LynnLandes.com
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lynnlandes@earthlink.net
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Some thoughts. I believe in...
- ASKING QUESTIONS AND MAKING SENSE - I believe in asking the question,
"Does it make sense?" Too often we believe what
we are told either by someone in authority or by accepted practice or
tradition, without questioning the logic of the thing. For example,
does it make sense for people to import food from far away places, when they are perfectly capable of feeding themselves?
Doesn't the importation of food lead to a dependence on others, while
undercutting local sources of food? Is it ever wise to blindly trust
anyone, thing, or institution? Yet, that is what all monarchies,
some political systems, and most religions demand. Asking questions is
the antidote to blind trust.
Here's another list on the subject of what makes sense, but it covers more
issues both big and small:
http://www.thelandesreport.com/makingsense.htm
- THE FAMILY OF MAN, COOPERATION, & MERITOCRACY / NOT A
RULING CLASS, COMPETITION AND ENTITLEMENT : We were born into the family of man. In your family,
isn't cooperation stressed, not competing with one another? Why
shouldn't the same rule apply to the rest of society, as well as nations?
Doesn't it makes more sense to cooperate, so that we lift all boats, rather
than compete, so that only a few
will benefit? There are those who want to rule the rest of us, and not
in a good way. These are people who believe that they are the 'chosen
ones' (by birth, beliefs, wealth, talent, luck, or religion). In order to rule
others, some of these folks attempt to keep the rest of us in a state of constant confusion, fear,
and stress, which can lead to hopelessness, depression, and ultimately,
submission. Our job is to stay focused on what makes sense, keep it simple, and persevere.
- LOCAL SELF RELIANCE IN BASIC NEEDS / NOT DEPENDENCY ON THE
MARKETPLACE:
To rely on others for the basics in life, simply makes no sense.
Shopping (or buying things) is the antithesis of self-reliance. To shop
indiscriminately is to abandon personal responsibility of knowing how to do
things for yourself, to
admit, "I can't really know how these things were made (or grown), by whom,
or under what conditions, but I'm going to buy it anyway."
Knowing how to do things for yourself connects you to reality and makes you a
more valuable member of society.
- SHARING AND BARTER / NOT MONEY: Frankly, I've come to believe
that the use of money is simply the most efficient way of making a few people
very wealthy, it's a wealth delivery system, if you will. More often
than not, the pursuit of money leads people to do things that make no sense,
and that are, in fact, extremely harmful. We have big industries
polluting the planet just to make money. Drug companies sell drugs that
do more harm than good. And political parties that have sold out to the
rich at home and abroad.
- INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY & GRASSROOTS MOVEMENTS: We can't
wait for our leadership to do the right thing (whatever that may be). It
is really up to each of us to do what we can to save the planet, protect our health, educate
ourselves, etc.,. Loosely organized movements or networks
can be more successful than highly structured institutions, because in
movements the individual understands that they can act independently, whereas
institutions rely more heavily on rigid rules and a leadership group.
- DIRECT DEMOCRACY AND OPEN VOTING: I
believe we would have far less wars if voters got to decide. However, we
can't have direct democracy if the voting process is secret. In a true
democracy, I believe there should be one standard of voting for both voters
and politicians, open voting, so we all can prove that the count is
correct. Currently, one corporation, ES&S, is computer counting 85% of all
votes in America, with no meaningful or effective transparency or oversight
possible. We should stand up and be counted, right out there in
the open -- no secret ballot, not secret counting, no secrets what-so-ever.
http://www.thelandesreport.com/VotingSecurity.htm
- THE UNIVERSAL MAN AND COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATION: I believe that
we (parents, singles, and students) all should be educated (for free), in as many areas as possible,
and to as high a degree as possible, starting with basic life skills (food,
clothing, shelter, etc.), an then moving on to other things, including
advanced technology. The acquisition of knowledge is a duty we owe to each
other, so that no one is an unreasonable burden to others.
I also believe that teaching should be a community activity. The traditional
classroom of teacher and students is a recipe for abuse and neglect. It
takes a village to show the way.
- MOTIVATING INFLUENCES: I look for news, music, art, film,
etc. to motivate me forward. Too much of the news media (conventional and
progressive), art, architecture (i.e., "brutalist"), and entertainment
since the 1950's has a depressing effect on the general population. Some
say that this is no accident, for such a society is more easy to manipulate
into rampant consumerism and war.
- SOCIAL DANCE! (square, country, contra, Latin,
ballroom, etc.) It's a sport that lasts a lifetime! And it brings people
together!
Here's another list on the subject of what makes sense
to me, but it's very abbreviated, covering issues both big and small:
http://www.thelandesreport.com/makingsense.htm