)? To have a purpose in life, something that gives meaning to our lives, that we decide is important, because otherwise we live for something outside of ourselves, that we do not truly believe in. We cannot continue to allow others to direct and motivate our lives, this direction and thrust must come from within ourselves. Others are not always around to direct us, nor interested in what is best for us. Others do not necessarily make the best choices for us, and do not feel bad for those poor decisions because, after all, it isn't their life! Why trust others to make decisions that we are capable of making for ourselves? How do they know better than we do what is best for us? If they are better informed, than why? We should all have that information, all of us should be able to make the most informed and best choices for ourselves. These are the questions we should be asking, "why is it I don't know what is best for myself?" The greatest disparity is created when some are more capable than others, not just when they have more, but when they are more. Just like, "if you give a man a fish and it feeds him for a day, but teach him to fish and he is fed for a lifetime.", not teaching him to fish is another option; and keeping him dependent upon the fish you provide can be much more appetizing since it creates a 'master and servant' situation. The destruction of hope or faith is malevolent and far more disruptive than physical debilitation. By this I don't mean a religious 'faith'-there is an amount of faith in trusting that tomorrow will come, and it is just as important and valid to many people as believing in a deity. I mean the capacity for belief in something not necessarily certain; such as that the future doesn't need to be the same as, or worse than, the past. Isn't it part of being alive to want things to be better today than they were yesterday? If not, why keep getting out of bed? Why do anything, if we can never improve our lives in any way? That is the reason this method of control, of abuse, is so insidious and malicious-it robs one not of the ability, but the desire, to do, to live.

Apart-ment

Why at work are we not allowed to have any indication of a personal life? Why, when we are in school, can we not have anything outside of that? How are we supposed to keep these relevant, interconnected-by our very selves!-parts apart? How is it that we are all supposed to disregard those parts of our lives that are not present, can anyone really tune out being worried about a spouse or child that is ill? We are limited, but intelligent, beings and outside of facing an immediate threat of death, we have plenty of mental space to devote however we wish. In many cases we are told that there is meant to be no overlap between our "personal lives" and our "professional lives" and if any occurs, there is a stigma-we are weak, immature, "emotional", out-of-control, etc., all of those (ooh, bad!) things. Many of you will no doubt be wondering "what is this blog about?" as if it has to have a singular purpose. Possibly thinking that it is to promote inner peace in whales or that it is a social commentary on chess...no, it isn't like that and isn't 'for' that-that is missing the point. It doesn't matter what I'm here to say anyway, because you might not understand it, what matters is what you are going to get out of reading it (which is another subject entirely). This isn't 'about' any one thing, unless it is everything. Listen, I am not a social status, a job, another child or parent, a friend, an enemy, a player of games or music. Those are all limiting, these labels that some seem to need, they do not convey who I am. These are just things that are not me-they are a part of me, I am not part of them. I observe that rock, it does not observe me. I am the infinite, the whole, that which defines all else around me, just as you are what defines that which is around you. There is a reason we are subjective, and it isn't just because we are selfish, self-centered beings; we can only have our own point-of-view, unfortunately, of course, but it is a physical limitation that explains why. Objects do not define me, they cannot, they do not have the ability to, I am the conscious one, the one that decides, that does, that makes, that understands. This ability demands of us to make these connections, to observe, to do; that is the key, the thing that sets us apart, that makes us the connective tissue of our world. There is no one to do that for us, no one else will meet our friends for us, or do our work, or make love, or experience our lives for us. We are the only ones to do this for ourselves, so we need to actually perform this function, be human and live our lives as complete people, not fractured robots. A computer compartmentalizes its functions, its mind if you will, but that doesn't happen with us-it shouldn't, or there is a serious mental problem (called multiple-personality disorder). Of course, this is an extreme example, but even "just a little bit crazy" is still more than is necessary. We are meant to be whole and together, and anyone demanding otherwise is pissing into the wind and expecting wine.

Keeping Up Is Hard To Do

Hopefully this is just the start, but one has to create new habits and that can be just as difficult as "breaking" old ones. It is interesting how easy it is to fall into some things, and yet actually doing those enjoyable, rewarding activities is such a challenge and have to be squeezed into ones' schedule. I have noticed that actually doing those things that one desires, the effect is immediate and pleasant. It is so easy to do once one starts, so why is it so difficult to begin? Such an interesting quandary: that we know we will enjoy it, because we have in the past, yet we are still slow to start. To overcome this takes the forming of the 'habit' to perform...hence the books about "the secrets to success" which will all offer the same tips in some form or another: just do it, the thing you enjoy. There is no other way, you just have to get over your inertia and develop your drive to continue.