[Dialogue] "One never know, do one?"

Mon Jul 11 12:28:54 EDT 2005

Democracy isn't our defining focus.  Representative Democracy is the playing
field in which we try to shape our common vision.  

The basic thrust of pro-choice is that women need to be in control of their
bodies, and not 'objects' for either sex or child bearing.  Sex and child
bearing are decisions that they want to be able to make without social or
legal restraint.

The thrust of the gay, lesbian and bi-sexual movement is that the ability to
make and sustain commitments, including partnering and child rearing, should
not be restricted to one gender orientation.

The thrust of those who are concerned about the poor and the underserved is
that the commitment of the entire society -- not just the 'volunteers' -- is
necessary for the care of all and the humane base for a society of growth
and possibility.  That does not contradict the charge of 'welfare-ism' in
the practice of many programs, but sustains it and asks that such care be
done in ways that value people's potential and evoke more, not less,
responsibility from all people.

A similar issue underlies labor and immigration folk:  Social and economic
designs are made for human beings to grow and develop, not to be objects of
manipulation or a hypocritical use-and-throw-away approach.

So:  
Responsibility means choice; Choice means responsibility.  
Laws to fit people, not people to fit laws.  
Government is how we all make decisions for all of us.  
Shape a future for all of us.  
Choice means freedom; Freedom means choice.  
Use things, love people or love things and use people.  
(Reminds me of the old 'Want peace?  Work for Justice!" line)
Every human being counts, and should.

The place to start, I'm convinced, is local -- precincts, city and county,
United Way and school board decisions. We need to figure out how to do it --
health care, housing, education -- from the bottom up.  We need to use the
models and the methods in the give and take of local decision-making to
shape decisions about how taxes are used and federal dollars applied.  Then
we need to move up the ladder with a base of demonstrated competence.  

I don't think we're going to solve a divisive, polarized situation by
pushing the vote on one candidate or another.  I appreciate those who've
chosen this direction, respect them and work to support them.  But our
skills lie in a different area, and we need a different -- dare I use the
word -- paradigm or image that isn't filled with jargon but with concrete
experience.

FWIW.

Bill Schlesinger
Project Vida
3607 Rivera Ave
El Paso, TX 79905
(915) 533-7057 x 207
(915) 490-6148 mobile
(915) 533-7158 fax
pvida at sbcglobal.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net
[mailto:Dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of David & Lin Zahrt
Sent: Monday, July 11, 2005 9:05 AM
To: Colleague Dialogue
Subject: RE: [Dialogue] "One never know, do one?"

How many more 'slogans' that would be wake-up calls?

Try Democracy, not Theocracy

DZ
>I agree that we need to build common images and get our leaders to express
>them often.  The Republicans have done this ever since Reagan's "The
>government is the problem.  Less government.  Less taxes.  Less
regulations.
>
>Here are some examples from my recently published letter to a newspaper:
>"Stop envirocide. Restore budgetary sanity. No unfair taxes. Stop crony
>corruption. Compete economically, not militarily. Medicare for all. Privacy
>for people, not government. Leave no person behind".  These need supporting
>detail, analysis of their meaning and responses they might produce, their
>uses, etc.  Dave Thomas
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net
>[mailto:Dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Bill Schlesinger
>Sent: Sunday, July 10, 2005 6:08 AM
>To: 'Colleague Dialogue'
>Subject: RE: [Dialogue] "One never know, do one?"
>
>
>
>
>Jim said, "Nevertheless, Bush is over extended.  Public opinion is shifting
>against him some.  But the faithful are still cheering him on.  What we
need
>is to find equally skillful ways to counteract his demagoguery and
encourage
>thougtful dissent."
>
>FWIW those who would counteract the current focus on individualism,
>self-protection and 'traditional social values' have no consistent image
>pulling them together beyond opposition.  There are those who focus on the
>social compact of mutual responsibility, those who focus on their personal
>reluctance to be part of the military and security costs, and those who
want
>more individual freedom in social choices than they see in the
>administration.  Those are the primary focus groups I see.  Their own
>internal opposition becomes clear when Jim Wallis is followed by the NOW
>folk who argue against his vision as well as the conservative evangelicals.
>
>This dis-array of alternative consensus models leaves the still-cohesive
>stream supporting the administration with its strength intact.  There may
be
>some internal frictions (specifically around Gonzales and immigration), but
>those are relatively minor in the face of the lack of an alternative
>consensus.
>
>We need to rebuild common images -- and that's even hard on this listserve.
>
>Bill Schlesinger
>Project Vida
>3607 Rivera Ave
>El Paso, TX 79905
>(915) 533-7057 x 207
>(915) 490-6148 mobile
>(915) 533-7158 fax
>pvida at sbcglobal.net
>
>
>
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>
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-- 
David Zahrt
22133 Larpenteur Rd
Turin, IA 51040   
(712) 353-6772 Phone

<mailto: david at country-homestead.com>
http://www.country-homestead.com
http://homepage.mac.com/lawrencebenne/Loess_Hills_Seminar/PhotoAlbum75.html
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