Reply #14: When our votes are no longer counted or recorded properly

[Beam Me Up]

and when the media whose role in society should be to give us accurate information about what is going on in the world around us, becomes merely a propaganda tool for a one party political agenda.

Now is that time, in my opinion. But, then, I've been fighting a nonviolent revolution most of my adult life by making decisions about where I spend my time and money. I haven't watched TV in years; the vehicle I drive is almost twenty years old and looks it, too. I live relatively simply compared to most folks and that is just fine by me. I spend a lot of time reading and educating myself. In the face of a media driven corporate juggernaut telling me to BUY BUY BUY their preposterous notions of what is of 'value' and what is 'real' these small things are revolutionary acts. Being in the world of nature, speaking the truth, being open and fair with those I do business, reflecting as much on my own shortcomings as I do on those of others -- these are revolutionary acts.

The reality, however, is that one person or even a few people do not make a *significant* difference. What I want to see is a revolution in the way we THINK about problems. For example, why is it that in this country the way you 'solve' a problem is to 'declare war' on it? This has been going on at least since the 'war on poverty.' We have a war on drugs and now a war on terrorism. This is INSANE RHETORIC. It makes a good sound bite but it does not make for intelligent policy. It became obvious to me many years ago that the 'war on drugs' for example was not MEANT to end the 'drug problem.' In fact, it was MEANT TO MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE PROFIT FROM THEIR PROHIBITION. This is what the 'war on drugs' does and this is what it is MEANT TO DO.

The 'war on terrorism' is exactly the same.

By 'thinking differently' I mean turning the rhetoric around. WHO ARE THE TERRORISTS? Are they not those who profit from war? Warfare, terrorism, criminality of any kind ALL THIS WILL END WHEN IT IS NO LONGER PROFITABLE.

The question is how do you take the profit out of war fare and other criminal behavior? How do you get people to give up their criminal enterprises? That last sentence is based on the observation that WE LIVE IN A CRIMINAL CULTURE. Crime and corruption is rampant, and mostly at the highest levels of business management, government and military. Everyone is 'out for himself', everyone is on the take, everyone cheats on their taxes. Well, everyone except for a very few.

What can change this? How can people begin to EXPERIENCE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS? Until we do, until we FEEL the pain we cause others, I am not optimistic of a GENUINE REVOLUTION nonviolent or otherwise.

BMU

Edit: typos