[Oe List ...] all the earth belongs to all the people

Sun Aug 30 14:52:19 CDT 2009

Some on this list that served in HDPs should be able to provide some context by offering some of their experiences in doing health programs. I recall JWM telling about some little pill that we got after some haggling with WHO officials that would wipe some sort of parasite that only affected men. There was also a great deal of work running well baby clinics.

David Walters   
  Susan and all,

  What a stimulating conversation!  Thank you, Marshall, for getting it started.  To respond to Susan, the American government is a government "of the people."  That's one of our core principles.  That means I'm the government, and so are you.  I am REALLY trying to figure out how to play a constructive role as an individual citizen, responsible for my government, in this health care debate.

  It is precisely from the place of kindness and generosity, which you mention below, that I wish to make decent health care available to my fellow human beings - and to which I, out of kindness and generosity, would gladly contribute to make happen.  We need to reclaim our ownership of our government - it is US.

  My thoughts.

  Marsha

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  From: Susan Fertig <susan at gmdtech.com>
  To: Order Ecumenical Community <oe at wedgeblade.net>
  Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2009 12:49:33 PM
  Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] all the earth belongs to all the people

  Jack and Paul, First of all, I appreciate your taking my question seriously and not just dismissing it as uncaring or unthinking.

  Next, I think what has always distinguished people of successful community is that they CHOOSE to care for each other.  Not that there is a governing body (the Soviet?) requiring it and thereby diminishing to nothing the human spirit.

  Finally, I do not believe that anyone or any government "owes" me medical care, or food, or a home, or a car, or any of the things that everyone seems to take for granted. If I am unable to provide those things for myself, then I truly do hope there will be kind and generous people who will help me.  But not, please God, my government.

  I have been so dismayed by our pell mell helter skelter descent into socialism within an oh-so-short handful of months that I am no longer a conservative.  I have lost all balance I ever had and have fallen right over into libertarianism (not, of course, the LaRouche style version).  

  Susan

  Susan Fertig-Dykes
  tel: (703) 751-5956

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  From: oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net [mailto:oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Jack Gilles
  Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2009 12:09 PM
  To: Order Ecumenical Community
  Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] all the earth belongs to all the people

  Dear Susan, 

  I too think this is a question that needs a thoughtful answer.  I am grateful for Paul's response as it is, as it should be, from the heart which is the means by which this community dialogues.

  I remember JWM reminding us that first and foremost we were born into humanity, not family, community or nation.  Therefore, it is the humanity of us all that we stand before as equals, and with a mutual responsibility.  That said, each of us has a responsibility for how that life is lived and cared for.  We bare the responsibility for our actions, including those that lead to consequences of illness and poor well-being.  But there are issues of wellness that are beyond our individual control, be those of birth, accident or social circumstances.  For these we need to ask, whom will be responsible for the healing and care?  In that question it is clear that our (USA) social structures and consciousness is in need of strengthening, including our understanding of death.

  We all know of the issues of families not willing to care for, nor honor the dignity and role of elders in their lives.  We have developed vast industries to hide this responsibility, to render the elders subservient to youth and deny a legitimate profound role in our collective community.  We also know that we have lost community in and through which care needs to be acted out.  We have seen so many fine examples of community care including many that have financial structural designs that seem to work well.  In a "perfect world" perhaps this model of caring community with equitable structures would be what we need to build.  I would share with what I imagine is your concern that once a "right" is designated at such a large level as the US economy and society things not only get complicated and often too expensive, but it keeps us from facing the more ontological needs of building our local communities and our individual responsibilities for ourselves and our neighbors.   It hinders the necessary dialogue on what care should we collectively render (i.e. unlimited end of life treatments at all costs, who gets transplants etc.).   We have a very profound dialogue that needs to occur around these issues that isn't taking place, at least at a national level.  In other words, the issue of "the right of care for all" when implied at the national level, is not dealing with the contradictions and therefore, I believe, will not lead to the solutions we need to develop.  Without elaboration, we who live in the Litibu community of Mexico are presently facing such community care issues.

  That said, it remains to say which present options being discussed will take us towards our goal of all of us caring for all in a way that brings us into full mutual love and responsibility.  I am not totally clear as to which model does that and what model keeps us further away from the real contradictions of our common good.

  Grace & Peace,

  Jack

  On Aug 29, 2009, at 2:46 AM, PSchrijnen at aol.com wrote:

    Why? What a great question, Susan.

    I was on top of Table Mountain yesterday. The cable car and facilities on top of the mountain were refurbished about 10 years ago, and Mandela opened it: declaring it SA's gift to the earth. He declared it so. An act of generosity.  Of hope. And most people on top of the mountain were South Africans, most of them black, but there were accents and shades of all colours of the rainbow. 

    So, thanks Susan, for letting me ponder that question.

    By the way, the top of Table Mountain is sacred space. There is an awe in the air. People whisper thoughtfully, aware of the presence of the mystery. I wept at times in the presence of this perspective on the beautiful earth on which I live. 

    Paul
    <table%20mountain.JPG>

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