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for a more sensical society
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I just had to do this. Frankly, we all need to do this. We all need to educate ourselves as to what "make sense" in life... for a better life for everyone... and then do something about it! That it is our role in life. Because we are all connected in endless ways. Trite, but true. What goes around, comes around, for good and bad. Which is why we want to make sure that everyone has the best chance possible to do well in life. We can't guarantee a wonderful life for everyone, but we can work to ensure that everyone is as prepared as possible for life's challenges. Because when some people suffer needlessly, we all suffer eventually. For too long we've been told to 'make money', not sense. We've followed the leaders and lost our way. We’ve stopped thinking for ourselves and working together. Instead, we've trusted in authorities and institutions to advise and guide us, to solve our problems and make us happy. We've undermined our own integrity on a personal, local, national, and global basis. It's the natural consequence of making nonsensical decisions, based on bad information, and doing irrational stuff, resulting in sad situations. So, I've made it my business to encourage others to think for themselves and work with others... for the common good. Throughout history, people have been systematically attacked for the benefit of a greedy few. And today is no exception. We are being poisoned by Big Pharma, Big Food, & other business people who have released toxins into our environment & the marketplace. The banks and Wall Street are literally robbing us blind and keeping everyone in debt. Criminals and drug addicts roam our city streets at will. The media and our schools are failing to fully inform and properly educate. Taxes and the cost of living are too high, good jobs and affordable housing are too scarce, while government on every level is struggling to respond, or contributing to the calamity. Our elections are easy to rig from the inside and hack from the outside, using both high tech & old school tactics. It's not a pretty picture, but it's also nothing new. More than that, bad actors are an essential part of life, in that they require us to be prepared to defend our God-given rights. And what God gives, bad actors can take away, if we let them. The main reason for this ongoing disaster is that most people do not engage in politics in any meaningful manner. They do not understand that in order to elect and maintain effective town councils, responsive state legislatures, and a strong national government, these government entities need to be supported and monitored by politically active citizens. For example, we need real transparency in government, so that we can hold our public officials accountable. We need law and order and a strong military, as well as a society that cares for all of its members. We need to encourage personal responsibility, as well as protect the public's wellbeing. And we really need to return to small locally-owned farms, businesses, and newspapers, in order to preserve vital skills and knowledge. That said, we also need big businesses where necessary (steel mills, auto plants, etc.). We need to do all we can do locally, understanding that we must also work together both nationally and globally. And for this to happen, we need citizens to care about each other and really get involved. Frankly, citizens from all nations should engage in political participation, global cooperation, and self-reliance in all things, as much as possible (food, clothing, shelter, education, health, etc.) on a personal, local, state, and national basis. In the United States, we need to reclaim our privatized & computerized election system, regain control of our money supply, and break up the monopolies, including chain businesses. And the good news is, that we can do a lot on our own by making simple decisions, such as, 1) doing without, 2) leaning about our wild world and its uses, 3) make it ourself, 4) start our own business, 5) buy local, 6) use cash or debit, not credit, use credit unions, not banks. I talk in more detail about these issues in my "Make Sense" journal below. Who am I to give advice to others? A lifelong housewife-activist who hasn't had a paying job since 1978? Yet, that's the very point I'm trying to make. We should all be trying to make sense of the challenges we face daily - no matter what our circumstance. And, quite frankly, housewives have more opportunity than most to contemplate what's going wrong in our society, as well as the time to do something about it. When many wives and mothers went off to work, starting in the 1960's, the number of volunteers and activists in our schools and society-at-large fell dramatically...and to everyone's determent. I'm not suggesting that we turn back the clock, all the way, but staying home certainly has its advantages. Besides, in the field of giving advice, the so-called 'experts' certainly get things wrong all the time (aka doctors and COVID). Your average 'uneducated' truck driver often demonstrates more common sense than our over-educated and under-experienced college graduates. But honestly, we all have something to offer. "Making sense" is a daily exercise in which we should all participate. My advice is for you is to start your own "Make Sense" journal, like I have. Your journal can be your workbook as well as your fieldguide. It's not a static thing. My journal is always changing and expanding, covering anything and everything - from philosophy to foraging, from politics to pit bulls. It's about how we can create a more Sensical Society, if you will, for everyone's benefit. And that takes an ongoing effort... to address various issues and try to find practical solutions. I'm certainly not the last word on any given subject, having made my fair share of very questionable (and some really regrettable) decisions over the past several decades (since 1952). But life's experiences, both good and bad, are what we learn from and makes us better people. Trying to make sense of things is well worth the effort. It gives you 'skin in the game' of life and goalposts to aim for. Your "Make Sense" journal is a living document, a work-in-progress. It's a great way to exercise your brain, organize your thoughts, address your concerns, get yourself back on track, as well as offer some 'sage' advice to others. It's your ongoing legacy to family, friends, and strangers. It's your gift to the universe! Or, if you're really shy, you can keep it to yourself... although your thoughts and actions will always be 'out there' in the universe of everything, impacting every other thing all the time anyway. Just sayin. In a world where everything and everyone is connected in every conceivable way, you can't stop influencing others for good or otherwise. I sincerely encourage you to join the "Make Sense" movement. Because life is an evolutionary process in which we are all engaged, whether we want to or not. So, it makes sense to engage as wisely as possible for a more happy and healthy, robust and resilient society. And although one person or a small group can make a world of difference, it's more effective and fun if we all do our part to Make Sense for a more Sensical Society. Hope that inspires you. Go team! Get Sensical! And read on...
Lynn Landes, Author & Publisher
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Get Sensical!
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Get organized & politicalTHE BASICS:
GOV'T ISSUES:
MORE PERSONAL STUFF:
- Love & Sex
- Family Planning & Abortion
- Family Building & Adoption
- Marriage & Divorce
- Parents & Children
- Getting Stuff Off My Chest!
- My Favorite Things
- Simple But Sage Sayings
1. MAKE A PLAN & GET ORGANIZED
Get Your Act Together! Make a Plan, Organize Yourself, & Get Healthy. After all, it’s hard to help others if your life is a chaotic mess or you're feeling sickly and your mind is a muddle. Since your health is a really big subject, go to "Health" for that info. To give your life purpose, get 'goal oriented' so that you can be more productive, fulfilled, and happy. Your philosophy, attitude, goals, and objectives may change over time, but they will give you direction and help you stay focused. This is not rocket science, yet it's shocking how many people aren't organized. The public needs to get educated and schools should teach students how to get (and stay) organized. It's a fundamental life skill that can 'make or break' individuals and a society.
Too many people don't even do the everyday basics. They don't make their bed, put their things away, or even take a decent stab at decorating their home. I'm not suggesting that people be 'nasty neat' or get compulsive and develop OCD, but make an effort for Pete's sake! Respect yourself and your things. Your home (or room) should be your sanctuary... warm and cozy, neat and tidy, uplifting and inspiring. Similarly, your life should have goalposts that you can aim for. Otherwise, you'll likely be wandering around, wasting your time and energy on stupid stuff.
Make LISTS to help keep your life on track and balanced. Post them where you will see them - at your desk, on the frig, or next to your front door. Lists help remind you of important tasks that need to get done, as well as fun stuff. Just don't let your lists overwhelm you. Set realistic goals, be balanced, flexible, and pace yourself. Remember that life is a marathon, not a sprint. It's about work, play, and rest...pretty much in that order. Lastly, keep everything in perspective. Do your best, then let God (or the universe) do the rest.
- Problems & Solutions List: When things start to overwhelm you, list both the problems and possible solutions, and then get to work on it.
- Daily To-Do List: Think of it as triage, first list things you must do that day, then you can include tasks of lesser importance.
- Short Term Objectives: These are things that you want to accomplish in the next week or month.
- Long Term Goals could include: marriage, family, schooling, career, home ownership, voluntary activities, political aspirations, big vacations, etc.
- Make A Budget: Live within your means and avoid debt, because financial problems are a major source of stress.
- My Favorite Things: Create a list of books, movies, art, songs, sayings, jokes, photos, art, etc., that uplift and inspire you!
And don't forget to start your own "Make Sense" Journal... to help keep you on track, work through both simple and complex matters, and simply express yourself. It really helps clear your head... when you get things off your chest!
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2. ENGAGE IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS - Politics impacts every facet of our lives in profound and endless ways.
We all should be involved! Political parties and gatherings are the place where we can meet to discuss the issues of the day, recruit candidates for office, and hold our government accountable. That's not to say that political parties are perfect. Far from it. Which is why they need our help to do what's right and not go off the deep end into crazyland, corruption, or complacency. Which is also why your political party should meet regularly (at least monthly) to discuss the issues of the day. The political parties themselves should also get together on a monthly basis to maintain communications and find common ground. So, please don't be an "armchair patriot". Run for office or get involved in politics in other ways. It's where the action is. Besides, it's hard to improve things if you're on the outside looking in. And if you want to be heard, you must speak up because our political leaders are not mind-readers. No matter who is in public office, it's important to meet with them or write to your political representatives. Go to your local town or city council meetings, committee meetings, school board meetings and the like. Follow the issues, stand up and speak out, send emails, and write letters...using constructive criticism. And get your friends and neighbors to do likewise. Your voices really do make a difference. Today, most government public meetings are also broadcast online, cable, and radio. So, your audience can be quite large. The transcripts of government meetings, particularly "public comments", should be our weekly reading...because often-times those transcripts represent our true "FREE PRESS", with government officials on record and citizens often acting as the real journalists. Lastly, stay focused on the issues and discuss solutions that make sense for everyone!
For more details, see Gov't Issues, ProtocolsForDemocracy, Government Corruption, & PhillysRep.net
THE BASICS
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Making sense is a necessity of life. It's how our universe works. Why do we say, "Things happen for a reason"? Because they have to. The things that make up our universe don't operate independently of one another. Everything and everyone is connected, continually producing a cause and effect...all the while wearing away our rough edges, like sea glass. It's an evolutionary process. Making sense is the fundamental meaning, direction, and balance of life that keeps the stars in the sky and our universe moving forward. That's not to say that things can't get confoundedly confusing and chaotic at times, but there's a purpose to it all and lessons to be learned. Just as hurricanes clean out the mangroves, and floods feed the soil, seeming 'disasters' should be embraced as the necessities of life and opportunities for improvement that they truly are. Many people say that God's divine spirit of 'unconditional love' is at the core of everything. And I agree. Yet, what else is God's unconditional love but a caring concern and respect for all things, including for yourself and others, in a manner that 'makes sense'? Some people could confuse crazy 'blind love' with unconditional love, but they are not the same thing. One makes sense and the other doesn't. So, for the purposes of My "Make Sense" Journal, I focus on 'making sense' with unconditional, but 'sensical' love, as a given. (That's as clear as mud and perhaps not a great beginning for my journal, but I'm sticking with it for now.) See Philosophy ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Duality is everywhere, so beware of false choices. In many if not most cases, each choice has its pros and cons. So, there may be no completely correct answer or solution to any single question or problem. Moreover, we should allow for the use of two or more opposing solutions for simple and complex issues alike, such as the benefits of both: public & private education, free health care & private options, capitalism & socialism, primitive skills & high technology, bartering & money, rock & classical music, Democrats & Republicans, etc.. Some decisions are necessary, but also tragic. Congress has dealt with those decisions frequently, making sometimes painful concessions in order to pass legislation for the greater good. A classic historic example concerns America's Founding Fathers, who agreed to continue slavery (in order to gain the support of the Southern colonies), so that we could break free from Great Britain. The saving grace was that their stated good intention of 'democracy for all' became a guiding light and eventually came to fruition. And that is common, that profoundly good decisions can take a long and winding road before they become reality. Discussing & Defending Your Decisions - Try to engage respectfully in any defense or debate over your decisions. Treat it more like a discussion instead, and acknowledge the pros and cons of the subject at hand. Always keep an open mind, which includes a willingness to change your mind if circumstances dictate. Your respectful and open attitude will make any discussion or debate a more rewarding experience for all concerned. Practical steps to making sense on any subject:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE DOCTRINE OF RISK MANAGEMENT - Diversify! Spread Risk, Don't Concentrate It
As the saying goes, "Don't put all of your eggs in one basket." Back up your Plan A with a Plan B, C, or D, if necessary. It's a basic principle of risk management and of life... spread risk out, don't concentrate it. This is why mass medications, such as vaccines, are a really bad idea, as they can act as a Trojan Horse, intentionally or by accident, potentially harming or even killing large numbers of people. It is also why we have a government with checks and balances (sort of); why the U.S. Congress passed anti-trust legislation (although not well enforced); and why an unelected One World Government with enforcement powers is a really bad idea (i.e., The Word Health Organization). It's why the power grid and other public utilities should be government-owned and locally operated (which many are not anymore), so that if there is a disaster, natural or manmade, large swaths of the country will not be without power, water, etc.. That's why "self-reliance" on a personal, local, regional, and national basis - knowing how to live with our wild world and do lots of things yourself - is essential to any real security. And that's also why you shouldn't obsess over things like sports teams, endlessly redecorating your house, or relentlessly taking photos of yourself. What if it all goes up in flames? Then what? Instead, keep your interests diverse and use your time wisely on truly deserving projects that, in the long run, will benefit both yourself and society. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In other words, we should live our lives for the ‘common good’, not the ‘favored few’. That is not an endorsement of communism or a criticism of capitalism, but instead a recognition that although strong leaders and competition are necessary for our evolution into a better world, we also don't want to leave others behind unnecessarily. That said, we should also avoid mindless compassion. Enabling people to do things that are not in anyone's best interests, such as drug addiction, is not compassionate. It's destructive to both the individual concerned and society at large. To be sure, there will be times when we must make demands of each other, give way to righteous anger, defend ourselves against attack, and even imprison those who have gone seriously astray. But our demands must be just, our anger should be followed by sensible solutions, our defense in proportion to the attack, and prisons focused on rehabilitation, not punishment. It's also good to keep in mind that we are not all born with identical capabilities, which initially sounds unfortunate, if not unfair. But, it's that diversity of talents and characteristics that helps humanity survive and thrive (i.e., The Doctrine of Risk Management). Humanity needs a meaningful philosophy to serve as our foundation in life. So, what makes better sense than, The Family of Life - Everything's Connected So Everything Gets Respected. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Be realistic. If you think that life was meant to be "a bowl full of cherries", or fall into a rut that "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence", then you're bound to be repeatedly and profoundly disappointed. Life is not linear. Life is meant to be challenging as well as charming. If you put in the work, then you can hope for incremental improvements and temporary setbacks - two steps forward, one step back. But there are no guarantees. Life is all about learning lessons. Take comfort in that knowledge, so that the next time something supposedly 'goes wrong', you won't think if it as a 'bad thing', but instead you'll embrace it as yet another lesson to be learned, another 'character-building opportunity' that you can benefit from, so that you can continue to improve both yourself and society. A "positive attitude" is a powerful force that can help you on your way, but don't let it blind you to life's realities. Understand that, in general, good things will not happen without an honest effort and hard work on your part. To meet life's challenges, we should aim to be 'universal' beings, embodying a diversity of knowledge and experiences, skilled to perform as many tasks as possible, prepared to face both victories and defeats, but not forgetting to have fun in the process. Our goal is for an exciting and exhilarating life, full of charms and challenges, victories and defeats, all of which in the fullness of time, will improve life for everyone. We absolutely can have more vibrant cities, beautiful towns, and a lovely countryside filled with happy and industrious people. We simply need to set our sights on those goals, figure out how best to achieve them, and then take the necessary steps to get where we want to go... but also understanding that we're not in heaven. We're here on earth, learning our life lessons. So things will never be perfect.
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It's comforting to believe in these things, even if we can’t prove it, and even if it isn’t true. Why? Consider the alternative, that there is no divine power to help us through this life, that we're all alone in this world without any spiritual force to turn to, and that at any moment we could all be doomed? That’s not only depressing, it's completely disabling! Physically and emotionally. It paralyzes people into believing that they are helpless and hopeless. And who would want that? Which is why we need to believe in higher powers, even if they don't exist. But that's not the only reason. Perceptions can become reality, for good and ill, at least for awhile. In fact, doctors and healers have known for centuries of the power of belief to heal the sick through the use of rituals and placebos (i.e., sugar pills). And, the opposite is also true. Negative beliefs can destroy and kill. Which is why it's a good idea for people to stay positive, but with their eyes wide open. Buddha said: 'We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.' Not sure I totally agree with all of that, because 'reality' has a way of winning out in the end, even over the most carefully constructed brain washing schemes by the dark side. However, Buddha has a point. Lots of damage can occur, and centuries can sometimes pass, before most people wake up to realize what's really going on. ALL THAT SAID, there is overwhelming evidence of God, a divine power who offers us all limitless help, love, and joy, as well as evidence of a universal consciousness and other dimensions to life. Much of that evidence come from the millions of people who have had NDEs (near death experiences). And I believe them. I also strongly believe in the power of prayer, asking for help, giving thanks, and simply talking to God, which I do throughout the day. Just thinking positive thoughts can send powerful messages out into the universe for others to receive. At the end of the day, it just feels better to empower yourself and others through good intentions, strong beliefs, and hard work. It really helps us all better manage life's ups and downs. And that makes sense to me. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I really hesitate
to say this, but in my opinion, most
religions make many people feel good about themselves, without doing
much good for society. In fact, it's amazing how many religious groups
don't even support voting in political elections.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_rejection_of_politics ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We can be proud of our country, state, town, political party... our family, friends, ethnicity, religion... school, college, employer, sport teams, and even ourselves, but let's not let pride, loyalty, or patriotism blind us to reality or convince us to do the wrong thing. That attitude can corrupt our character, distort our thinking, and lead us into making very poor decisions. Celebrate accomplishments and acknowledge faults. Stand firmly for what you believe in, do the right thing, try to coax others to your point of view, but always keep an open mind. And please don't make enemies unnecessarily. Your ferocious foe in one conflict... can be your ardent ally in another. Remember, we're all part of the Family of Life, so let's keep our pride, loyalty, and patriotism in perspective!
MANNERS MATTER
because they do!
Here are some simple tips:
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Learn
from everything - the good and bad, the large and small, the day and
night. Everything has something to offer, something to teach us,
including our gut instincts. Question everything. Don't assume or
trust. Keep
things as simple as possible in order to avoid unnecessary chaos and
confusion. And don't let aspirations toward perfection be the enemy of
what is realistically possible. 
We are all living through the “School Of Life” with endless
lessons to teach us all. So, patience and persistence are
required. And what should our goals be? We should strive to
create an 'environment
of excellence', not a 'culture of complacency'. Set high goals and
good intentions, like 'World Peace' and building a 'Paradise on Earth'
for everyone's benefit, but do so with a balanced approach to life. Pace yourself - make time for work, play,
and rest. And manage your expectations.
What's
the basic difference between character and attitude? Here's my definition: Our character is the core
reason why we behave the way we do, and our attitude is how
we behave. So, we should match a solid set of beliefs and morals by
following through with our actions. For example, lots of people spend an
inordinate amount of time yelling at the TV over the politics of the day,
but never get out of their chair to do something about it. Some people
call them "armchair patriots". Thomas Paine elaborated in 1776,
“THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the
sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their
country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man
and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this
consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the
triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness
only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper
price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an
article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.”
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It
makes sense to believe in a loving and benevolent God, a higher power,
supernatural forces, and our loved ones who have passed on, who we
can talk with, pray to, and ask for help. It's relieving to think that
they are watching over us and guiding us to do the right thing.
It's consoling to believe that everything happens for a reason, that there
are no coincidences in life, and that ‘all will be well’ in the end...
although perhaps not in this life, but eventually. I believe in reincarnation
and that every life we lead is another step toward becoming a more perfect
person in an ever-improving world. I believe that God sees everything
that we do, that we go through a life review after we've passed, which
also serves as a strong incentive to do the right thing in
our current life. And I also believe that between our lives we all rest in
heaven... that there is no hell.
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First, as a Republican, I strongly support universal health care with a private option. It will be good for both people and businesses, as it cuts costs, red tape, and stress. That said, our health care system is only as good as the science behind it, and unfortunately, we've experienced decades of bad science for people and the planet. So, it is largely up to us to take care of ourselves, while working politically to get our health care system on the right track. What we have today in the U.S. is a nightmare for all concerned. We are being systematically poisoned by industrial emissions, toxic products, plus dangerous and deadly medical remedies (particularly vaccines and radiation). What can you do? Listen to your body, do your research, and DO NOT TRUST doctors or public health officials because their education and agendas are too often based not on the public good, but on private profits for themselves, the health care industry, Big Pharma, and insurance companies. In addition, many of the "health screenings" for various diseases, can actually cause the very disease they claim to cure (i.e., mammograms). And likewise, "wellness checks" for children are often opportunities for doctors to browbeat parents into giving their children unnecessary and harmful drugs and vaccines. Also, keep in mind that mass medication (such as vaccines) opens the door wide to mass contamination or poisoning, either by accident or design. I realize that I sound like a paranoid nut job, but unfortunately this is the result of the power-crazed-money-mad world we live in. Adopt the Doctrine of Risk Management. Do as much as possible to enhance your own health before going to a doctor, unless it's an emergency, of course. BTW, the number one best all-around medicine and antibiotic, in my opinion, is a very common wild weed called Plantain or Plantago. It's also good for all kinds of other health issues, including cancer, fungus, toxins, and radiation. And that means a lot to me because I'm allergic to most antibiotics, but not plantago. That said, it is a blood thickener, so must be used with caution. Learn more at https://www.wildfoodies.org/Plantain,Broadleaf.htm & https://www.wildfoodies.org/Plantain,Narrowleaf.htm Our health is our number one asset, so it makes sense we treat our bodies with the utmost care from the day we are born to the day we die. Everything we do to our bodies impacts everyone else, particularly future generations. For example, our water is not filtered for everything, especially not all toxins, medications, or addictive substances, including caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. So, the 1-2 million eggs girls are born with (and which diminish over time) are affected by all of that. Which is why it is so important to take the toxins out of our environment and improve our diet to the greatest degree possible. We need to look at everything we eat, drink, use, or are exposed to with an eye toward what constitutes good health for everyone, now and in the future. So many Americans are so unfit and unhealthy that most of our young people can't qualify to be in the military, and that seriously sabotages our national security. And don't even mention "body shaming". We should be ashamed if we let ourselves go. And it's just hard on our bodies, carrying around all that excess weight all day long. We also need to maintain a healthy weight because toxins like to hide in our fat cells, which can lead to cancer and many other diseases. More importantly, overweight mothers pass those toxins on to their unborn children, as well as through breastfeeding. And what kind of mother thinks that's a good thing? So, man up, lose the weight, and get fit. How do we protect both ourselves and others? Keep things simple. Of course, our government should ban or phase out toxins as quickly as possible, which means that we should get politically active and make sure that happens. But in the meantime, we should also so as much as we can as individuals. Learn how to do without. It's of the easiest and most effective way to save the environment. I don't wear make up or perfume, color my hair, do the nail thing, or buy almost any personal care products, plus I don't use house or lawn chemicals, etc.. Instead, I use mint tea for general housecleaning (floors, dusting, mirrors, etc.) and a combination of plantago/plantain, chamomile, & duck fat in my bath. I saved a lot of time, money, and effort when I simplified my life and stopped buying stuff I didn't need anyway. We can also make our own things, use non-toxic materials, and discover our wild world for food, fiber, medicine, and more. Why? Because we'll never really know what toxins may be lurking inside commercial produce or products that come from far-away locations. Even government regulatory agencies and organic standards can't protect the public from secret ingredients that can be harmful to our health. We should also minimize our exposure to radiation from various sources, and reconsider the use of LED lights. And not everything is about toxins. Think twice about wearing over-cushioned shoes, low-hanging pants, and tight clothes. Even sitting in bucket car seats can affect your spine and give you leg pain. Many sports need to be redesigned as to not injure participants unnecessarily. Try a daily dose of moderate exercise, mindful walking, and a bit of line dancing.
That said, we can also go the "passive" route so that we don't need artificial sources of heating or cooling. For example, the smaller the rooms, the easier you can heat them with your own body heat. Or, in the summer heat, open your basement windows and top floor windows, hang some damp towels in between, which builds a draft to force the cool basement air up into your house. You can do the same thing by opening your front and back doors. In the South, historically the poor lived in "shotgun" houses, which are long narrow houses that maximize the draft from one end of the house to the other. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_house Straw bale homes are naturally insulated from the heat and the cold. You can also heavily insulate your house with chemical-free hemp insulation, wools, and other fibers, etc. Also, learn how to collect and filter your own rain water with plants. You know the drill. And there are many websites to help you on your way to a greener and simpler lifestyle. We also need to adopt a Zero Waste mandate to safely recycle or store our waste. It's also a matter of math and limited land. It doesn't make sense to build landfills or cemeteries because they contaminate the air, soil, and water, plus they'll eventually cover the globe if we don't knock this nonsense off! Not sure how we got this stupid, but money is usually at the bottom of it. At this point, we really need to mine our landfills for resources, as well as to protect our environment. Same idea for our cemeteries, so that we can turn them into parks and farms.
Recap of what you can do:
My mantra is "Healty Planet, Healthy People"!
Learn more at:
WildFoodies /
HealthAlertPhilly /
HealthChecklist
/
ZeroWasteAmerica /
PhillyKnits.org |
Use food-as-medicine and learn about wild herbal remedies, rather
than to rely on drugs and supplements with their mystery ingredients. Personally, I avoid all processed foods in order to get a good
nights sleep. If I don't eat well, I don't sleep well. I also avoid
dairy (possible carcinogen, encourages colds), glutens (causes
coughs, encourages odor and fungus), strong spices, nightshade
plants (inflammatory), too much acid from various sources (hard on the
esophagus), as well as soy (too much estrogen), nuts and seeds (anything
that can get caught up in my colon), and processed foods, in general. In
particular, I think dairy should be avoided as a possible carcinogen due
to estrogen content, and why would you want to eat something that was
meant for baby cows that need lots of hormones to grow into huge animals,
also it thickens your mucus which makes you more
susceptible to colds. No matter what your illness, look first at your diet
and surroundings.
It's troubling to hear the number of people
who would rather take a mystery medication or supplements, than simply adjust their diet
or daily habits in order to solve their health problems. To my knowledge,
there are few medicines that have no seriously harmful side effects.
Avoid
"socially acceptable drugs" - alcohol, caffeine (including chocolate), nicotine, marijuana, etc.
All these are addictive drugs that increase anxiety, not decrease
it.
There are no shortcuts to good health and true happiness, which
is why I strongly believe that we should all embrace a sober and "drug
free" approach to life and completely avoid 'socially acceptable' drugs,
that actually make us less able to properly cope with life's daily ups and
downs. Many people don't fully appreciate the serious side
effects of these socially acceptable drugs, which can cause their bodies
to produce an overload of estrogen, a female hormone that can play havoc
with our emotions, cause cancer,
and disrupt sexual development. In addition, alcohol makes people more
impulsive, quick to anger, and lose self control. What condition do you
want to be in if a real emergency occurs and you have to rescue others?
How would you feel if your friends or family needed you, but you were too
buzzed to help out? Meanwhile, caffeine can cause the hardening of
the breasts, including cysts, which could be a precursor to cancer.
Nicotine is a well known carcinogen. And marijuana can cause dangerous and
deadly psychotic episodes. And the pregnant women who consume these drugs are
endangering themselves and their unborn babies. Sadly, the sheer amount of
time that parents waste on taking these drugs, particularly smoking
cigarettes, robs their children of precious
time with them, which does not go unnoticed by the kids. It's a kind of
child neglect that many parents will eventually and profoundly regret.
There's a better way to approach life. People
should look forward to good food and healthy fun instead. It really helps
when bars offer non-alcoholic "mocktails", herbal non-caffeinated teas,
and healthy broths. Also, knitting etc (aka the fiber arts) are a great
way to keep your hands busy and calm your mind (depending on the
complexity of the project). Staying addicted to these drugs is like people
who can walk, yet won't get rid of their crutches. They've forgotten how
to live life without artificial supports. They need to let go and move
forward with their lives. Addiction impacts us all, so we all need to work
together on this issue and give the "drug free" approach the support it
deserves, starting with public education. Good health is
about our minds as well as our bodies. We need to surround ourselves with
uplifting and inspiring people, places, things, and thoughts, so that when
bad stuff happens, we're ready to turn those lemons into lemonade!
ABOUT
THE PLANET, what re really need is a federal or even global effort, like a
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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
'FREE SPEECH': Let's keep what we mean by "free speech" as simple as possible, although it can get complicated. It is illegal to say certain things in a certain way, such as "fire!" in a crowded theater, unless there really is a fire. Or to deliberately and maliciously libel someone. That said, free speech has always been under attack by those who don't agree with what others have to say, lately by claiming that it is hate speech, disinformation, and misinformation... regardless of the facts. It should be unconstitutional to ban people from social media, public events, financial institutions, stores, events, etc. that constitute the "public square", just because those in control don't agree with what others have to say... as happened to many conservative and anti-COVID-mandate activists (including myself) during the Biden Administration. Moreover, government should help promote 'free speech' by publishing "comment sections" on their home and departments webpages, for those who want to go "on the record", which keeps out the crazies largely contained and elevates the discussion. In addition, every neighborhood should have a physical bulletin board (or telephone pole) that the public could use, so that the public is not entirely reliant on electronic communications. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We need to break up the "chain" or "syndicate" newspapers, radio, television news, cable news, etc.., and re-establish a local news media based on local individual subscribers, not investors nor advertisers. That way the public would have a bigger say in what is reported. A fair press reports on all sides of any issue and gives all sides equal coverage through its reporting and opinion pages, AND NOT TAKE SIDES. They should also host an online comment section under their various articles, but require people use their real names. Of course, that's not what we currently have from most of our mainstream media, who have clearly chosen sides, both left and right. So, what can we do right now? Search out alternative voices and support those who report the truth despite being harassed by governments. Personally, I read TheGatewayPundit.com for politics, plus watch Fox News, NewsMax, and other conservative media, although I don't agree with some of what they say. When I was younger I was far more liberal, but then the political parties and their issues changed and so did I. Experience is a great teacher, and every age has something new and different to offer. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
To return transparency to our elections, we need to adopt the following protocol: hand cast and hand counted paper ballots at local precinct polls on Election Day only, with the results reported on Election Day only, all done under the watchful eyes of election observers or watchers. The only exception would be voting at polling places located in U.S. embassies and on U.S. military bases. We should NOT be voting by machines, computers, e-mail, absentee, mail-in, drop boxes, ballot harvesting, late counting, central counting facilities, etc., as the counting goes on for days and sometimes months. In addition, the ballots could be shortened to only 3 races per year (see table below) and no ballot questions (see more on that below), so that: 1) voters don't get "ballot fatigue" and confusion, which can discourage voting, 2) have a better chance of knowing who the candidates are, and 3) the counting goes more quickly. Lots of races are simply not necessary, such as for Prothonotary, Register of Wills, etc.. Eliminating these elective offices also gives state governors, municipal mayors, and county commissioners executive authority and accountability, as does the president of our nation, which makes sense to me. In order to make the example below work, the we need to make some significant changes, including to the Constitution, in order to lessen the U.S. Senate term from 6 to 4 years. Frankly, 6 years is really too long, anyway. The National Convention Delegate, Alternative Delegate, and State Committee could be elected within their party structures, perhaps. I need to research this issue further. Regarding elections for judges, few voters know who the candidates for judges are. Perhaps a better idea would be for the lawyers, licensed to practice in that voting district, to vote for the judges at a publicly specified place, time, and date. Another issue that needs more research.
'OPEN VOTING': In an admittedly bold move, since no one ever mentions this historical option, I also suggest that we experiment with ditching the "secret ballot" and conduct "open voting" for some elections. That's the only way everyone can know how everyone voted. It would all be part of the public record. The secret 'anonymous' ballot is the single biggest reason that we can't truly audit any election. It began to be used after the Civil War, to 'protect' voters from intimidation. Before then, how people voted was public knowledge. What the secret ballot did was to open the doors wide to undetectable vote fraud and unverifiable election results. Likewise, "exit polls" were first introduced in 1964 by the major news networks who at the same time introduced computer ballot-counting machines. A coincidence? I think not. The fundamental concern that the promotion of 'secrecy' as 'voter protection' has encouraged a kind of cowardice among the electorate, where few people are encouraged to engage is civil discourse, speak their minds, test their political positions, or stand up for what they believe it. I've written about voting in detail at ProtocolsForDemocracy.org PUBLIC POLLS: We need the government to conduct 'public polls' BEFORE legislation is passed. Our political leaders can't represent the 'will of the people' if they don't know what it is in any meaningful manner. Unfortunately, private political polls, like our current election system, are nontransparent and untrustworthy as well. Think about it. We're using anonymous political polls to predict and verify anonymous voting results. It's completely nonsensical!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PUBLIC CAMPAIGN FINANCING & OUTREACH: We've got to take the money completely out of the election process, particularly foreign money. However, due to the Citizen's United decision etc., it will take an Act of Congress to fix it. Regardless of what happens with that, here are some political campaign suggestions. Before any election, the government could make available the following: 1) Three televised debates for candidates, the last one being a week before the election, 2) Three 'town hall' meetings so that ordinary citizens can meet and ask questions of candidates in a public and televised setting, 3) Provide candidates 3 free mail-outs and one free campaign website to fill with their own content, and 4) Mail out a list of questions with the candidates' replies, so that voters can know where the candidates stand on the issues and can be held accountable if they break their promises. These protocols will, hopefully, help guard against electing to office candidates who may be physically, mentally, or emotionally unfit for office.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDITIONAL ISSUES:
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PROS
& CONS OF "DIRECT DEMOCRACY": As well as voting
for their political
leaders, citizens in certain states have the opportunity to vote directly
on specific issues and legislation statewide.
POLITICAL
PARTIES:
We need political parties to promote issues, recruit
candidates, and run elections. And we urgently need voters to understand how important it is to get involved.
If good people don't show up, other people will. So, please join the the party of your choice and consider running
for "committee person" or other elective office. No matter which party you belong to, it's best to find common ground
for the common good in a manner that makes sense!
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BE PREPARED & RENEW THE
POSSIBILITY OF A DRAFT
- Every citizen, including students, should be trained to defend themselves and their country, as civilians are often drawn into
wars and other hazardous situations. The downside of a 'volunteer'
military is that it creates a 'warrior class' that can control or take
over government. Worse yet, it also allows citizens to disconnect from
their nation's defense and foreign policy, under the misguided impression
that it has nothing to do with them, when it most certainly does. We don't
need armchair patriots. We need all our citizens to have the skills,
training, and courage it takes to protect themselves, their community, and
their country against harm. So, although it makes sense to take volunteers
over draftees, in some cases, a selective draft may be necessary.
All NATIONS
NEED SECURE BORDERS: A country cannot exist if it has no border
security. If anyone can come in, then that can quickly build into a
'de facto' invasion. Open borders also means open season for drug
and human traffickers. Countries need to manage their own affairs, like we
manage our homes and families. We lock our doors when we leave our house,
so that we don't get unwanted visitors. We plan for the amount of food,
clothing, and shelter we need, so that we don't run out.
Well-managed countries operate the same way. That said, solid border
fences can also do serious harm to wild life that need to migrate
seasonally, so that's a complication that needs to be addressed.
It looks like what we may need is a federal ID that people must carry as proof
that they are citizens of the country in which they reside.
THE
POLICE & DISTRICT ATTORNEYS
need to be supported, but also need to do their jobs properly. In too
many cities there is a "soft on crime" approach to law enforcement. Yes,
lots of things need to be done to prevent crime (youth programs, skills
training, jobs, affordable housing, etc.), but once the crime has been
committed, the offender needs to be arrested, prosecuted, and
rehabilitated... in prison if necessary. Offenders need to know there will
be serious consequences for their actions. District Attorneys, who
don't enforce the law, should be fired, impeached, and/or sued on the
grounds of "violation of their oath of office to enforce the law". For police who do not do
their job, they should be retrained or fired. People need to be held
accountable for their actions and inaction, both offenders and enforcers.
NO
BAIL, NO RELEASE, & SPEEDY TRIALS:
We should have "no bale nor release", but "quick justice" within 24
hours for most crimes, as they have done in some sports stadiums for
unruly fans. But, absolutely no bale or release for violent
offenders, repeat offenders, or flight risks. It's understandable
that there are complaints about a 2-tiered justice, one for the rich and
the other for the poor. It's not fair and should not be allowed.
Quick justice is a better solution, with ample opportunity for offenders
to appeal while in jail, per usual, or ask for a jury trial. And a jury
trial should not cost more than a non-jury trial, plus the jurors should
be selected via lottery - no more jury shopping.
WHITE COLLAR CRIME:
People should go to jail if they violate the law. Period. There
should be no exceptions for government employees, business owners, and
corporations... but it happens all the time, particularly with Big Pharma
and their vaccines, opioids, and other drugs. White Collar justice is a
racket where corporations pay fines to (aka, payoff) the government, and
then write off the expense as the cost of doing business. Millions
of people have been injured or died, yet few Big Pharma executives or
their government counterparts ever go to jail. The same goes for the
financial, chemical, and other industries. These criminals need to go to
jail and pay fines that will wipe out any profits they made or will make;
plus pay for the pain and suffering that they may have caused. See:
PRISONS & SOLITARY
CONFINEMENT: Rehabilitation and skills training should be the
focus of any prison, not punishment. And certainly NOT solitary
confinement, which can easily drive sane people crazy. This is society's
best chance to make troubled people better, for everyone's sake. Plus,
inmates should be in local prisons where their friends and family can
visit them. That said, 'private prisons' are not a good idea, as their
business model depends on prisoners, which is a huge conflict of interest,
obviously. Prisons should be considered a public necessity, not an
investment opportunity.
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Every individual, community, and country should be self-reliant in the basic needs of life as possible, and prepared for any emergency natural or man-made, as well as protected from foreign interference and control. For what else is government's role, but to serve as society's 'protector', while our role as individuals and communities, is to be 'prepared' for anything that may come our way?
But don't panic. This is nothing new. Down through history, those who wanted to dominate others and hoard power, always began by dividing and conquering. And one of the most popular ways to conquer a society is to destroy a nation's self-sufficiency and local self-reliance. In American Colonial times, the colonies supplied the raw materials to Great Britain's manufacturers, but were banned from manufacturing products themselves. The American Revolution was fought, in large part, so that the colonists could make their own products, as well as control their own destiny. Today, we have lost much of what our forefathers fought for, and we desperately need to get it back. WHAT CAN WE DO?
Persuade your local government draw up and execute plans for "Emergency Preparedness", as well as to be "Locally Self-Reliant". Advertisements, Public Service Announcements (PSA), etc., should be used to educate the public. Government authorities also need to take 'land use' planning seriously and set aside land for farming, foraging, fishing and hunting. The sprawling suburbs can be reconfigured into "towns", and property owners can be encouraged to convert their lawns into micro-farms or wild spaces, as everyday common weeds and non-native plants can provide a wealth of resources. We also need import bans and steep tariffs on foreign goods, as well as bans on foreign ownership of businesses, land, non-profits, etc., are effective ways to protect a nation's businesses. Foreign ownership is a foreign "conquest" of a nation's assets by any other name. Governments should also ban private or foreign ownership of public utilities, which should never be subject to market forces, in any case, as we all depend on them. Public utilities include: ports, water, power, electric, gas, roads, roads, bridges, tolls, communications, elections, money, etc.. Some see 'protectionism' as isolationist and nationalistic, but that's not true. It makes sense for every nation to protect is citizens and resources as much as possible. There's nothing "free" about free markets. It's a race to the bottom, as businesses scour the planet looking for cheap, if not slave, labor.
LINKS: WildFoods / Be Prepared / First Aid / DIY & Buy Local / PhillyKnits ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
Unfortunately,
governments around the world
have helped create our current 'disaster of dependency'.
Under the false flag of the "free market" and "free trade", they have
sold out their citizens for private profit. Today, most Americans
are completely dependent on others for their bare essentials. We used to
be a land of small farmers, businesses, and manufacturers. Now we're
a land of open borders and chronic consumers. That's societal suicide.
We're sitting ducks for any disaster - natural or manmade. 
We
need to learn how to survive and thrive without imports and commercial
products, as much as possible.
(see links at top) We need to learn how to respectfully
and responsibly use our wild world to make our own things, for food,
fiber, medicine, and much more. We need restore our manufacturing
and cottage industries, as well as grow crops, make clothes, build houses,
and tend to all of our needs, with the focus on "Locally Made" or "Made In
America" products. Our local governments should provide open markets
and online catalogues 'rent-free' for people to sell their products and
services. And our schools, communities, and parents can lead the way
by teaching a wide range of skills to both adults and children. This will
all go a long way toward connecting us to reality, nature, and each other.
Monopolies,
aka "chain" businesses,
that suffocate local small businesses and destroy the uniqueness,
diversity, and self-sufficiency of local communities worldwide, should be banned. This applies to "chain" law firms, "chain" accountants,
"chain" real estate businesses, newspapers, etc.. Another reason to ban chain
businesses is the same reason not to connect our power grid too broadly
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Too often, we make money, not sense. Money is probably the trickiest issue we face... with no easy answers. It seems that you can't live with it and you can't live without it. That said, money must be managed extremely carefully, like a stick of dynamite. Money offers such an overwhelming incentive for people to do the wrong thing, that it has become a real threat to the success of any society. Too many people will do anything for money, or conversely...do nothing at all, and not speak up about important issues of the day for fear that they could lose their job. Frankly, our economic system is a financial form of servitude, forcing people to play along even if they are completely self-sufficient. So, it makes sense to minimize our need for money through local and personal "self-reliance", as much as possible. There is a way to live in a society where money is not involved, for instance, barter societies, but in general they haven't worked for larger populations. Maybe those kind of societies can be our goals, but in the meantime, it's going to take money to get people to go to work and do jobs that are vital to a modern society.
We can all agree that “money” is a necessary tool for the exchange of goods and services . For most of human history, money was created and controlled by those who governed (i.e., kings, queens, religious groups, political leaders, etc.). And that was the case in colonial America, as well as at various times during our history. For many centuries, gold or silver were used as money, until that became impractical. As a result, coins and paper (aka scrip) became money, which were often, but not always, backed by gold, silver, or other physical assets. Today, most money is not backed by any physical assets. Creating money is basically a book keeping entry. It’s mostly digital money, but also includes paper and coins. It’s called Fiat currency, which means it is backed by nothing other than the “full faith and credit” of the governments issuing it. And therein lays the problem. Most governments are no longer issuing nor controlling their own currency. The banks are. And most people don’t realize this. What is the main difference between the government controlling the money supply versus the banks? Governments create and control money as a “public asset” or “public utility”, while banks do it for “private profit”. Government- created money can be placed into circulation in various ways - as payments, grants, and bonds, but most importantly, as loans whose principal and interest payments go back into the government’s treasury for future public use. When banks “create money”, the banks are actually “loaning” the money with interest to that government, thereby “creating endless debt” for that nation. The government is paying the banks for the use of, what many citizens think is, their own money! Today the U.S. financial system is controlled by the Federal Reserve (the Fed), a consortium of private national and international banks, that are under no meaningful government control nor transparency. Frankly, that's against Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. Basically, the Federal Reserve should be banned, as it is the privatization of a government function - controlling the money supply. It's unconstitutional and a scam. We're being charged to access our own money. That should end now. We need to take back control of our own currency from national and international bankers. https://www.heritage.org/monetary-policy/commentary/time-end-the-fed-and-its-mismanagement-our-economy THE US ECONOMY: A MIX OF CAPITALISM, SOCIALISM, AND PROTECTIONISM - The economy should serve the public good, not private interests alone. It makes sense not to charge people for certain things that benefit both society and business, such as education, training, and health care. But, it also makes sense to give people the freedom and financial incentive they need to create new ideas and products... within a regulatory framework of fairness and safety. As noted above, we should promote local self-reliance, set high tariffs, ban as many imports as we can, plus ban foreign ownership of land, businesses, and assets of any kind. GOVERNMENT BALANCED BUDGET: This should be mandatory for any country. America is now drowning in massive debt unlike anytime is history. And it's no accident. It's called "predatory lending". One way to destroy a country is to plunge it into massive debt. This was initially an U.S. strategy, but other countries like China have followed suit. And now it appears that we are the victims of our own mercenary strategy. Confessions Of An Economic Hitman RISK-FREE BANKING options. Banks should provide a service where people can store their money, for a small fee, at no risk of bankruptcy or asset forfeiture because it could not be loaned out. In other words, if the lending part of the bank failed, depositors "risk-free" money would be physically in the bank vault available to be restored to the owner. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DEBT: To protect both borrowers and lenders, strict controls are needed.
WHAT HAPPENED TO "NEITHER
A BORROWER NOR A LENDER BE"? If borrowing weren't allowed, the
cost of everything would go down. Things quickly get out of control
when you allow lending or borrowing. It's really gambling. Both the
borrower and lender are betting that the loan will be paid back, but can't
guarantee it. So why not require people to pay the full cost up front? The
excuse used is that it is easier for people to buy things on a "payment
schedule" spread out over many years. But, the result is that people too often
take on more debt than they can handle, driving up costs for everyone, and sinking
themselves under a mountain of debt, while simultaneously creating an economic bubble for the nation's
economy... that eventually bursts. COLLEGE & TRAINING LOANS. Public school, colleges, and training should be free, with a private option. As it stands, colleges and trade school costs are ridiculously expensive because of easily available government-backed loans that take years, sometimes decades, to pay off...if ever. And in the case of defaults, the taxpayers are left holding the bag. Also, many colleges appear to be fronts for financial institutions that hide behind the colleges non-profit status to accumulate wealth. It's a racket. MOST PEOPLES' BIGGEST FINANCIAL THREAT IS HEALTH CARE. Which is why we need "universal health care with a private option". It is uncivilized, hugely counterproductive, and a colossal waste to stress-out people and businesses over medical bills. Of course, the other side of this issue is the quality of health care that being provided, which is pretty bad as it's Big Pharma-based. POSSIBLE SOLUTION: We need reasonable laws to govern borrowing and lending. How about the banks charge a 4% rate to borrow money, pay 3% for interest on savings, and cap loans based on the assets of the borrower? That protects the banks and customers, both individuals and businesses. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ TAXES: Should be a low as possible, but progressive, in order to stop the hideously wealthy from taking over the world.
END MOST TAX EXEMPTIONS, INCLUDING NON-PROFITS: It's become a racket for the rich and others. Some so-called non-profits, like PEW and Harvard University, are worth billions of dollars! WORKFARE, NOT WELFARE: Our taxes should not be used for people to be idle. Government should be the employer of last resort. It might not be the job of your dreams or where you want to live, but to give capable people money for doing nothing undermines society, as well as a person's self worth and integrity. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ WALL STREET & CASINO CAPITALISM
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PROPERTY RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
END SQUATTERS' RIGHTS & PROTECT LANDLORDS RIGHT TO EVICT FOR NONPAYMENT OF RENT: You either hold title to property or not, plus prove that you paid taxes on it. No one should be allowed to squat and not pay rent. If the squatter is not a renter, or a renter that is destroying the property or posses a physical threat, then eviction should be immediate. If renters stop paying rent, then the landlord should have the right to evict them by a date based on their deposit, which is usually 1 month's rent, unless the renter is destroying the property or threatening neighbors, in which case eviction should be immediate. See: https://nypost.com/2024/05/05/us-news/six-squatters-take-over-suburban-georgia-home-then-help-themselves-to-vacationing-neighbors-car-cops & https://kingspry.com/act-88-clarifies-squatters-legal-rights-in-pennsylvania ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & PATENTS: It seems that this field has gone nuts, so much so that the "public good" is completely losing out to "private profit". Rumor has it that many patents are being hidden from the public so that select industries are protected from competition. Some even say that we could have had free, clean, and safe energy by now, if it weren't for virtually permanent 'patent protections'. It's time to end the practice of privatizing and monopolizing ideas, and unlock these hidden resources for everyone's benefit. AUTO AND OTHER INSURANCE COVERAGE: There should be no "red-lining" in insurance rates, charging those who live in the city to a higher rate than those who live in the suburbs. That's unfair discrimination. Insurance rates should be based on personal performance, not geography. LIMITS ON WEALTH? People should not be allowed to accumulate or hoard so much wealth that they can buy up entire countries. People should be powerful if they have powerful ideas and accomplishments, not because they made the most money. Of course, limitless wealth wouldn't be such a huge problem if our government actually enforced the Anti-Trust Act and had a truly progressive tax code. However, as things now stand, with billionaires running amuck, there needs to be a cap on wealth, but where to put it? WHAT CAN WE DO?
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MONEY CREATION & CONTROL:
June 27, 2025
NO FEDERAL INCOME
TAX?
It is unconstitutional for the federal government to require
income tax payments, but they do it anyway. And then what happens?
The federal government continues to grow exponentially, and actually
withholds money from the states, essentially blackmailing them if they
don't do what the federal government dictates. It's time to at least minimize the Federal
Income Tax. There should only be taxes on income, but from
all sources: employment, investments, assets, inheritance, gifts, etc.;
and those taxes should be progressive. The more you make, the more you
pay. They should be based on income, not on assets, until sold or
inherited. In Philadelphia, we have to pay
taxes on the appraised market value of our homes. That's crazy. It is
forcing people out of their neighborhoods and incentivizing people not
to take care of their homes. Meanwhile, Philly hands out hefty tax
abatements for people who fix up the properties they buy. It makes
no sense! Real estate taxes should be based on the size of the lot and the
buildings, with exceptions for farms and open spaces.
BAN HEDGE FUNDS, DERIVATIVES, PUTS, CALLS, ETC
STRAIGHT
FORWARD GAMBLING:
Think about it...for you to win, others must lose. How can that make you
feel good about yourself? A gambling addict can destroy their family's
assets almost instandly. And the fact that people can gamble on credit should be criminal. The
fact that governments encourage people to gamble is insane.
You should be doing better things with your time, like learn a new skill,
walk in the woods, or re-arrange your sock drawer!
PROPERTY
MAINTENANCE: All properties should be properly maintained,
attractive, and occupied under the law. No property should remain empty
for more than a prescribed period (2 years?), after which the government
should be able to step in and either lease out or purchase the property
for its market value.
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Whatever we build should be beautiful...
something that lifts our spirits and fills our souls, as opposed to the
Brutal Architecture movement of the 1960'S and 70'S. Zoning boards should make
attractiveness a priority. And we must demand that planning commissions
preserve or create contiguous open green spaces for public recreation, and
in addition, preserve agricultural lands for food production.
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FAIRNESS?
Meritocracy & Equal Opportunity versus Quotas & Equity of Outcomes:
We should promote people based on merit, not race, sex,
ethnicity, religion, nor personal connections. If it's good enough for the
NBA, NFL, and various other sports and occupations where African American
do very well, if not dominate, then it's good enough for every other
profession. Otherwise, preferential treatment sows discontent and
frustration within every part of society; it poisons the well.
People will always doubt someone's ability to do a job properly, if they
got preferential treatment. Besides, not everyone needs to play for the
NBA, however they can play for other organizations and on city teams.
Not everyone needs to go to Harvard Medical School; there are other
medical schools that are less competitive, less expensive, and perhaps
even more competent. And most of all, people can set up their own private
organizations and businesses that can cater to their specific needs.
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SOLUTIONS?
Good Intentions & Bad Consequences: Sometimes, with the best of
intentions, we can really screw things up. For instance, school bussing
was meant to integrate the school system, but instead, whites left the
cities in droves and fled to the suburbs, making segregation worse.
Effective educational reforms and enforcing laws against discriminatory
housing practices would have been a better way to go. In a similar manner,
social welfare programs were meant to support poor mothers and their
children; instead these programs encouraged many fathers to abandon their
families, leaving mothers and children more destitute than
ever. Incentives for intact families, as well as workfare, are better
solutions. Another example, many individuals and churches are creating
problems for their local neighbors by feeding the homeless and drug
addicts, instead of taking them to government social services and getting
them effective care and treatment. So, the next time you try to help
someone, think it through and try to be sure that you are making things
better for everyone, not worse. Good intentions can have some pretty bad,
though unintentional, consequences
SETTLING
THE SCORE? Past Injustices & Reparations:
This is a tough one. Certainly, neither people, businesses, nor
institutions should get away with doing bad things to others, and then
benefitting from it. After the Civil War, African Americans were supposed
to be compensated, but most never were. And now all those former slaves
and slave masters are long gone, although some of the descendents of slave
owners, are still living on their plantations, which seems weird.
But, what about Indigenous Americans, other ethnic groups, and women who
have been denied just compensation for past injustices for centuries?
How to make up for the sins of the past? I don't think whole-sale
reparations is the answer. Banks, art museums, and others unjustly
held onto stolen Jewish property after World War II for decades, until a
few brave souls stepped forward to right that wrong. And they succeeded to
a limited degree. See:
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The life of a baby
begins at conception. That's just a scientific fact. And I believe that we all have a soul which is eternal, including the
unborn. So, to end a child's life without just cause (i.e., to save the
life of the mother, etc.) is wrong. That said, many women want the
legal right to make that choice, anyway. In some states, women
can choose up to and beyond the hour of birth without having to show
cause. In my book, that's murder. On the other hand, many states
and countries allow abortions in the first trimester. It's still
wrong, but at this moment in history, it might be the best option.
I realize that
appalls many pro-life activists, but think of it this way. Our
Founders wrote the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that
African Americans, women, and many others were not treated equally at
the time, nor even in the near future. But they stated their intention and eventually it became a reality.
In a similar manner,
I believe that abortion will be a thing of the past, eventually, because
people will be more aware of healthy methods to plan their families.
But, that is not the case today. "The pill" and other contraceptive
devices can be very damaging to women's health and their babies.
And that fact should be the pro-life movements' focus - natural and safe
solutions to family planning. Herbal remedies offer a lot of
possibilities, but I'm not an expert on this subject. Here's a
couple of websites I found, but I can't say what works well and what
doesn't. My main point is that we all should be working toward healthy
solutions to family planning.
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Most people take a "live and let live" approach to members of the LGBTQ+? community. And that's how it should be. LGBTQ+? folks should have the same rights as everyone else, but not more rights. It can be a very tricky subject. So much so, that schools should have no role in counseling students about sexual orientation without the express permission of the individual parents involved. Many parents do not want LGBTQ+ held up as a lifestyle for their children to aspire to, unless their child's natural instincts are already headed in that direction. Complicating the picture even more, some children are born with both sexual organs - hermaphrodites, which can create a serious dilemma. Regarding the "transgender rights" issue - to claim the rights of the opposite sex - a person's sex at birth should be the determining factor, particularly as it pertains to government contracts, regulations, IDs, and access to single-sex bathrooms, showers, prisons, colleges, sororities, prisons, and particularly sports. Girls & women's sports, under proposed changes to Title 9 and other sports organizations' rules, are systematically destroyed when transgender athletes (males) are allowed to join in girls & women's competitions, often threatening the safety of females due to males larger and stronger physical size. It's so blatantly unfair that it defies all common sense. More worrisome is medical advice that convinces children and parents that surgery and lifetime medications are the only answers to gender confusion, when both the physical and emotional side effects can be devastating. As far as pronouns are concerned, it is confusing, frustrating, and dividing the public unnecessarily. Who is going to remember everyone's "personal pronoun" anyway? I can't remember my own middle name. Wear a name tag if this issue is that important to you. Or dress in a manner that suggests how you want to be addressed. After all, that's why people wear wedding rings. But, there is a bigger issue involved that rarely gets much publicity. Why are so many children today being born sexually confused, both physically and mentally? Many scientists point to excess exposure to estrogen, a female hormone, found in foods like soy & dairy, contraception pills, fertilizers, pesticides, fossil, fuels, etc., as well as other medications and vaccines, all of which may contribute to the disruption of human sexual development and mutation of DNA. This has been observed in wild animals for decades, and most of it is attributed to pollution. So, it stands to reason that human sexual development is being adversely affected, as well. It's an issue that needs to be addressed for the future of humanity could be at stake. Here's an old article of mine on this subject - http://www.thelandesreport.com/EstrogenOverload.htm ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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We each need to build our own curriculum that will ensure that our children are being properly educated at home and at school. Ideally, the federal government should provide free online educational material and testing for all grade levels, including college and post graduate courses, as well as free online job training material. States can decide their own curriculums, but it would be helpful for the federal government to supply a base of support or alternative. I strongly believe in a public school education because these children are our future. When our best and brightest opt out of local public schools for private options, everyone loses. Everyone disconnects from each other's reality. And those parents and students who would be the most pro-active and successful advocates for a good education, leave behind students and their parents who really need their leadership. It creates a learning ghetto for the poor and unlucky, who will naturally be resentful as they get older. Parents can run, but the public can't hide from the results of a poor public school education. That said, I don't believe that we can or should outlaw private options. People have a right to choose, however, private school & charter parents do not have the same right to complain about their children's education as do local public school parents. If private & charter school parents do complain, they risk their children's removal from school, with no legal recourse. Regarding home schooling, in my opinion it is just too isolating in general, although it can be appropriate in certain circumstances. So, how to make any school great? We need to check out the curriculum, plus review their text books and work papers. Clearly, something has gone terribly wrong in that so many students are failing to learn. 1) Set specific goals for the students to meet, 2) Have a teacher and an aid in every classroom, and invite the parents and volunteers into the classroom to observe and assist the teachers. 3) Balance students' education evenly between knowledge and skills, from primitive to high tech. 4) Provide course materials "free" online and for download for the benefit of both students, parents, and the public; and for every grade level (K to PHD) and on every subject and skill. (It would be great if the federal and/or state governments would provide this information without slipping in any crazy agendas.) 5) Have lots of volunteer hallway monitors trained to keep the peace, 6) Transfer disruptive students to special schools where their needs can be properly addressed, 7) Make sure the classrooms have big windows that let the light in, 8) Let students outside for at least 30 minutes every day, 9) Give all kids free meals that are nutritious, and 10) Fill the school with uplifting and inspiring art, music, literature, etc.. The "knowledge half" of the curriculum should include critical thinking (i.e., making sense), manners and morals, philosophy, religion, politics, science, math, grammar, history, etc.. The "skills half" should span the range of primitive skills to high technology, as well as life skill such as how to apply for a job or school, write a check, budget your money, get a job, start a business, maintain a car and house, etc.. In particular, students should know all about our wild world and its uses, as well as how to make their own food, clothing, shelter, furniture, etc.. And last but not least, skills should include sports and dance (particularly line dances)! People need to work with their "hands and minds together" in order to really learn about life. They need to experience things first hand, not just read about them in books. However, most schools don't do that. And, too much of what they teach has no practical application. Students need to get outside of the schools to visit town hall meetings, factories, farms, laboratories, and offices, not just go to museums and play parks. And there needs to be robust "work study" programs for students. In addition, every school should have a school store with items for sale that the students made themselves. We can change our children's education for the better if we get involved. Go to school board meetings and lobby for a balanced curriculum between knowledge and skills. And that means skills training for all students, not just the vocational kids. Grandparents and non-parents should also attend school board meetings because many parents are afraid to do it because of the real threat of backlash on their children...which does happen. But that's life. We all have a civic duty to do what's right for our children and their future. It really does take a village to raise a child. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
PERSONAL STUFF
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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Marriage&Divorce Important emotional and financial decisions
Marry someone you like as well as love, someone you feel comfortable with, someone who will be wise and work hard, someone you can discuss all sorts of subjects with and also have a good laugh, someone you can count on...most of the time. It's important to understand that people are not perfect and most marriages will face many difficult times. So, be forgiving of your partner and yourself. Particularly if you have children, you want to set an example for them of how parents work together cooperatively and how to disagree without being disagreeable. And even when some shouting may be going on, show how you both get over your disagreements and don't harbor grudges. Disagreements happen for a reason. Take those disagreements and turn them into opportunities to make things better between the two of you. However, if things get really miserable, and you think you want to get a divorce, think long and hard about it. Make sure that it isn't the 4-year-rut or 7-year-itch or 20-year-trench or whatever. Marriages can get boring and stagnant, and both partners may be tempted to cheat (or in fact do cheat), but that doesn't mean that the marriage is doomed. It happens in many marriages. Don't panic. It might mean that you need couples therapy, or need to make a significant change in your life, such as moving to a new location, getting a different job, making new friends, staying home with the kids, or having kids! Just know that divorce, especially when kids are involved, can be very traumatic for all involved, and that trauma can last a lifetime. If it's joint custody, understand that you just cut in half the time you may have with your children, doubled your expenses, plus you'll need to get two sets of everything for the children for each parent's home. Things may get much more chaotic on every front. So, don't go into divorce thinking that "everyone does it" and that it's part of being a "modern family". It can be pure hell for everyone involved. And don't kid yourself that kids are resilient. Some are, but many aren't. Make sure that divorce is unavoidable and that there's no alternative before you decide to go through with it. And lastly, don't be too proud to admit if you made a mistake. Divorced couples do sometimes reconcile (10-15%). If you do get divorced, then make it the most positive experience possible for all concerned. If kids are involved, try to live close to your former spouse, and not to separate the kids from either parent for more than 3 nights at a time, at least when they are young. Also, don't criticize your former spouse (or their family, friends, or new partner) unnecessarily in front of the kids. There may be times that it is necessary, but otherwise the kids don't need that negative energy. Be honest with your kids that both you and your ex have your strengths and weaknesses. Hopefully, over time, you will both find more compatible partners and everyone will eventually benefit. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ FAMILY & ADOPTION: If you don't have a family, then build a family
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PARENTING: Hard work, but endlessly rewarding
Do your best as a
parent, but know that you can't control the outcome as children become
adults. You can take a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.
As a parent, keep listening patiently, advising wisely, and assisting your
children when appropriate. And, just remember, that as you take care
of them when they are young (and perhaps even take care of their children
as a grandparent), conversely, you may need your adult children to take
care of you when you get old! So, be generous to your children with your
time, attention, love, and money. What goes around often comes around, in
spades. Single Parents - Children really need both male and female role models. So, if a traditional family is not possible, then ask a friend or neighbor to serve as an "aunt" or "uncle", to be a fixture and role model in your children's lives. People like that can make all the difference. And besides, isn't the saying, "It takes a village to raise a child"? Very true. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Treat both love and
sex very thoughtfully and respectfully. And try not to confuse having a
crush on someone with true love. And, just because you love someone,
does not mean that you should have sex with them, particularly if you
are both young. Sex is serious business and should be saved for
serious monogamous relationships. There's nothing free about "free sex",
contrary to what others and much of the entertainment industry may have
to say on the subject. As a practical matter, sex can result in
pregnancy, which is great if you're trying to have children and ready to
raise them properly. What is less well know, however, is that sex
can also result in sterility, as the result of a sexually transmitted
diseases (STD), such as Chlamydia. Which is why it is not a good idea to
lead a 'fast and loose' lifestyle, aka "Sex In The City".
And very importantly, if you don't drink or do drugs, then you'll be much
less likely to lose control of your emotions and your self-respect. As
with everything in life, what you do has consequences for everyone. Use
your head and your heart. Let love lead the way - thoughtfully and
respectfully.
Society should
encourage family building through adoption, no matter what the
age. Families provide stability and security. And the government
should take an active role in helping those who want a family to have
one. I'm not just referring to the adoption of little children, which my
husband and I did, but also making room for teenagers and grown adults.
There are seniors who may not have any children or grandchildren, but
want them, and vice versa. For those who adopt teenagers and
adults, you will also need to adopt a forgiving attitude that will make
the situation workable and enjoyable. Nothing is perfect in life, but
loneliness can be devastating. Building a family is a much better bet.
The government should provide a registry and host events to bring people
together who are looking to begin or expand their family. If government
won't do it, then neighborhood civic organizations should. We are so
happy that we adopted our three children, who are now adults with
children of their own. Raising children and being part of a family is
not always easy, but it's always worth it, as the universe does not want
us to go through life alone and lonely.
Raising
a child is the hardest thing you'll ever do, and the most rewarding.
Just be sure that you really want children before you become a parent.
Because once you have a child, they will take over your life and you may
not get a good night's sleep until they're are out of the house, and many times not even then. In other words, children are a lifetime
commitment. Parents lead by example, for good or ill. Behave in a
respectful way in every facet of your life, and you'll reap the rewards of
setting a good example for your children. On the other hand, if you dress
like a slob and act like an idiot, then your children will learn from that
as well. 
Stay-at-home moms or dads -
It's a great privilege to stay at home and
raise your own children, but it's also an opportunity to engage in a wide
variety of interests and concerns. Since "working moms" became
common in the 1970's, many of those moms have become completely frazzled,
believing that they could "have it all". Meanwhile, their children spend
too much time with babysitters, in daycare, or alone; while schools,
community groups, and advocacy organizations have lost millions of
dedicated volunteers and activists. I'm so grateful that I chose to
stay at home and be there for my children and grandchildren, as well as
become a community activist, freelance journalist, and many other things.
I understand that many moms and dads don't have that choice, yet many do,
but are still under immense pressure to "make money". Staying
home was, for me, "being free" to do what I really wanted to do, as a
mother and a member of society. That said, staying at home is definitely
not for everyone. So, give this decision careful consideration and then do
what's best for you and your children.
Age
gracefully. Embrace your senior years, and please don't try to look or
act younger! It rarely works. As a senior citizen myself (born in 1952),
I’m enjoying growing older. Maybe I’ve been lucky, but I also take care
of myself, eat healthy food, avoid all drugs (legal and otherwise), and
engage in moderate exercise…mostly “mindful” walking, so that I don’t trip
on the sidewalk and fall on my face…which I’ve done. I avoid doctors,
unless it’s an emergency and “wellness checks”, for two reasons: 1) Those
check-ups often do more harm than good, and 2) I'd be worrying all the
time, dreading what dastardly illness might be lurking in my body
undetected. The endless stress would be unbearable, if not unhealthy. So,
unless I have a good reason to go to the doctor, I don’t. 
Stay
busy. I’ve always been very busy as a stay-at-home mother of 3 (now
grandmother of 5), community organizer, issue activist, free-lance
journalist, etc.. (visit
Live
with others. Make sure that you have friends that you can buddy up
with. As far as families are concerned, in some cultures it's expected
that the older relatives live with the younger, so that the older folks
help take care of the younger children. And that's what we do, except we
don't live with our daughter and her kids, but we're very close and do
help out almost daily, and we love it! We're about an hour away from
our son and his kids, so we're not with them as much, but thankfully
they've got a fully engaged grandma and extended family. Many grandparents
are moving to be near their children so as to not miss out on their
grandchildren's lives, as well as to have their loved ones nearby for
their senior years, which makes sense. But, the tough question is
this - What do we do if we find ourselves in the position of not being
able to live on our own? Personally for us, it would be either an
"assisted living" facility (expensive), or maybe a large house (with an
elevator) with other seniors (and visiting nurses), close to a downtown
area with parks and stuff that we could get to in electric wheelchairs,
which could be fun and hopefully more affordable. That said, my husband
and I aren't at that decision point, yet. Stay tuned.
Getting Stuff Off My Chest!
- MAKE THEM STOP!!! NUISANCE PHONE CALLS - They should be outlawed! Period. Why haven't they been already?
M.I.A.! PUBLIC PHONES & WATER FOUNTAINS - Where did all the public phone and water fountains go? Let me guess. The related industries got rid of them. Let's do our best to bring them back!
SMELLS & BELLS! WINDCHIMES - There should be a law against them, and in many places there are. It is unfair to impose one's idea of what sounds good onto others. PERFUMES AND FRAGRANCES: Likewise, it's unfair to impose one's idea of what smells good onto others. Besides, some people are allergic to perfumes, and they can give many others headaches. Smell the roses, don't process them!
OMG! LOUD MUSIC! - Again, your idea of good music could be others idea of pure torture. So PLEASE, wear ear buds and keep your music to yourself!
TAKE IT OFF! TAKE IT ALL OFF! MAKE-UP, HAIR DYES, BOTOX & FACELIFTS It all sends the wrong message to women (and some men), young and old, that they are not 'good enough' as nature made them. Most men don't wear make-up, so why do women feel obliged to? What happened to equal rights? Besides, this stuff often makes most people look harsher, if not freakish. More importantly, these products and procedures can be full of toxic chemicals and seriously harm your health. They're not good for your body, your brain, or our planet. Just keep in mind, and I know it sounds old-fashioned, but true beauty does come from the inside, from your thoughts, your words, and your actions.
FASHION? GIVE THE WORLD A BREAK & DRESS WITH DISCRETION! Many countries don't want Western culture because, too often, the women and men dress and act like sluts and slobs. It's offensive and degrading for all concerned. Please, show some self respect.
BLACK CLOTHES - Where's the funeral?! Why are so many people are wearing black clothes. It's sooo depressing! "... many use the color black to symbolize all things negative. Throughout history, this somber color has been tied to death and all things evil and bad. It evokes strong feelings of anger, aggression, fear, and sadness." www.VeryWellMind.com So, ditch the black and break out the COLORS!
HOLES IN PANTS ON PURPOSE! This fashion is just so ridiculous that it almost defies explanation, except that many people are actually 'slaves to fashion'. They aren't respecting themselves or society by trying to looking like a poor person who can't take care of themselves. Actually, it looks alot like a MK-ULTRA CIA mind-control program (as with much of modern art, fashion, music, and literature, beginning in the 1950's), designed to see what lengths people will go to in order to 'fit in'.
BAN PIT BULLS WORLDWIDE! This won't be a popular post, but I don't care. I can't believe the number of people who think it's a good idea to have a pit bull as a pet. Our dog Scooter was killed by a "rescued" pit bull. No other breed of dog attacks innocent victims as viciously nor as frequently as pit bulls do. Of course, this is not their fault, it's our fault for allowing people to breed such a dangerous dog. Every week across the country, pit bulls attack children, adults, pets, and even livestock. They terrorize neighborhoods. They are simply too dangerous and can’t be trusted. Once they lock onto a target, they have no off-switch and won’t let go, which is why the police and military do not use pit bulls. Pit bulls are already banned in 53 countries. And in the U.S., pit bulls are banned in over 1400 cities, 297 military bases, and 23 Indian Reservations. Many housing authorities ban pit bulls, including New York City. At the very least, all pit bulls should be muzzled, and dog shelters should not adopt out pit bulls. It’s time to end this deadly practice and phase out this deadly breed. If pit bulls are too dangerous for the police and military, then they’re too dangerous for our neighborhoods. www.BanPitbulls.com
I need to work on this list, but here's a few recommendations. That said, I strongly believe that art should inspire and encourage us, not repel and depress us. Some people say that bad art is deliberately used by others (CIA etc) to depress the public, as a weapon against us, and to get us to do bad things. I believe that is the case in many instances. So, our best response is to create and support uplifting and inspiring arts.
- BOOKS:
- Proof of Heaven, Map of Heaven, Mindful Universe by Dr. Eben Alexander
- The Secret Life of Plants
- The Tipping Point
- Born To Run
- Hamilton
- MOVIES/PLAYS/SERIES:
- The Pirates of Penzance(film) - great musical, very under-rated
- Hairspray
- My Fair Lady
- 42nd Street - Musical Theater
- The Bank for Dave
- Happiness For Beginners
- The Boys In The Boat
- Anne of Green Gables
- The Dig
- Peter Rabbit I & II
- DOCUMENTARIES
- Anything about the American Revolution
- The Biggest Little Farm - wonderful film
- Fantastic Fungi
- Unacknowledged https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6400614/
- The Secrets of Quantum Physics
- SONGS, MUSIC: Rod Stewart's American Songbook, French cafe, Oscar Peterson, Big Band, Swing, Celtic, Bluegrass, Chamber music,
- DANCES: (that I like but don't necessarily do): line, 2-step, country, swing, Jitterbug, square dance, English country, and tap.
- ARTISTS: Dutch Masters, Impressionists, anything colorful, beautiful, and inspiring
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SIMPLE SAYINGS, OLD & NEW: To help us all through life
- Be prepared
- Change is constant
- No man is an island
- You are what you eat
- Garbage in garbage out
- Keep calm and carry on
- Penny wise & pound foolish
- What goes around comes around
- Rainbows only come after a storm
- Where there's a will there's a way
- When you're in a hole stop digging
- It's always darkest before the dawn
- If you don't ask you may never know
- Be your own best friend & worst critic
- Get from people what they have to offer
- Hope for the best, but plan on the worst
- When one door closes another door opens
- If you want to be heard you must speak up
- Look at what people do, not at what they say
- Bumps in the road of life are there to make you fly
- We prepare for the future by what we do everyday
- The school of life has endless lessons to teach us all
- Life has its charms & challenges, learn from them both
- If something can go wrong it could go wrong, so be prepared
- It's not just the destination, but also the journey that matters
- It's not where you've been, but where you're going that counts
- Learn from the past and plan for the future, but live in the present
- You can't tell a book by its cover, but you also don't get a second chance to make a great first impression.
- You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run... "The Gambler" lyrics
- My version of "The Serenity Prayer" which I call "The Wisdom Prayer" because it makes more sense to me this way: "God, grant me the courage to change the things I can, the serenity to accept the things I cannot, and the wisdom to know the difference." AKA: Do your best, then let God do the rest.
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I hope this inspires you to start your own "Make Sense" journal. Lynn Landes
