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Sunday night rant - 8/5/2007 9:27:07 PM

gooddogbenji

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Just a quick Sunday night rant.

Reading a number of threads on politics, oil, and other stuff which enrages us all, I notice that not ONE person has brought it to the table that oil companies, governments, and all similar entities actually do serve at our pleasure.

If you don't like the government's actions, don't blame them. They are only doing what we let them get away with. Place your vote for change. Not for Republican, or Democrat, but against a corrupt system. Vote indepedant, even if you think the guy's a tool.

Why? Because the more votes the endependants get, the more the other guys get nervous. Any politician who has stolen? Vote him out. Fuck him, and the party that tolerates it. He voted for the Patriot Act? How is that excusable? Why didn't he read it? Get him out!

It doesn't matter that you align with everyone else. It matters that YOUR vote is cast along what you think is acceptable.

As to oil companies, pharma, banks, and the like? Stop paying them. Simple. End your contracts legally, and find another way. If we stop paying them, they stop being able to abuse us.

They have to do what they do. Anyone who has a trust fund, bank account, or almost any investment other than individual shares and real estate, wants to make money on it. And most funds have at least some profits in there you curse about. So stop demanding they stop abusing you, while expecting the benefits thereof.

Take responsibility for YOU. Think. Research. And then support only those who deserve your support.

After all, it's easier to be domesticated these guys, but don't bitch about the milking.

Find your own damn food.

Yours,

benji

PS: I can honestly say that I follow that advice. I use oil, banks, and the government to the extent that I need to, but have no major issues with their actions. Corporate media and pharma are left off entirely, as I don't want to support them. And as such, I shape the world as much as I can.

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RE: Sunday night rant - 8/5/2007 9:56:51 PM

Masque66

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It's surprising how common it is to vilify in one hand then pay for their goods with the other. If things do change and all these prices rise, they'll complain again.

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RE: Sunday night rant - 8/6/2007 4:38:41 AM

sublimelysensual

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quote:

ORIGINAL: gooddogbenji

Just a quick Sunday night rant.

Reading a number of threads on politics, oil, and other stuff which enrages us all, I notice that not ONE person has brought it to the table that oil companies, governments, and all similar entities actually do serve at our pleasure.

If you don't like the government's actions, don't blame them. They are only doing what we let them get away with. Place your vote for change. Not for Republican, or Democrat, but against a corrupt system. Vote indepedant, even if you think the guy's a tool.

Actually I am not, and never have been a "party line" voter, personally speaking people who do just vote the line irritate me. Use your head.

Why? Because the more votes the endependants get, the more the other guys get nervous. Any politician who has stolen? Vote him out. Fuck him, and the party that tolerates it. He voted for the Patriot Act? How is that excusable? Why didn't he read it? Get him out!

It doesn't matter that you align with everyone else. It matters that YOUR vote is cast along what you think is acceptable.

As to oil companies, pharma, banks, and the like? Stop paying them. Simple. End your contracts legally, and find another way. If we stop paying them, they stop being able to abuse us.
Ideally that's wonderful, benji, but sometimes it's a rock and a hard place type situation. I live in a rural area, no public transportation, carpooling, etc. It's a trade-off I made to ensure my um was raised in the best possible environment. I don't have a viable alternative to paying whatever is asked for gas other than to stay home more, which we do, both by choice and financial necessity.
She takes about 8 different meds a day for her disease,to the tune of around $6000 a month. Not willing to give those up either. That being said, about the only med I use is goody's headache powders, and I don't complain about the price. Then again, I don't complain about the price of my daughter's meds either..they keep her alive and healthy..a part of me thinks that's priceless.

They have to do what they do. Anyone who has a trust fund, bank account, or almost any investment other than individual shares and real estate, wants to make money on it. And most funds have at least some profits in there you curse about. So stop demanding they stop abusing you, while expecting the benefits thereof.

Take responsibility for YOU. Think. Research. And then support only those who deserve your support.

After all, it's easier to be domesticated these guys, but don't bitch about the milking.

Find your own damn food.

Yours,

benji

PS: I can honestly say that I follow that advice. I use oil, banks, and the government to the extent that I need to, but have no major issues with their actions. Corporate media and pharma are left off entirely, as I don't want to support them. And as such, I shape the world as much as I can.
I do completely understand what you're saying. There are few things I complain about, government-wise, usually things I have no choice in, such as the oil situation you referenced. I have to buy gas. I have to pay whatever is being asked for it. When it comes to the point where I have to choose between buying gas to take the um to the park, or being able to pay a bill, well, I get a bit aggravated. Simply because I know what kind of profit the gas companies are hauling in right now. As I said..it's a trade-off, I guess. Just another point of view from one of the people complaining..lol..

-a

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RE: Sunday night rant - 8/6/2007 7:02:52 AM

Alumbrado

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I believe that the concept of 'comfort zone' covers this... a lot of people continue to bitch about things that are within their power to change, rather than paying the price to actually make that change.
And our defense mechanisms allow them to spin that apparent contradiction to blame almost anyone except themselves.

Frankl was absolutely right.
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote/viktor_frankl_quote_dec8

So was Shaw
http://www.quotedb.com/quotes/3359

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RE: Sunday night rant - 8/6/2007 9:30:12 AM

gooddogbenji

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quote:

ORIGINAL: sublimelysensual

I do completely understand what you're saying. There are few things I complain about, government-wise, usually things I have no choice in, such as the oil situation you referenced. I have to buy gas. I have to pay whatever is being asked for it. When it comes to the point where I have to choose between buying gas to take the um to the park, or being able to pay a bill, well, I get a bit aggravated. Simply because I know what kind of profit the gas companies are hauling in right now. As I said..it's a trade-off, I guess. Just another point of view from one of the people complaining..lol..

This is exactly what I mean though. You hate the oil companies. Yet you pay them. Therefore, they have "domesticated" you. You are happy to take that easy solution over freedom.

That is your choice. However, if you pay into the scheme, you don't get to complain about it. Like I said, life is harder without the oil companies making our lives easier, but it IS doable. You give up taking the UM to the park, for example, but you can raise her to understand what it means to make a stand, live with principles, and be responsible for her actions.

Freedom aint easier. It's harder. A LOT harder. But either take it or don't ask for it.

Yours,

benji

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RE: Sunday night rant - 8/6/2007 9:41:05 AM

LotusSong

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Benji.. we did that and when our representatives try to get a bill passed..the ass-in-chief vetoes everything until something comes across his desk that is business as usual.

< Message edited by LotusSong -- 8/6/2007 10:12:18 AM >

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RE: Sunday night rant - 8/6/2007 9:51:29 AM

gooddogbenji

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Who elected him? The people. And who elected the other half of both houses? Half the people who wanted republicans.

Second, I aint saying this will take one election. This will take a few decades to clean out the old ways and bring in responsible politicians who do what the voters want.

Your rep voted with lobbyists? OUT! He didn't do what you wanted. End of story. If you have people in both houses who are on your side, the President can be removed from power at any moment.

Don't blame the president, blame the people who put and keep him there.

Yours,

benji

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RE: Sunday night rant - 8/6/2007 10:36:59 AM

Termyn8or

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Question : Where do you write in "Ron Paul" on a touch screen voting machine ?

T

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RE: Sunday night rant - 8/6/2007 10:51:50 AM

gooddogbenji

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Ron Paul is not the only guy who can do it. Thinking that he can is the expectation that he can olve your problems. He cannot. Only you can. If he gets elected, and does not live up, people need to accept that and vote for change again.

Don't make him responsible, that's what got us here in the first place.

Yours,

benji

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RE: Sunday night rant - 8/6/2007 11:53:14 AM

Termyn8or

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Years ago, I was more idealistic. I wanted to start a group - TCTNRA. The Committee To Not Reelect Anyone.

There are only a few things that would get me to the polls. They all include viable candidate with a chance of winning who understand the Constitution and how this country is supposed to be run. Someone with a voting record like Ron Paul's would do it.

Another thing that might do it, like for councilman or something, is for the candidate to show up at my house in a Tshirt, driving a pickup truck with the windows open, and telling me what he wants to do to clean up this mess. I would also appreciate being told not to expect miracles. That might do it.

Until then it is apparent that we cannot vote our way out of this. And it is going to stay that way until someone gets in who is not a lapdog for the party bosses.

But you are right, it is we who must do something. But what to do ? I'll tell you what to do. Get involved somehow in the selection of candidates. Of course this is easier said than done. But somehow we must, because it is either the ballot box or the cartridge box at this point. And for any violence to work, we need alot of support of the populace (to make it lawful and moral as well) and we will need 5-7 years of very smart people amassing the means to have a revolution.

And most people should know what that means, a big fucking mess, because it is war.

We must take the power to choose candidates from the political parties. If we can't do that, there is simply no use in voting. In the absence of Ron Paul on the ballot I would have to simply write my own name in. What good would that do ?

I'd be happy to collaberate with any and all who would wish to try to do this. But I don't chase foul balls. This comes down to choosing your battles wisely.

Just so happens the Constitution has emerged from the depths of my library. (bathroom that is) So I am reading it again. What comes to mind at the moment, is that the government is allowed to quell an insurrection, but the People are allowed to alter or abolish the government. Quite contradictory, and a recipe for war. Perhaps it was the best they could do.

So give me someone to vote for, war is hell. I don't want Kucinich, I know the guy and some of my crowd calls him "cocksnitch". He is for gun control and too many social programs. The impeachment effort was pleasing though, but as you can see it did not work.I happen to know Santiago too, and as much as I would vote for someone I know, he is not in my ward, and I am not sure I agree with his views, despite our association. It's nice to have friends in high places, but would I sacrifice principle to get it ? I am not talking about voting for him for city council. I mean if he moved forward into a bigger position, state rep or even the house. Or mayor or governor, do I want him there ? I just don't know. I think he is honest, but if his views are opposed to mine, what do I do ?

Thus rests the crux of the problem. It all comes back the same, who to vote for ?

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RE: Sunday night rant - 8/6/2007 12:13:11 PM

sublimelysensual

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quote:

ORIGINAL: gooddogbenji

quote:

ORIGINAL: sublimelysensual

I do completely understand what you're saying. There are few things I complain about, government-wise, usually things I have no choice in, such as the oil situation you referenced. I have to buy gas. I have to pay whatever is being asked for it. When it comes to the point where I have to choose between buying gas to take the um to the park, or being able to pay a bill, well, I get a bit aggravated. Simply because I know what kind of profit the gas companies are hauling in right now. As I said..it's a trade-off, I guess. Just another point of view from one of the people complaining..lol..

This is exactly what I mean though. You hate the oil companies. Yet you pay them. Therefore, they have "domesticated" you. You are happy to take that easy solution over freedom.

That is your choice. However, if you pay into the scheme, you don't get to complain about it. Like I said, life is harder without the oil companies making our lives easier, but it IS doable. You give up taking the UM to the park, for example, but you can raise her to understand what it means to make a stand, live with principles, and be responsible for her actions.

Freedom aint easier. It's harder. A LOT harder. But either take it or don't ask for it.

Yours,

benji

Unfortunately everything isn't all about free choice, as nice as it would be if it were. I have to take my daughter to the Dr's office 90 minutes away at least every other month, sometimes more. I have to go to the grocery store, etc. If those things were free choices, I probably wouldn't complain. But they're not. Could I not take her to the Dr, go to the grocery store, etc? If I wanted her to become extremely ill, or for us to not have anything to eat..sure. Does that make it a free choice? No, not in my mind. I will concede we could not go to the park, not go to dance lessons, but who's being punished there? She loves going to the park, she loves dance. I'm not going to deny her those things, no matter how financially strapped it might make us. Now, when I can take her to the Dr's office, go grocery shopping, etc, without using gas, you can believe I won't, but for now, that's not possible. As for making stands, teaching her principles, and responsibility for her actions, those are things she has seen in spades for reasons I won't go into here, and things she will continue to see. What it comes down to for me, is that until I have the option of not using gas/oil products, yes, I feel like I have the right to b*tch and moan about the price. And please don't bring up hybrid vehicles, etc..as I expressed on another thread, not a financial option for myself, or most other working middle class parents I know. Now biodiesel I could get into, but not available yet anywhere near me, unfortunately...

-a

-edited for mindlessness..lol-

< Message edited by sublimelysensual -- 8/6/2007 12:15:07 PM >

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RE: Sunday night rant - 8/6/2007 12:21:06 PM

gooddogbenji

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My point is that you will not be punished for giving that up. You are currently being rewarded by pandering to the causes of the oil companies.

Are there sacrifices in freedom? Yes. In order to be free of the tyranny of the various oppressors we each perceive (Be it political, economic, or even the cockroaches) we need to give things up. If you are not willing to, that's perfectly fine. But living with them but bitching about it is a tad hypocritical, in my books.

Note, please, that I don't not use gas or any such thing. I also have no issues with their profits. I aint hypocritical, because I don't criticise.

Yours,

benji

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RE: Sunday night rant - 8/6/2007 12:27:16 PM

gooddogbenji

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Here's the thing. We ELECT those people. We, the people, elect them, the leaders.

We can vote them out. If we do so, they lose their paycheck. The people we vote in will suck shit, but it will change things.

In the next election, more independants will run, because every riding (or whatever youcall it down south) will need a better candidate. Then we can elect the best ones.

Once we start getting good people back in, we watch them. We vote in and out based on job performance. If they give themselves a raise, they make themselves unpopular. So they don't, because they know we will vote them out again. They may even give up their pensions, kickbacks, and lies if we watch them.

If we don't vote at all, we validate them. If we vote for someone we think can win within the current system, we validate it.

The only way to win is to vote out anything we would not accept in our workplace.

Do your job right, or get out.

Yours,

benji

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