Brother, Can You Spare....700 Billion Dollars?

I have had to wait a few days to post this comment. I've been so mad I could spit (and a lady NEVER does that). However, my anger has been channeled in productive ways. I have written a letter to the editor and made two calls to my senators to demand they do not bailout Wall Street (certainly not the initial 3-page plan Paulson submitted...giving all power over the funds to the financial industry w/ no oversight and complete impunity for their actions...DEFINITELY NOT).

I don't know anyone in my world who isn't nervous about what is going on in our economy. We are all thinking the same thing...."What's going on?" and "What can I do to get through this rough period?" I am paying attention to what is happening and am thinking "How is bailing out multi-national corporations...some of which produce goods overseas not using Americans to produce those goods...going to put my friends and neighbors to work? and How is bailing out banks so they can lend money going to help my friends and neighbors who are not working to borrow money?" I don't see where any of this money is going to employ my friends and neighbors.

My world is just as uncertain as yours is and I am not taking any news lightly. I do think we can change our personal lives to prepare for challenging times. I encourage people to investigate concepts like "voluntary simplicity", "community gardens", "time dollars", "bartering". I think we are all coming to consciousness that the material world is a dead-end street. First world living is unsustainable and we are all now realizing this fact.

I am not completely bummed out about all this bad news...I think we have been missing out on the good stuff in life....spending time with friends, neighbors and playing with each other rather than our X-Box's. Remember playing card games and Chinese Checkers? Remember good home-cooked meals? Remember digging up worms to go fishing? I do. I have been longing for spending quality time with my friends but many have been seeking stuff to fill their lives or watching the idiot box because they are so disengaged or fearful of the future.

Wishing everyone reading hope & faith (not in politicians but in each other) that we can weather this storm and work together to create a society that is more humane and more loving. I am keeping my heart and arms open to welcome better days ahead : )

Much Love.....

xoxoxxoxo

Emma : )