We are all aware that tumors, even if they are benign, are an impediment to individual well being. Growths are anti-social. And yet, in recent decades we've been persuaded that growth is good.

Now the results are out and, in at least three areas, there's no question that growth is an sign of social failure. The first indicator, only because we've been aware of it the longest, is the growth of landfills. More and more of what we Americans produce and purchase ends up at the dump; some of it even before it's used. Indeed, much of our production is aimed to be disposed of--disposable. As if the mountains of waste weren't already high enough. And I won't even go into "storage facilities," replicating like mushrooms all over the countryside -- way stations to the dump for the stuff we think we might eventually actually want.

The nation is drowning in stuff. The question is why? Why have we been persuaded to accumulate more and more stuff we don't actually want, and certainly don't need? My ancient house guest tells me it's because stuff, unlike people, doesn't disappoint. Stuff doesn't run off with your best friend. Stuff isn't fickle. On the other hand, the old curmudgeon is even now discovering that when people have people, they don't need stuff. That's something the tea party people seem to be discovering, as well. While that does not bode well for the resurgence of our supposedly consumer-driven economy, consumption is not a healthy condition. So, the tea parties may actually be a sign of healing.

If you need a little more convincing, consider that our separate and unequal public health care system is a remnant of the days of segregation.

Conservatives put much emphasis on the fact that people are different and can't be made equal. They do this because it's entirely beside the point. The Constitution demands equal service, not equalizing, from the agents of government. You know, like you get at MacDonald's. Every big Mac is the same size, regardless of how hungry you are.

Since I don't have health insurance and haven't been to a hairstylist in over fifty years, it took me a while to bother reading this KOS diary. It is not to be missed and needs to be passed on to everyone you know.

It's been apparent for some time that "planned obsolescence," the strategy developed by industry to maintain stable profits in response to market saturation and the need to increase demand, has morphed into "failure by design" and infected all sectors of the economy--commerce, service and finance. After all, if stability is the object, failure is the natural route; success, being terminal, demands that we do something new.

Hey DFA New Hampshire Family -

I am excited to introduce a new film, Sundance Grand Jury Prize Winner TROUBLE THE WATER. I can say with complete confidence that it is not only a beautifully made film, it also carries a powerful message that is sure to inspire and activate all who see it. Film is a powerful organizing tool and I am reaching out to communities across the country to lift up issues of racial, social and economic justice, using film to inspire dialogue and action.

Please check our website and trailer at:
http://troublethewaterfilm.com/

We open at the Red River Theater on October 3 and I would love your help spreading the word to your networks. I promise you won’t be disappointed, all those who struggle for peace and justice will benefit from using this film to inspire action. I have been working with organizations across the country, using this film to inspire and mobilize communities, especially important these next few weeks. I am sure you remember it was Bush’s response to Katrina, or lack thereof, that caused his numbers to plummet and I am working as hard as I can to remind people that a McCain presidency, along with countless other disasters, would continue these same horrible policies. Check out the photograph with Bush and McCain smiling and celebrating. (link below) This was taken on the day Katrina hit New Orleans, showing as plain as day the lack of concern these two had as 1000’s of our brothers and sisters lost their homes, and many their lives. I know you will be moved to encourage those in your realm of influence to support our openings as we continue our national theatrical rollout. (see below for more info) I will also include a sample e-blast, please help spread this to all local networks.

SOURCE: Senator Bernie Sanders

09/19/2008

The current financial crisis facing our country has been caused by the extreme right-wing economic policies pursued by the Bush administration. These policies, which include huge tax breaks for the rich, unfettered free trade and the wholesale deregulation of commerce, have resulted in a massive redistribution of wealth from the middle class to the very wealthy.

The middle class has really been under assault. Since President Bush has been in office, nearly 6 million Americans have slipped into poverty, median family income for working Americans has declined by more than $2,000, more than 7 million Americans have lost their health insurance, over 4 million have lost their pensions, foreclosures are at an all time high, total consumer debt has more than doubled, and we have a national debt of over $9.7 trillion dollars.

I'm writing on behalf of the Borgen Project- a seattle based non profit organization working to bring political attention to severe poverty. You can learn more about our organization through theborgenproject.org.

As you will see we have created the Global Poverty Act which has passed in the House and now we're trying to pass in the Senate. The way you can help is severly important and takes only thirty seconds to help pass this act.

We need roughly a dozen people (however the more the merrier) in New Hampshire to call Senator Sununu's office at (603) 647- 7500 and simply tell the staffer on the phone: “I’m a Borgen Project supporter and I would like the Senator to cosponsor the Global Poverty Act.” People can also email his office here:

sununu.senate.gov.

If you and your members can make the call or shoot an email it would greatly help the cause. You can see here (sample call log on right) how political offices tally each call and why it’s so important. Thank you so much for your consideration and let me know if I can answer any questions.
Thank you,

Candice Hays
The Borgen Project
theborgenproject.org

If the human species has one unique characteristic, it may well be the propensity to kill things it doesn't like or that simply displease. Other species destroy to sustain themselves; humans just do it because they can.

Now there's big money in it.

One of the biggest money makers is Monsanto, the organization that brought us Agent Orange, dioxin, RoundUp and, most recently, acquired the company, Delta&Pine Land, that developed, together with the Department of Agriculture, the terminator gene.

Like the other monopolistic clients (Walmart and Tyson Foods) of the Stephens Group of Little Rock, Arkansas, Monsanto is not flamboyant and not keen on random publicity. Which is probably why they declined to be interviewed for the French documentary on their achievements.

Video below the fold.

Gracie Dodd was worried that Santa would not find her in Iowa. Being only six, she probably didn't remember what else happens in her family on Christmas.

Wonder if Chris bothered to mention that when the baby Jesus was born, His mother and father were far from home, traveling to take part in a political process--the Roman census.

Is the American Dream -- that bedrock belief that if we work hard, we can get ahead and make a better life for ourselves and our children -- alive and well?

It depends on which Americans you have in mind.

A series of studies by The Economic Mobility Project (www.economicmobility.org), a bi-partisan initiative, reveals that while some groups continue to move up the ladder of success, others are facing a tough time. And for two significant groups – children born to low income parents and middle-income African-Americans – the picture appears even bleaker.

What is the Economic Mobility Project?

Funded and directed by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Economic Mobility Project is a consortium of prominent scholars from four public policy institutions that cut across the political spectrum – the American Enterprise Institute, The Brookings Institution, The Heritage Foundation, and The Urban Institute.

The Project’s primary goal is to expand the current national economic debate about economic inequality to also include a fundamentally uniting discussion of opportunity and mobility. As such, and particularly in the lead-up to a presidential election, it is critical that candidates and policy makers are informed by the hard facts about mobility in America today.

The ServeNext Presidential Straw Poll is now ready for your vote! Designed celebrate the season of service, create some friendly competition between campaigns, and address the unprecedented critical food shortage faced by residents in need this winter, the contest will benefit the New Hampshire Food Bank and its local agencies across the state.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW!

U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) are asking their supporters to take action - and they don't (just) mean phonebanking or canvassing. They're asking for folks to give back directly to their communities.

Through Thanksgiving, the Clinton campaign will collect food for those in need this holiday season.

During Thanksgiving week and through the end of November, the campaign will deliver food and other items collected to shelters and pantries throughout the state. “Serving the ‘least of these’ in our communities is the ultimate contribution to the common good. We are all blessed when we join together to offer a helping hand,” said Senator Clinton. “I am heartened that my campaign is joining with the people of New Hampshire in lifting up our fellow Americans in need as we enter the holiday season.”

At series of events today at colleges and universities throughout the Northeast including the University of New Hampshire in Durham, U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (NY-D) highlighted how eager young Americans are to give back to their country through National Service programs since 9/11.

During her remarks at each event, Clinton honored the activism and public service of students and recent graduates. In particular, she noted that between 2000 and 2006, applications to Teach for America nearly tripled and that between 2004 and 2006, applications to the AmeriCorps VISTA program jumped 50%.

Jim Wallis tells NH audiences: Creating change requires more than your vote

Progressive Evangelical leader calls on NH voters to create a political movement to address poverty, AIDS, global warming

DURHAM – (Oct. 16, 2007) The Rev. Jim Wallis last night challenged people of all faiths, as well as those who consider themselves “spiritual, but not religious,” to create a movement to address the major global issues of our time, including poverty, AIDS, genocide and global warming.

Wallis told a crowd of about 200 people in Dartmouth College's Rollins Chapel Monday night that “people of faith should be the ultimate swing voters,” who use their moral compasses to evaluate candidates. But he also cautioned that regardless of where the next U.S. President stands on these issues, he or she will not be able to solve them without “a social movement pushing them from the outside to make it happen.”

“Power concedes nothing without a demand,” he said, quoting abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

Peter Sullivan announced today that he will be a candidate for the Manchester Board of Alderman in this fall's municipal elections. Sullivan will seek the seat from Ward 3, which includes downtown and the millyard.

"Manchester city politics is ready for change. It's time for new voices, new ideas, and a committment to open and accountable government. That's why I've decided to run for alderman", said Sullivan.

"By tapping the talents and ideas of all of Manchester's residents, we can bring new voices to civic life. The era of political cliques and secret back room meetings must come to an end.

"By working together, we can craft a budget that ends the abuse of Manchester's taxpayers while meeting the needs of our residents.

"We can make our neighborhoods safe by putting more cops on the street, by cracking down on unresponsive slum lords, and by taking a tough, no-nonsense stand against the small number of irresponsible businesses whose actions threaten our community.