is anyone here active?

Roll Model

i've read so much here about how everyone's fed up with the way american culture has gotten so out of control (consumerism, capitalism, narcissism, etc)

as am i...i want to get active in my community to change people's ideas.

i want to know who's doing what where and why, and how affective it's all been

Ahnimus

I post online

surferdude

Roll Model wrote:

i've read so much here about how everyone's fed up with the way american culture has gotten so out of control (consumerism, capitalism, narcissism, etc)

as am i...i want to get active in my community to change people's ideas.

i want to know who's doing what where and why, and how affective it's all been

I choose to place experiences over consumerism. I whole heartedly participate in capitalism. I'm a role model of happiness and contentment.

I don't want to change people's ideas, it's far more powerful to inspire people to change their own ideas.

brain of c

i whine.

who's_pearljam?

I'm pretty active.
Wow,,, two posts on the forum for me today! In the public office thread, and here.

I moved to the city a few years ago, and I see the things that are right and wrong in my city. I have the most amazing mixed neighborhood racially and culturally. Some of the things that are right here are the sense of community we have just in a few city blocks. I can probably walk to 30 houses around here if I need help, and they can knock on my door.
There are so many things wrong in this city, though, from political corruption, crime, guns, dope dealers running over parts of the city, politicians who don't do anything until it's election time.
I got active in my neighborhood association and slowly am getting sucked into politics here. As a group, we started speaking out at the city council meetings, and it's become a force for them to reckon with.

A few things that helped me get active:
1) Turn off the TV and realize that there is life out there without it!
2) Get to know the people in the community, volunteer, go to local government meetings and get an idea how things work in your locale.
3) Realize that this world is not all bad and that there are great and interesting people all around. There are the clinkers, though and they tend to end up running things.
4) Take a look at what your strong and weak points are and build from there.

My cause seems to be helping get a start for poor kids around here. The schools are bad, a lot of single moms who may be trying to raise their families, some may be crack moms and it breaks my heart to see kids growing up in that environment. There are so many variables that cause this, and to me, the best thing is to get in there with a group of people and demand change.
I'm sort of good at rallying people together, and finding people who know how to do things, and that's what people in my area find to be helpful.
I have ideas about what I would like to see, but by collecting others, I've found that a room full of people from different walks of life can contribute and I've learned so much.

Making changes involves more than one person. It involves numbers. In the long scheme of things, getting changes in government involves politicians who are looking for votes.
That's the carrot you hold in most communities. A career politician, good or bad can't make a career if he doesn't have votes, so it's up to the people to decide what they want and to make what they want known.
Where most activism falls flat is AFTER the politician is in office, life goes back to normal and the way it was people go back to their TV's and become complacent. You gotta keep on them!

Ok, well, I'm babbling now!

Do it!!!! It's great to get involved!

Surf Life

I was arrested when Seattle threw the WTO party..hehe. And I have marched several times since the prior to the Iraq war (it's not easy on me either as I have rheumatoid arthritis and nerve damage in my back). I also volunteer at the democratic headquarters and I participated in the primaries. As I have said before, I will petition and question the government when ever I feel that they have done wrong.

My sons have protested the war, in fact a famous picture here in Seattle is of my son’s friend being arrested when he stepped off the curb where the cars parallel park, and they said he was interfering with traffic. He was black btw and the only one arrested that day.

I pay extra on my power bill to buy green fuels and I recycle anything that they will take.

And I have a long list of companies I will not do buisness with because of ther practices.

Jeanwah

who's_pearljam? wrote:

I moved to the city a few years ago, and I see the things that are right and wrong in my city. I have the most amazing mixed neighborhood racially and culturally. Some of the things that are right here are the sense of community we have just in a few city blocks. I can probably walk to 30 houses around here if I need help, and they can knock on my door.
There are so many things wrong in this city, though, from political corruption, crime, guns, dope dealers running over parts of the city, politicians who don't do anything until it's election time.
I got active in my neighborhood association and slowly am getting sucked into politics here. As a group, we started speaking out at the city council meetings, and it's become a force for them to reckon with.

A few things that helped me get active:
1) Turn off the TV and realize that there is life out there without it!
2) Get to know the people in the community, volunteer, go to local government meetings and get an idea how things work in your locale.
3) Realize that this world is not all bad and that there are great and interesting people all around. There are the clinkers, though and they tend to end up running things.
4) Take a look at what your strong and weak points are and build from there.

My cause seems to be helping get a start for poor kids around here. The schools are bad, a lot of single moms who may be trying to raise their families, some may be crack moms and it breaks my heart to see kids growing up in that environment. There are so many variables that cause this, and to me, the best thing is to get in there with a group of people and demand change.
I'm sort of good at rallying people together, and finding people who know how to do things, and that's what people in my area find to be helpful.
I have ideas about what I would like to see, but by collecting others, I've found that a room full of people from different walks of life can contribute and I've learned so much.

Making changes involves more than one person. It involves numbers. In the long scheme of things, getting changes in government involves politicians who are looking for votes.
That's the carrot you hold in most communities. A career politician, good or bad can't make a career if he doesn't have votes, so it's up to the people to decide what they want and to make what they want known.
Where most activism falls flat is AFTER the politician is in office, life goes back to normal and the way it was people go back to their TV's and become complacent. You gotta keep on them!

Ok, well, I'm babbling now!

Do it!!!! It's great to get involved!

Great post! It makes me want to pursue doing the same in my community (I've just got to find the right people still)!

floyd1975

Yes

Purple Hawk

Roll Model wrote:

i've read so much here about how everyone's fed up with the way american culture has gotten so out of control (consumerism, capitalism, narcissism, etc)

as am i...i want to get active in my community to change people's ideas.

i want to know who's doing what where and why, and how affective it's all been

I agree that American culture has gotten out of control (narcissim)...but I am actively working to convince people that conservativsm is the way towards change...I'm an evil capitalist, I'm a hatemonger, and all the rest...just happend to be on a college campus and I have full control over the youth of America....*evil Karl Rove laugh*

Jeanwah

Purple Hawk wrote:

conservatism is the way towards change...

Now, that's an oxymoron if I've heard one!

tybird

Very active member of the local chapter of the Audubon Society.....co-chair multiple committees. One of my goals for the society is to add real impact to our eco-tourism. Many of our field trips are to some of the poorest parts of our state and our nation. I would like to see us have more of a positive monetary impact when visiting these areas.

macgyver06

yes. i am currently sexually active.