Kerry's Positive Plans for a Happier, Wealthier, and Wiser, America

[opihimoimoi]

OK, now that we got your attention but for 4.7 nanosecs,

The premise is this;

Lets help Kerry form a Plan. We are the Grass Roots, albeit a small part, but we tend to think, so I guess that qualies us.

We all have some ideas, some notions, something to contribute or voice agreement to. If you wish, take but a few moments to say something positive Kerry can do to get this Nation going once more in the right direction.

National issues:

International/Global Issues:

Future Issues:

Obviously there should be many issues to fix, promote, set up, etc. Kerry cannot do it by himself is a no brainer but what he can do, once elected, is intro/support it, get funding passed, implement it.

Some categories to choose from:::::::::::::::

Jobs/employment:How to solve loss and how to create jobs that stays
Security: Better Protection for the Buck$
Foreign Relationships: Healing our relations with our allies
Peace Making: How to implement a Dept with adequate funding
Pollution/Clean up:
Environmental Issues:
Health Issues:
Food Supply:
Waste:
Efficiency:Innovative Systems:
Happiness Dept:
Cultural Exchange Dept:
Sustainability Dept:

You get the idea.

Come; we join Kerry guys, they need all the help they can get. Its a WE thing, a Grass Roots Thing. We Want a Happier Nation, so whats wrong with that?

[pacifictiger]

1. great post

I'll give it some thought

[Kanary]

2. I'm left out of all these categories

and have been for quite a while now.

That's what depresses me............and I don't see much hope of that changing.

There is very little concern left, either on DU or in the larger DEM population, for poverty issues.

I guess those of us in that position just quietly fade away...........

Kanary

[sangh0]

3. No, people like you don't fade away

People like you come to my office, where hundreds of liberal Democrats work for thousands of dollars less than the private market in order to help poor people in situations like yours, or worse.

And in return, we get the derisive whines of people like you, who claim that our sacrificing thousands of dollars every year is evidence that "there is very concern left...for poverty issues"

Here's a big "You may just get what you're asking for someday" for you

[opihimoimoi]

4. I am very sorry to have left out Poverty the list was just for starters

Free free to add to the list of concerns for the Kerry guys

[Kanary]

5. It's not you personally, opi, as I'm sure you know.

I'm *VERY* discouraged and disheartened at the tone of DEMS in general, as I said in my reply.

Poverty simply doesn't register with very many people at all, including DU..... but across the Dem line.

Poverty just doesn't occur to most people any more.

What that inevitably means is that there are NO champions of poverty causes speaking up, so there will be more and more cuts, and more and more deaths.

It would be nice if there was as much attention to the domestic deaths as there is to the war deaths.

But, that's not going to happen. The interest isn't there. It's clear from many different points.

Kanary

[Kanary]

6. Ummm, can't add to your list......

~~chortle~~

[opihimoimoi]

11. WEll now Kanary, get those Poz Juices flowing

We need to get out the Neg Forces of the Bush Camp. Lets not dwell on the Neg in getting Kerry the Healer into office, lets try the Poz route for a change.

This Nation cries out for Happiness and Goodness. If we let them Neg guys get a hold of our Gov't for too long, we will be doomed to a Neg way of Life creating mucho depression etc. We got no choice but to get our boot straps on tight and help the man of the Hour, Kerry.

They can't do it all by themselves, they want and need us grass roots guys to come to the fore and assist them in Ideas, direction, etc to get this here Nation going in the Poz direction.

Come, we light the fires to cook the food, plug in the Musicians, sing, eat, laugh, enjoy.

We want and need more POZ dammit, lol.

[Kanary]

23. opi, you said to add to your list...... I PHYSICALLY can't do that

Only YOU can edit and add to your list.......

:)

As for me "dwelling on the neg"... ya know, opi....... that doesn't feel very good. NOT a way to include me.

How 'bout wearing these shoes for a while, and seeing through these eyes.

I invite you.

Kanary

[Zorra]

8. Where I live, I see extreme poverty everyday.

People here average less than $8.00 per day in wages.

They have very little educational or economic opportunity.

Many people in the US come from Middle or Upper Middle Class backgrounds, and this background often provides them with the tools, including education and financial assistance, which permits them to continue a higher standard of living. This background also sometimes gives them a very arrogant attitude towards the poor, because they have never experienced poverty.

They have,literally, no clue what it is really like to live in poverty.

I mostly agree with you, Kanary. A great deal of the money that the US spends on unjustifiable wars and other frivolous defense expenses could be spent by providing educational and economic opportunity assistance for those in need of it. But I think this is still an issue for many Democrats.

After I graduated from college,I hitchiked around the US for more than a year. I slept under bridges and underpasses, in fields and sometimes "homeless camps" and migrant worker camps in several different states. I took odd jobs and did migrant farm/factory labor when I could find it. Even though I had no money, I still did not fully understand what it means to come from a background of poverty. Because my upbringing and education always gave me an out, and, although I didn't, I could have written home and asked my folks for financial help at any time. So I was never really poor.

This "adventure" helped me to have more of an understanding of poverty. And my current location in Mexico helps also.

And it also helped me understand why so many people from relatively affluent backgrounds have such an arrogant attitude towards those mired in poverty.

They have no clue.

To quote Bob Dylan:

Once upon a time you dressed so fine
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?
People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall"
You thought they were all kiddin' you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hangin' out
Now you don't talk so loud
Now you don't seem so proud
About having to be scrounging for your next meal.

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it
You said you'd never compromise
With the mystery tramp, but now you realize
He's not selling any alibis
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And ask him do you want to make a deal?

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
When they all come down and did tricks for you
You never understood that it ain't no good
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Ain't it hard when you discover that
He really wasn't where it's at
After he took from you everything he could steal.

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
They're drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
Exchanging all kinds of precious gifts and things
But you'd better lift your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

[opihimoimoi]

10. The Poverty stricken must be made to realize their fortunes lie in the

direction of helping themselves with a simple vote. The Squeaky wheel gets the grease thing. Kerry has to get something going for the poor, how? all he has to do is come to DU and ask.

[redqueen]

12. The problem is dems have been saying 'later' to the poor for decades

now we want to know how to get them to believe Dems can/will make a difference in their lives.

That's a tall order, friend.

[opihimoimoi]

14. Better late than Never. also, the record shows most important

social programs for the poor were initiated and passed by the Dems.

But that is neither here nor there, now is where its at.

We must advance, Imua, as they say here in Hawaii Nei, to the America that can, and will, make a difference to the Future for our children as well as ourselves. WE must be Proactive in our long term approach to the Future, address Jobs, better conditions, etc.

[redqueen]

18. I agree completely

As you say, WE must do this OURSELVES. Door to door, person to person.

It's not going to be easy, but I must say that the evil bu$hco has made it much easier than it might have been. :)

[opihimoimoi]

22. sending wine and caviar to you, lol

[redqueen]

39. EW! lol

Thanks, but I'll take beer and crab legs. :)

You know, for the longest time I was dreading this election. Being in Texas and knowing what I'd hear from most people ('what's the point'?)... it was really discouraging... but now!

Now, I feel a renewed energy, a positive wave building. I know it might sound strange coming on the heels of hellish reveleations each day in the news, but I do. Maybe it's like what Nader says - that people have to be personally hurt before they wake up. I see what's happening with the torture scandal as a seeming to provoke a 'waking up'. I just hope these newly aware people (not Friedman, but the public) keep their eyes open for a while. I hope it gives us an opening to shift the paradigm completely! :)

[opihimoimoi]

56. Beer and King Crab Legs, the large ones to you... LOL

[Kanary]

24. When I'm told I "must be made to realize"

then.........it's time for me to go elsewhere before my anger erupts.

Highly insensitive, opi.

We poor AREN'T STUPID.

Kanary

[opihimoimoi]

26. No one said you are stupid, Kanary. Perhaps I used a insensitive term but

the intent was to promote voting and participation.

That is all.

[Kanary]

31. Voting will be promoted when needs are addressed.

C'mon, get the Kerry supporters to really make a fuss about poverty issues, get some REAL, SOLID proposals on the agenda, and watch poor folk run to the polls.

Kanary

[sangh0]

34. You've got it backwards

The needs of poor people will be addressed if and only if they vote.

[redqueen]

41. Very much so

As long as they disenfranchise themselves, they can be safely ignored.

It is only AFTER they have asserted their power, that anyone will bother to address their concerns.

[sangh0]

49. Yep, no one gets invited to a political party

It's the one party where everyone in the room got there by FORCING their way in.

Abraham Lincoln didn't fight to free slaves until he was FORCED to

The Democratic Party didn't help the unions until they were FORCED to.

The Republican Party didn't invite the religious right to take over. The religious right FORCED themselves in, and FORCED the moderates out.

[redqueen]

52. That sounds like my spiel

Every time a right winger down here complains that their rights aren't addressed. I tell them nobody came down and helped anyone -- you have to get up and help yourself. Usually shuts 'em up.

Sorry to hear about your situation at work. And thanks for having the guts to work in the trenches.

:toast:

[sangh0]

53. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

Thanks for the kind words.

[sangh0]

27. Where I work, half of my dept is about be laid off

Everyone of them is a Democrat who has refused higher pay in order to work here, for a charity that helps the poor. These people (and they might include myself) are going to be laid off because of cuts to our budget that were by Republicans, who vetoed increases in our budgets that had been passed by the Democratic City Council.

Democrats have, over many decades, put the own self-interests behind the interests of the poor. We have sacrificed pay, taxes, our health, and in some cases, a career in order to help the poor.

Some poor people are stupid. So stupid that they bite the hand that feeds them

[opihimoimoi]

30. Then the Grass Roots should be reminding them of their core goals, Help

all Americans. The best way towards that end is to get activated and involved, even if its only to vote.

[sangh0]

36. Why do you assume that we haven't?

And what makes you assume that Dems aren't helping us?

I'm am on the front lines of the Repukes assault on non-faith-based aid to the poor. In 1980, Reagan had the destruction of charities like the one I work for inserted into the Republican platform, and they've been cutting our budget ever since.

Since 1980, scores of Democrats have helped us. Kanary's claim, and you implicit acceptance of it, that Dems don't care about the poor is belied by the reality I face every single working day. I work with hundreds of people who are going to lose their jobs because they chose to work, and be underpaid, at a job that helps the poor.

If you're going to tell anyone that they should get involved, tell it to the poor people who accuse those who are trying to help of not caring.

[opihimoimoi]

59. Didn't mean to imply you haven't... perhaps, not enough might be

a better choice of words. sorry.

[opihimoimoi]

60. Dupe

[JanMichael]

73. That's a f'ed up retort.

The poster was refering to systemic Socio-Economic, and Political, changes that make the sort of "Poverty Relief" you speak of (And that which I oversee the delivery of) obsolete.


Not a whine mind you, a critique.

[Tellurian]

7. Kerry has to appeal to the people...and less to corporate interests..

Ask things like:

Are you better off than you were 3 1/2 yrs ago?

We know the answer to that.

Is the country better off than we were 3 1/2 yrs ago?

same answer...adding,

Why all the secrecy?

Why are members of the Bush Administration asking the court to broaden their executive powers?

Why the need for power in a democracy?..

It's always been the Power of the People.

Why is this administration asking the courts to change that?

[opihimoimoi]

9. Hardly anyone champions the Poor..only because they are too pooped to vote

Kerry has got to develope hope for the Poor by addressing this aspect, give them HOPE/PROMISE... something to vote for.

There are many ways to do this and BTW, the Pubs will never do this as their hearts lie not in that direction. But this is one serious item for the Kerry Camp.

[Kanary]

17. Mahalo nui, opi

HOPE/PROMISE (and especially PROMISE!!!) are much needed.

I appreciate more than you know your last line .... "But this is one serious item for the Kerry Camp". From your lips to the lips of the Goddess!

One correction I must make....... it's not that we're "too pooped to vote"........ it's that we aren't even *mentioned* let alone included, and that's what I was trying to highlight. I've read some really ignorant statements here on DU about "getting out the vote", and convincing poor folk that they are ignorant to not vote, and it's in their best interest, blah blah blah.....

There are times when we need to stand in other people's shoes, and this is one of 'em..... I realize that Dems want *everyone* to vote for them, but think about it...... if YOU were left out, and all the issues were about other people, would you be very excited about voting???

Assigning the lack of voting by poor folk to ignorance and "lack of education" and "shooting themselves in the foot" is just plain mean. It's selfish to think that somebody would continue to support your candidates when they are ignored over and over again.

I thought, going into this campaign, that some words about this issue would get results. I now know that's a pipedream. People have simply closed their minds to concerns other than their own, and since poor folk have absolutely NO power, there's doubtful to be many voices raised.

This is not to discount the few DUers who DO post threads about poverty issues. I send mahalos their way. But, if you have noticed, those threads disappear quickly. No interest. ZILCH.

Can't expect people to vote under those conditions.

Come opi, we go watch Led Kaapana and Cyril Pahinui........men of peace.........

Kanary, disheartened and grieving her "party"

[opihimoimoi]

19. I can unnerstan your feelings Kanary.

The Poor have been left out of the equation too many times because of varying reasons. No need to mention. But should it go on? No, of course not. We must address this. How? To make America Richer, Stronger, Healthier, and Wiser. Its not a Pipe Dream. We put men on the Moon and brought them back.

If we want to, we can do almost anything if we plan it correctly and fund it adequately. That the Pubs have their way of approaching things is the defacto hurdle. Mind you, not all of the Pubs Programs are counter productive. But that is another aspect for now.

Its the Improvement of America at is the issue for the Kerry Guys. They want and need IDEAS, GOOD ONES. Things that the Pubs cannot highjack and if they do, then its ok cause the Ideas we want, are ALL GOOD.

Forget the Bad Force, Go for the Good Force, Go for the Healer that is in Kerry.

[Kanary]

25. When Kerry HEARS me and lets me know he cares about me..

Then I'll "go for him".

It's time for the rest of you DEMS to get this issue, and start speaking up, and including the poor, if you REALLY want their vote.

Chastising people for not voting when they're not being included is short-sighted, to say the least, and certainly ineffective.

People respond when they are INCLUDED.

They don't respond because they've been criticized and yelled at.

Kanary

edited to add: Please don't do what happens here all the time, and tell me "Well, then vote for BUSHwa". I've really had it with that. My comments are not only valid, they are crucial to getting poor folk to vote, and dismissing me in that way is certainly not helpful to Kerry or the party in general.

[opihimoimoi]

28. All I am trying to do is overcome the Neg Force out there promoted by the

Pubs.

That is all. Too much negativity produces too much badness. we need more Goodness. More Positive.

[Kanary]

35. I guess the "neg force" was used generically, and not at the reichwing

I need you to understand, opi, that this is extremely difficult for me. I'm facing these cuts personally, and know that my existence is probably VERY limited, whoever "wins". Please imagine with me what that feels like.

Go one step further, and understand that I'm a lone voice here. Yes, there are a few who speak up for poverty issues (and as I said, those threads sink quickly), but I'm the only one I know here who is personally experiencing this. I get met with all kinds of nasty comments. Can you imagine how that feels, to be alone with this? Just the other day I was confronted here with "Then why do you have a PC?" The hate here is palpable. So, try to keep that in mind.

If I was a person with a family member in Iraq, I'd get support. If I was a person who lost my job because of "outsourcing", I'd get support. On and on. Not being in one of those categories that reaps support, yet suffering greatly and under tremendous worry and pressure IS VERY DIFFICULT.

I would certainly hope you could understand that, and offer aloha.

It is badly needed, believe me.

Kanary

[sangh0]

37. YOu take a step back

and maybe then you'll realize that YOU are NOT a lone voice here. I happen to know for a fact that YOU are NOT the only poor person who posts on DU, and YOU are NOT the only only one facing these cuts personally.

If you feel you're not getting the support you deserve, maybe it's because you don't support those who have tried to help.

[sangh0]

29. It's time for the poor to stop whining

and take some action for themselves, instead of biting the hands that feed them. If being criticized and yelled at leads them to not respond, then it's their own fault. We don't go a day without being yelled at, but that has never stopped us. When you're doing what you know is the right thing, what someone else thinks shouldn't stop you.

[opihimoimoi]

32. You got the right idea SanghO

We gatta do it for OURSELVES. we Cannot wait for the Hero to solve it for us. We gatta get Involved even if its at this grass roots level.

Sending beer and ribs, LOL

[camero]

33. can it SanghO

Too many middle class would rather kick the poor down to keep them in their place and vote repub to do it. Not to mention that many anti-poverty programs also help the middle class.

The middle class should stop whining also.

[sangh0]

40. You can it

My remarks said nothing about the middle class. I responded to accusations that Dems (not "the middle class") don't care about the poor, a claim I know is false.

[camero]

42. The middle class are just as responsible

why are you here? Just to bash the poor? That's it? Do you have anything to contribute?


There's a big difference between charity and government. Charity can refuse help to anyone they want whereas gov't can't. It's seems you love charity and love the power that comes with that.

We will mature as a society when charity becomes passe and we realize that EVERYONE has the right to the fruits of the earth and not just some.


BTW, People with knowledge have the responsiblilty to pass on that knowledge to those that don't. You want to see stupid. That is stupid.

[sangh0]

44. And who said anything different?

This is now the 2nd straw man you've used, in two posts. You're batting 1.000. The first was your implying that I excused the middle class. Now you repeat the same straw man.

Just to bash the poor? That's it? Do you have anything to contribute?

I contribute more $20,000 a year to the poor. If that's bashing, then "I'm proud to bash the poor"

Charity can refuse help to anyone they want whereas gov't can't

You've got it ass backwards. According the Constitution, the govt has NO obligation to the poor. According to the law, my employer DOES have an obligation to help the poor.

BTW, People with knowledge have the responsiblilty to pass on that knowledge to those that don't. You want to see stupid. That is stupid

Again, ass-backwards. People are responsible for their own education.

[camero]

46. who' s playing the strawman?

I contribute more $20,000 a year to the poor. If that's bashing, then "I'm proud to bash the poor"

How do you contribute that? As a tax write-off? I'm not impressed when you don't specifically state where and why you contributed.


You've got it ass backwards. According the Constitution, the govt has NO obligation to the poor. According to the law, my employer DOES have an obligation to help the poor.

No, you've got it backwards. Read your constitution. Specifically the fourteenth amendment. And gov't responsibility to promote the general welfare. When charity does it, it can be refused. When gov't does it, it becomes an entitlement. Corporate charters anyone? Those also rely on the gov't as you have to file with the gov't to be considered a corp.


Again, ass-backwards. People are responsible for their own education

I suppose you think everyone can just teach themselves eh? Why have teachers then.

Nice of you to spread the right wing talking points.

[sangh0]

50. So don't be impressed

I'm not very impressed by your assumptions about my life.

And gov't responsibility to promote the general welfare

That has nothing to do with helping the poor, and SCOTUS has explicitely stated that. SCOTUS has also ruled that the police have no obligation to stop crime, or arrest criminals.

When charity does it, it can be refused.

Wrong. Charities that run hospitals MUST treat emergency patients. They cannot refuse to treat those patients NO MATTER WHAT.

In some situations, charities must provide legal services to those whom the courts have ordered the charity to represent.

I suppose you think everyone can just teach themselves eh?

Aside from those with mental conditions, yes. Learning isn't restricted to teachers and schools.

Why have teachers then.

For children

[camero]

57. I'm not

"Why have teachers then."

For children

So the brain magically has the ability to know everything after 18. Is that what you're saying? Now I think you're being insane.

You're just arguing for the sake of your reputation and not on facts.

Give everything, and live off of the charity of others, then I'll be impressed.

[sangh0]

58. "So the brain magically has the ability to know everything after 18"?

No, the brain has a magical ability to continue to learn new things after the age of 18. Will wonders never cease?

[camero]

61. Yes , they do

In the form of personal insults. Which you are not very good at hiding.

[camero]

48. Let's take a look at the words of Thomas Jefferson

http://www.conceptualguerilla.com/mythologyofwealth.htm

“That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.”

Can we change the game? Can we modify, regulate or even abolish those contract rights, those property rights or those business corporations? Can we use the power to “levy taxes” and spend money for “the general welfare” to do things like educate people, feed the hungry, and generally provide them with what Abraham Lincoln called “a fair start in the race of life”?


You’re goddamn right we can. Thomas Jefferson said so. The “market place” isn’t a naturally occurring phenomenon. It is a human invention, created by our laws, customs and institutions. The vast fortunes of our elites are likewise the product of a mythological legal infrastructure that bestows access to resources to some people and denies it to others. “Wealth” is just the latest in a long history of myths used to divide the world into the people who work and the people who live off of them. We created this mythological system, and we can change it if we feel like it. We can regulate it a little – or a lot. We can modify any one of its elements, or all of them. Or we can abolish it altogether. It’s called “democracy”, and you should now understand why cheap-labor defenders of the “haves” don’t like it.

[sangh0]

51. You are getting incoherent

That post has nothing to do with anything I've said

[camero]

54. No you don't have a defense

Which is why you didn't address that issue.

[opihimoimoi]

55. To get the GOOD, we must hash out the differences, I was just rying to get

some Poz feelings going in this here thread.

And I can understand the Negativity fostered by the Pubs having an impact on our Society ... but, we should, remember, whether we like it or not, we the Grass Roots can have an impact only if we make loud noises towards the end we desire.

If we go for Neg, thats what we will reap.

Kerry needs Poz things, plausible and meaningful things. This is our life, our Nation, if we don't care, then who will? Its not gonna be those Brain washed Pubs, dats fer sure.

[sangh0]

62. Negativity is all some people have

and they're not going to give it up without a fight, opi. It's the only thing they have left, and if they let it go, they will have to take more responsibility for their situation. Saying "nothing matters" and "there's no difference" is how they avoid contemplating how they could improve their own situation.

[opihimoimoi]

70. Sad but SO True SanghO

I guess its so compelling the addictiveness of Negativity is captured their spirits.

This is the product of Negativity Implemented 101.

We should be looking for ways to overcome with the Pos Forces... Much more Fun and Rewarding for the General Public.

[Kanary]

43. Yeah, all we do is "whine"

But, we're supposed to toe the line and vote.......hah

All it takes is watching Du for a while, and seeing what happens to threads about poverty, and what happens to requests to call and write about issues having to do with poverty.

I busted my butt writing resolutions for caucus, putting together information for people to call and write about the housing issue, and spoke to that over and over. Hardly any response... I probably got one or two people to call or write.

But, I'm dismissed as "whining"

I've had it with the DEMS... a pox on their collective houses.

Kanary

[Name removed]

45. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[opihimoimoi]

47. All we are saying is "No Vote, No get"

The Guy to give the Promise at this point is Kerry. We should be supporting him.... not wait for the "Programs" to give first. If he don't deliver, then we vote him out and go for someone else that does.

The Pubs have psyched us out with their negativity and its addictive and ebolaesque. WE should be trying to overcome with Positivity and Goodness.

To get a Luau, we should be Planning for it, vote for it, work for it.

[Kanary]

67. opi, can you explain why your standards are different

for "swing voters" than for "poverty voters"?

For months now, I've read over and over and over here how the DEMS have to appeal to the "center" and the "swing votes".

Yet, I say much the same thing about the votes of poor folk, and I'm called to task. We have to somehow prove ourselves first.

Why the difference?

Would you also say this about black voters?

I'm asking because I've heard black leaders saying "this is it....... this is the last vote from us you take for granted".

[pacifictiger]

65. Kanary, continually venting that we are pissed off about something

is the easy way out and serves as an excuse for taking even a small step to responsibility for how our life can turn out. It is much more difficult to make a conscious choice for our Attitudes and our Actions. The longer you are stuck in a poor me attitude and blame everyone else, the longer it will take for you to get unstuck. Someone like Oprah didn't make it by whining, she pulled herself up by her bootstraps from a difficult childhood. Thoughts become things, and I would suggest that when you have the capacity to change inside, your outside will change too, surely as night follows day. And change is never instantaneous, it takes work and time whether we like it or not.
Start with the little steps of what you can do. If can you put a smile on someone else's face today, you are helping the world in a small way, and it will come back to you in some way, I promise.
Sending sunshine, love and hugs your way, it sounds like you could use some.

[Kanary]

66. YOU have NO idea what I have done or haven't done

Your assumptions are insulting.

Kanary

[pacifictiger]

68. I'll ignore that outburst

and wish for you happiness and love.

[Tellurian]

63. Yes, right. While Freedom is universally coveted.

[camero]

13. OK, I'll bite

Jobs/employment:How to solve loss and how to create jobs that stays

Multinational Tax on Corps that make products overseas and ship them here.


Security: Better Protection for the Buck$

Bring the troops home from Iraq and other places and use the Reservists to defend our Borders with a good rotation.


Foreign Relationships: Healing our relations with our allies

A televised apology at the UN would go a long way towards this and getting back to the bargaining table on all the international agreements that Bush refuses to sign.

Peace Making: How to implement a Dept with adequate funding

Get Kuch to run it. Use cuts in the defense budget for adequate funding.


Pollution/Clean up:

Seriously go after polluters to take on the costs of cleanup. With Jailtime if it comes to that.


Environmental Issues:

Give environmentalists a major seat at the table in the EPA. The EPA should be reserved for people who actually care about the environment. Dump the cost-benefit analysis.


Health Issues:

He should use the bully pulpit to ram UHC home. He should get the word out that a nation is only as strong as it's weakest people and as we help them get stronger we become stronger as a nation.

There's some, I'll think of more later. As much as I think he's been trying to play to corps too much he is our candidate. Hope this helps.

[opihimoimoi]

16. Camero, its a start and a big help. Kerry needs input from us

some ideas will seem far fetched, others plausible, but there will be a few gems/ Thanks for the input. they are welcomed. All ideas, good ideas are welcome. Mahalo Nui Loa.... Opi

[Redleg]

15. Add "Economic Justice" and "Workers' Rights" to that and I'll sign up.

I suppose those are part of the jobs/employment categories but I feel they extend beyond that.

[opihimoimoi]

20. Yup, no one said this would be easy, but the solutions are there if we

put our minds to it.

Come, we get those Kerry Guys off their asses and get their juices flowing.

[opihimoimoi]

21. oops dupe

[DU GrovelBot]

38. ## Support Democratic Underground! ##

==================
GROVELBOT.EXE v2.0
==================
 
The time now is 3:57:14PM EDT, Thursday, May 13, 2004.
 
There are exactly...
3 days,
8 hours,
2 minutes, and
46 seconds left in our fund drive.
 
This website could not survive without your generosity. Member donations 
pay for more than 84% of the Democratic Underground budget. Don't let
GrovelBot become the next victim of the Bush economy. Bzzzt.
 
Please take a moment to donate to DU right now. Thank you for your support.
 
- An automated message from the DU GrovelBot

Click here to donate.

[radwriter0555]

64. try visiting his WEB SITE for even MORE ideas!!!!

http://www.johnkerry.com

[opihimoimoi]

69. Yes, I did, sometime ago. I am on the Kerry Team, hence this

thread. I can bust ass and do the house to house thing, I can email, I can, donate:

In addition to Money, I'd like to contribute Ideas to see all that moneys is well spent. One of the ways is to be very comfortable with the message from John Kerry.

While his messages so far are good, we can help by fine tuning it with input. Honing the message is what it is. We, without money to donate like the Pubs, can donate with time and effort to enhance the Message. We get 2 things, 1, input, and two, a symbiotic path to wards improvements. Its the big picture/// thingy.

And just who are the "WE" mentioned? Well, all of us, Poor, Rich, and all in between. Its not "Us and Them", its all of US. Well, Most of Us as we realize it will never be "ALL". But the Idea is to get the Balance in the Positive Forces Favor.

We can start by being more Positive and address this with contributions and cheer leading. Not everyone can be expected to come up with Ideas and new concepts but at least support the Effort.

[liarliartieonfire]

71. Plans for a Happier, Wealthier, and Wiser, America

Halleluja!!!

My goodness. Just reading those words takes me way back to those days of Bill Clinton, seems so long ago, we actually had all that. wealth, prosperity, jobs, fiscal responsible government, decent quality of life. We could actually HAVE a life!!
No things weren't perfect, after all President Clinton had some tough choices to make in pulling this country out of the ravages of GHWBush.

But he did it. And it somehow it didn't hurt so much when he was acting like a President should act in lifting his people out of near financial, and environmental ruin.

Wow, hard to believe that was just a few years ago.
Here we all are, facing the ravages of another Bush, and the constant drumbeat of war, war, death, death, slaughter of lives, shattered dreams, and families and futures looking endlessly bleak.
No work, little pay, and no alternative.

War is all we've heard since Bush arrived in DC. Pomp & Circumstance, the finest at his disposal, and the planet just slogs along untended.

The depression of war and all it brings, burns up the airwaves, newspapers and coffee break talk.
Our chilren know about war, its a topic in every classroom.

My goodness to think of the words :
Kerry's Positive Plans for a Happier, Wealthier, and Wiser, America"

Does it make you recall how life can really be?
Does it remind you of what a Democracy really is?

It makes me delight for a moment, because I know what it felt like a few years ago. Before Bush, and before war, war, warwarwar.

I'm sick of hearing about war. I am burning out on the drumbeat of something so black and horrific, that I know there is no longer time in my life for such sadness to occupy a moment.
I am full of war. FULL!

Grapes of Wrath and the oppressive,depressive, regressive path life took seems familiar, for what has been lain on the shoulders of America since the days of GWBush, cannot go on much longer.

There has to be some reason and sanity. Some time to put the world and people back in order.
There has to be a quick ending to this dire saga of GWBush.

If John Kerry feels his own shoulders are broader and stronger than the weight bearing down on Americans, who tire and turn away from Bush's death spiral with our lovely Earth, then John Kerry can be the man to began the task of lifting our beaten down Nation to a calmer place.

Plans for a Happier, Wealthier, and Wiser, America"

Those are words we have not heard nor felt for so very long.
It sounds like a future the world deserve after the ravages of these past few years.
So many thousands of people have died under George W Bush's short watch.

The mere presence of John Kerry in the White House means GW Bush is gone.
Senator John F Kerry already has my vote.

[opihimoimoi]

72. Yes, the Positiveness he promises are contagious and is compelling at once

He will do it if we hold his feet to the fire. He is our ALL IN BET and he is the Promise for the Future.

Come, we find ways to make his job easier.

Come, we send him plans and Ideas.

In a few minutes, I will finish work and come back to lay our some Promise for ALL OF US Americans.

[liarliartieonfire]

74. Hear Hear Opi!!

Yes dear Opi, you go out to collect wise thoughts.

Then we all sit by the fire and make great plans.

The good spirit walks with you, Opi.

[opihimoimoi]

75. Thanks Liarliar

Come, we go try. :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :toast:

For the Kerry People:: To wit : Plans for a better America, a richer one, a Happier one.

A 7+ FOR 1 effort. Kerry Guys: Pay attention lest the Pubs steal the Idea.

Anytime we can address several good things for the same money, I consider that bucks well spent.

Jobs, Housing, Efficency, Comfort, Wealth, Happiness, and the Economy all rolled into one effort.

We all know America is out sourcing too many of our jobs to Nations willing to work for less. That we would have a hard time stoping for its the Capitalistic way of doing things.

But suppose we create more jobs that Cannot be outsourced? Not a small amount, a token number of jobs but Mucho jobs. More jobs would create more tax base and money will flow upwards, not the trickle down stuffs we keep waiting for but hardly ever get thru tax cuts which usually end up causing deficits and larger Nat Debts.

Kerry should propose a building program in such a way as to beef up the CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY... in a big way.

Let us create Models of new ways to build our cities, towns, etc.

Let us go to the architects, the engineers, etc to design and implement new ways to work and live that result in less energy usage, less space, more comfort, more safety, more Happiness, etc

While we have oil/energy to do it, lets re-build our cities that have central water heating, central air conditioning, etc etc. Why not take advantage of the thermoclime, cold water in our Oceans at 2,000 feet depth? John Craven and his Merry Band of Supporters/peers have developed many uses for cold water. Makes electricity, cools our air, makes fresh water, and many other uses including raising temperate crops in sub tropical conditions.

Reducing Waste, if we can address the notion of lowering our per capita energy use in a big way, we should seriously look into it.
By building models for Cities/communities around the Nation/World to emmulate, improve on, we address the upcoming energy shortage as big oil becomes small oil.

Come, we go find ways to extract more torque/energy from places right under our noses. Rivers with volume but low elevation drops. The old fashioned water wheels used drops of 8 to 20 feet to derive energy. Let us find ways to implement newer and better water wheels to derive more energy with a short payback times.

Let us plant crops with new and better ways with less dependence on artificial nutrients. Lets go for the sustainable systems, with advanced hydroponics in large scales....in and out of the cities.

Lets build new and better parks, for learning, relaxing, and soul searching too. Let us plant fruits from different parts of the world so we might have a taste or two that is new. Open to the Public, we can devise fair ways to distribute, especially to the Hospices and care homes/schools/etc.

Lets plan our cities so there is ample room to live near your jobs minimizing needless travel/energy consumption. If we want it, we can find the ways to do it.

Lets get those Engineering firms to design how to get more usage from those BTUs consumed heating out cities. Why not plan for a system where high heat is used in Melting metals, ceramics, sterilization, water heating, steam production, and so forth until the heat is all used up. Lets get the architectual firms to come up with ideas and designs to create beautiful, energy efficient cities. forget those mega blocks, we want Mega Cities that are Fun to live in, Exciting fun.

And where are the Parties? John Kerry better be planning Parties for America. Large Luaus, Large Clam Bakes, etc etc. Lets find the ways we can all enjoy, laugh, smile, sing, and eat. Forget the Neg Forces, its not Healthy.

As America gets richer, so does the programs for the not so lucky, the ones without. They will have a better chance at the golden ring than under the Neg atmosphere we now endure.

And so, Kerry guys, get rolling. Get on board. Come, to a place where Positiveness Rules. Come to DU. Come, see what we grass roots guys have for you. Don't mind the Neg Forces, they are busy passing out GUILT. Just shine it on and consentrate on the Poz.

We must find ways to make it work. Lets go for the Landslide.

end of rant. sorry if I was too long.

[opihimoimoi]

76. Kick for the KERRY GUYS

Comon guys, wake up,come to the promised land, come to the Place of Sanity

[opihimoimoi]

77. Post 75 kick