Working Together for the Future: What are you going to do to make a positive difference?

Becoming informed.

I agree with David...

Staying informed, and through my efforts to bring information I find, to those that probably wouldn't see it otherwise, help inform others. Gather may be a small pond, but the ripple effects are hopefully quite a bit larger, in the end.

I've usually been involved in something - the schools, public access broadcasting, local civic groups, campaigns. I'll probably get more involved with our area's new commission now.

I will send lots of love and light, send lots of visual thoughts full of peace, serenity, forgiveness, happiness, good health to ALL THERE IS out there!!

Staying informed, letting my congressmen know when they are not backing the right choices, and reaching out to others to help all stay above water as I can to help get us through the crisis together.

I purpose to share more fully with my family, my community and my world by giving myself and my talents as well as donations.

I will do what I have done for all of my adult life. I will advocate and support decentralization of our economy and genuine (as opposed to corporate and state) capitalism. I will buy locally whenever possible; I will especially buy local food and organic food in particular; I will support farmer's markets and food coops; for items not grown here (coffee, for instance) I will buy fair trade items whenever possible; I will use the local credit union for my financial needs; I will participate in local projects such as our part of the Rails to Trails and Relay for Life. I will do whatever little bit I can to call attention to and reduce or end Federal subsidies to agribusiness (including writing to our new president with the hope he will take up the cause), the end product of which is our national epidemic of obesity and diabetes. I will do whateve I can to promote a universal, single-payer health care (not insurance) system to eliminate the total waste of the insurance company middleman. In general, I will practice and promote rationality and common sense.

I'm going to start getting more involved with the inner city of Chicago in some of these inner city neighborhoods trying to get a kid through high school is like trying to give yourself a root canal. This can't go on like this. The situation is intolerable as far as I'm concerned.

doesn't sound like the election is over yet, still trying to get elected

Election aside - gratitude, helping others and sacrifice are all positive ways that each one of us can make a difference. Remember the Keep America Beautiful Campaign, for instance? It still exists, and there's still a big need for it. All too often I still see trash dumped alongside our roadways. Personally, I'd love to see folks engage in what I call 'PreMeditated Acts Of Kindness': Being consciously kind to ourselves, our environment, our families, strangers etc. If each one of us performed just one small kind act every single day, just think of the example it sets for others (especially youngsters). Best of all, you don't have to make major overnight shifts in habits - just one small step a day, like letting someone merge in traffic, holding a door open, saying please/thank you, smiling at a stranger, calling an old friend just to say 'hi'. It may sound like 'do goodery', but what's wrong with that? I like to think of it as: 'Be Bold, Be Nice, Do Good . . . especially when you're not in the mood! It's something that I really try to practice every day - and definitely if I'm having a bad day (a smile, or kind word really helps).

And what did you do for the last 8 years other than complaining about everything., miss Linda W?
I think everyone had great ideas and things that they are doing...I will continue to provide affordable homes for people and help a non profit part of the time to build homes for poor elderly on reservations.

Carla, let the naysayers have their wine, and we'll serve them up some cheese to go with it. This is the first time in my 57 years that the President elect has bothered to ask me: Rosa, how do you see it? Yep, first time. So, I headed on over to Change.gov and offered up my services, first time. No one really ever asked before. I offered up my opinions about community gardening, so no one goes hungry. For years Hubby and I have helped the homeless, and will continue to do that work. Every community should have a food bank, and every person who can should donate something once a week.

Stay engaged.

Reach one, and teach one.

Community -- at some level, -- be it local, civic, state, or national, and it makes no difference to me. I'm staying connected to the Obama camp, and responding to the needs, wherever, and whenever there is a need. But, when is that, you ask? ALWAYS!

Now, here is something that each and ever person is able to do, and it won't cost you a thing:

1. Vote.

2. Stay on top of these 3:
------Your Senior U.S. Senator
------Your Junior U.S. Senator
------Your House Representative

Let those 3 aforementioned KNOW that you are keeping a close eye on them, on their voting records, and that you have a vested interested in how they vote. Stay in touch with them, and guaranteed, they shall "perform" for you. Also, let them KNOW that you are an Obamaniac, and that they had better continue to support the President, or else . . .

Or else, what?

Or else, YOU shall be expressing yourself through your ballot, which means bye bye to THEM. They shall hear you loudly and clearly -- guaranteed.

See how easy it is to stay engaged.

Do not forget Obama, either.

He was serious when he said that he wants to know how he's doing. He wants to hear from you as well, good or bad.
Click here and tell Obama and Biden


(Sandy, this one's for YOU.)


After he is President, I'm sure he shall provide another site for feedback; guaranteed.

"And what did all of you do for the last 8 years to make a positive difference? Seems to me that all most of you did was criticize Bush. The fact is, he did what he could, just like you say Obama is going to do, but it wasn’t enough. And now you expect other people to do what you have not been willing to do for the last 8 years. Interesting."
(Linda W., Nov 29, 2008, 10:44pm EST)

Actually Linda, this is not an accurate reflection of what happened. Bush came in on the wave of "compassionate conservatism." Following 9/11, everyone in this country was behind the President and willing to sacrifice for our country. In large part the country supported going after bin Laden in Afghanistan and fighting terrorism. As a country we were all on board and supportive of President Bush.

And then the President betrayed our trust. He chose to use the national sympathy and support following 9/11 for personal and professional gain. He used it to "misrepresent" the imminent danger of Iraq so he could invade. He used it to isolate the US from the rest of the world. He used it to create an aura of fear amongst Americans that caused many of us to believe the worst, to discriminate, and to hate. He misused the power of his position and allowed Vice-President Cheney to expand his power beyond that of the Vice-President and into the realm of the President.

So, this was not about people "criticizing Bush" for the last 8 years. This was about a rising dissatisfaction with the continuous and documented lack of management skills. This was about rebelling against the use of the highest office in this land as a partisan tool to foist an ideology onto the rest of the country. This was about his choice to employ, and even encourage, Rovian tactics that insinuated partisan politics into every facet of management from the Executive branch.

No, criticism of our President is a reaction to our President's policies and actions. It is incumbent on all of us to pay attention to our elected officials, and attempt to redirect them when they have gone awry. In contrast, the criticism of President-elect Obama has begun even before he has taken office. While we all supported President Bush and Vice-President Cheney until it was clear they were not being faithful to the responsibilities of their offices, there are some who have decided to stand in the way of the President-elect without even giving him a chance to get us back on the path that has made this country so great in the past. Reaching our great national potential has nothing to do with political differences of opinion. We can disagree with policy and still promote our country's promise. But to rant about things that aren't true or to convict over biased speculation of what might happen in the future is disingenuous at best and dangerous at worst.

That is what is interesting. The pre-judgment.

So right, David K. Bush was supported after 9/11 by most Americans and most of the world community until he betrayed our trust as you said.

Personally, I have supported green causes since the 1970s, my small company supports American business as much as possible and 100% of our workforce is right here in America. I drive a fuel efficient vehicle and drive as little as possible. I stay on top of our political leaders and vote based on what I feel is best for our country and contact my political representatives whenever I think they need a nudge in a certain direction. We all need to do our part and avoid complacency.

David K, your analysis is right on.

I am so thrilled and excited by the many ideas and contributions that you have mentioned here. Maybe it will give others ideas on how they can become involved in moving forward in a positive way.

Let's not allow people like Linda to draw our focus from the present and the future. She is living in the past. Keep those positive ideas flowing! I see much good here!

Colin, I don't like name-calling. It serves no purpose other than to kindle further bad feelings and anger. Let's take the high road, shall we?

I've worked on numerous women's rights issues all my life and will continue to do so. I'm also active in local politics and am part of a group that fundraises for our local foodbank, MRDD clients and Senior Services.

I worked the Obama campaign and I will continue to do what I can, when I can.

I also, on my own, help people work their way through the govt. services maze and make sure that they are treated with respect.

David,
Thing about your commentary concerning the 8 years of the Bush administration is that it is all OPINION, almost none vertifiable fact/truth.

Carla,
"Let's take the high road, shall we?"
Not like before you won and were maligning McCain and Palin every chance you could LOL!

Colin? Well Colin just can't help himself that's just the way he is.

As far as what I'm going to be doing the next 4 years.

I've always contacted my representatives pretty regularly and I will do the same with the incoming administration.
I've already contacted President-elect Obama praising his plan to support alternative energy and critizing his plan to implement a carbon cap and trade program, sent him my thoughts that we need a national net metering regulation to allow private citizens to connect their own alternative energy sources to the grid unemcumbered by excessive regulations.
Considering President - elect Obama's past position on gun control I have begun supporting the Second Amendment Foundation. www.saf.org
I have increased my support of the fully informed jury association. www.fija.org
In the near future I will begin supporting the Alliance Defense Fund which could be considered a "conservative " ACLU. www.alliancedefensefund.org
I will be increasing my contribution to my local united way because I think we are going to need it in the next four years.

I see hope in some of the apointments that President - elect Obama has made and the fact that he is hesitating on rolling back the Bush tax cuts and that he is balking on implementing his carbon cap and trade plan.

Carla,

Let me add one more piece, being "audacious": if President-elect Obama could see this article, I picture him putting his arm around you, and giving you a huge huge. This is precisely the type of thing that he loves to see -- positive energy, and efforts being thrust forward in the community to bring about positive change.

This is what we should all be doing; you did YOURS. Now, it's our turns.

Thank you.

I think it's great that some are becoming more active in government, but perhaps folks should also refer to my original comment. Act from knowledge, not fear...not bias...not insecurity.

Dan, I did not use name calling. That is what I was speaking about to Colin.

Thanks, Lady Neeetah. :-)

David: "Act from knowledge, not fear...not bias...not insecurity."

David, that is such good advice. Thanks for that.

"Act from knowledge, not fear...not bias...not insecurity."
I agree with you 100% David,
That's why I began supporting the Second Amendment Foundation with the full knowledge of the history of President - elect Obama's history on gun control and knowing that the gun control Brady bunch will most likely come calling on President Obama with hand outstreched seeking favors from one of their own. The Second Amendment Foundation will undoubtedly need help in fighting these upcoming court battles.
I will be supporting the Alliance Defense Fund because they are staunch defenders of conservative ideals and knowing that President - elect Obama is the most liberal Senator ever elected to the office of the Presidency, they also will need help with the possible future onslaught against conservative ideals.
It is not that I think President Obama will jump to incorporate extreme liberalism into his policy but that I think that these extreme leftist organizations will be (or already are)beating down his door pressuring him to include their agenda within his, Moveon.org has already publicly expressed (implied) that since they helped get Obama elected they expect payback.
You can say that my increased support for these "conservative" organizations are calculated and pre-emtive attempts to level the playing field against these radicals.

"Dan, I did not use name calling."
Carla,
No you did not, I stand corrected.

carla you posted a good question...its something I have to think more about..what my part can be..but first I have already and will continue to pray for our president. For knowledge and strength and integrity. I am a Obama supporter and am proud to say I voted for him and for change...he needs some time....please support our president!

Thanks for posting this to MATRIOT! Carla - and now I'll add my 2 cents -
I'll be continuing with the ALL-CULTURES POWWOW,
and continuing development, folkshop-by-folkshop, of the HEART OF JOY FOLKSCHOOL.
All my work on this planet is dedicated to DYNAMIC PEACE.
To that end, I'll soon be opening an innerchild unispiritual folk ministry circle......and some of what we'll be working on together will be stuff being brought up through MATRIOT! here on gather. Aummmmmmmmmerican Dream-Changers, here we go.

Oh - and a wee bit for Dan -

Dan, I received prophetic information about Bush's 8 years and so I never worked against what the universe had shown me was already planned, already in the works - lessons for humanity, and GW Bush was the chosen one to provide them. Hard lessons. Lessons about our own insides, and all the work we have left to do on ourselves.
Knowing that he was due to be President no matter what the vote count looked like in his first election, I didn't vote for him - really, in all my heart conscience, could not vote for him. But knowing that he was called, I refrained from working against him, and held a heart space for him - realizing that because of the torture and thievery and radiation-pollution and destruction, he would have a horrible conscience to deal with before death, and after death, too. So I refrained from adding the curse of personal judgementalism to his burden. And I always felt sorry for him because of his learning disability which caused him to tangle the language so badly.
Since I knew he was in for 8 years, I didn't work against him - really, against the universe's call - in his second election. Again, I held a heart space for him. All during these 8 years I've been training myself and others as spiritual [peaceful] warriors, and I've kept on keeping on with my lifework of dynamic peace, bringing one sacred vision after another into actualization.
So you see, I have not changed.
I also knew Obama would be the next President, and I know we'll have a Hispanic woman President after Obama's 8 years.
For Obama I voted with my whole heart.

In a sense, I actually have been "voting" for GW Bush all along - holding thoughts of his awakening and learning to forgive, and learning to share, and just getting simple - going through recovery, too, if that's for his highest good.....I know he stopped drinking, but I also know he's been acting like an adult child / dry drunk, so I have a hope for him that perhaps he could truly benefit from recovery if he chanced to choose it.
In that sense, I truly have been voting for GW Bush.

AND I can say that - no - I haven't changed. My work is my work, and politics can't change it.

Cindy, yes, prayer is one of the most important things that we can do. We must pray for the country and all of it's leaders.

Thank you, Carolion. I know that you are doing your part. I see that in your work every day.

Dan, I think the word liberal has changed or is changing its meaning with Obama, he is too much of a pragmatist not to adjust his views based on the present needs of the people.
He is more likely to use the practical ideas from both ideologies to achieve what is best for the country.

"Oh - and a wee bit for Dan"

And how was that 'for me'?
If you chose to portray and believe that you have had profetic visions.....How does it reflect on me ?

Dan, I think Carolion was just trying to explain why she says what she says. She is a gifted prophet or seer and told me quite some time ago that Obama would be the next president.

If you haven't already done so, take this brief survey, which asks how you might be willing to help and on what issues. President-elect Obama is already reaching out to his supporters, suggesting ways we can all work toward positive change in our communities.

And, not that it's any of Linda's business, but I have been a "community organizer" for the past 20 plus years, working with small towns to stimulate jobs, community revitalization, historic preservation and economic development. I don't often like to pat myself on the back, it's just what I do and an important part of who I am. I own my own business and I serve on numerous boards, including a business organization and a thrift store that operates a food pantry and other social services.

I mentor young people who are interested in the kind of business I'm in, work with a local arts organization, and read to kids at a local after-school program.

I don't know about you, Linda, but I don't have time to sit around criticizing the president -- there is too much work to be done. I'm all for staying positive and trying to make things better. We were all put here for a reason.

Prima - I knew there were reasons I liked you!

I'll be doing what I always do - helping out in my community where there are needs I can meet. I'll also be offering emotional/spiritual support to others who have fibromyalgia or chronic illnesses.

David K. said something about how we should be giving the new president-elect a chance. What some folks don't seem to understand is that what he proposed during the campaign was completely opposite of what some of us (46% remember) wanted. We fear what will happen to our country in the next 4 years, especially if Georgia also goes to a liberal Democrat.

As I've watched Obama select his staff, I realized that his message of "change" doesn't mean that at all, since he's gathering folks who worked with Clinton and lobbyists and such around him. That's not change. Hopefully, that will mean that everything else he said in the campaign will not come to pass either.

Marilyn, glad to know you're helping out in your community.

You've got Obama all wrong. You will see when he makes positive changes we can all be proud of.

Support President elect Obama. Also being inform and informing others.

Prima, you are an amazing woman!

Marilyn, it's not good to live in fear. Let's try hope for a change, shall we? Pray for the guidance and direction of all our government leaders.

I am on a mission to teach teens to manage their money so they will be financially competent and confident. The program teaches teens to give away 10% of their income to a cause. It's VERY COOL and teens love it-- it's an online video seminar narrated by and for teens, which is part of the charm.. www.wealthquestforteens.com

Let's spread the word to bring a whole generation of teens to adulthood with these skills mastered!!

A generation of adults with excellent habits and attitudes toward money is a piece of this stimulus package that we can provide!!