Tag Archive for party

An Approach to Voting

October 9, 2020 Comments Off on An Approach to Voting

I’m not going to tell you WHO or WHAT to vote for, but I am giving you some advice to ensure that your vote will truly make a difference.

I’ve noticed the all-or-nothing attitude of people around me and people in general. That is, vote totally one party or another because they’re conservative/liberal/not socialist/progressive/whatever. Or vote for one candidate because they’re anti-abortion or pro gun control or some other single issue.

One problem is that no party is fully conservative/liberal/whatever. In the olden days they were more unified in a political direction. Today, though, both major parties have several wings.

Which brings me to the other problem. Voting straight party ticket does not guarantee that your main view will be pushed. Sometimes, for example, a representative will be against your view on civil rights and someone from the other party would have been more in line with your view. Or the candidate who is stanchly for that one view may go against your other important issues.

The best way to vote, then, is to figure out what you think would make this overall a safer, happier, more just country, then evaluate each candidate’s previous actions and stated goals, and vote accordingly, no matter what party they belong to. And examine your own moral stance not just over one issue but all that affect the common good.

In short, vote to strengthen the basic American values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

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New Year’s Prep: Fun Facts

December 27, 2019 Comments Off on New Year’s Prep: Fun Facts

Before hitting the New Year’s Eve party next week, bone up on the history of New Years. It will give you some topics of conversation both before and after people stop making sense and establish you as a New Years expert.

Fun Facts about New Year’s Eve will give you all the info you need…or want.

Happy 2020!

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Idea for a Party

October 8, 2019 Comments Off on Idea for a Party

Here’s an idea: have an Immigrant Party and invite your immigrant friends.  Don’t have any?  Sure you do.  All of our kinfolk came from somewhere other than the U.S.  Ask your guests to come ready to share their family history—why they came to the U.S., where they landed, what type of community they lived in here, the support system they had (church? neighbors from the same part of the world?), languages spoken at home, hardships they encountered here, what they went through to gain citizenship.  Maybe each guest could bring pictures of people, places, and documents, as well as a family keepsake that reminds them of those times.  You might even want to ask people to bring food to share from one of the cultures each guest represents. 

Spend the evening sharing your food and your stories.  By the end of the night it will be very clear why you are all friends—because we’ve been given the oceans not as an obstacle to divide us but as a path to bring us together.

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It’s Party Time! But Why?

March 5, 2019 Comments Off on It’s Party Time! But Why?

It’s Mardi Gras! OooooooKay. It’s a wild party, especially in New Orleans. But how the heck did the capital of Mardi Gras develop all its traditions around what is called “Fat Tuesday” the meaning of the French term “mardi gras”)? Why all the purple, green, and gold, and the costumes and masks? Why toss beads and fake jewelry at each other? Why the cake with a baby Jesus baked inside? Believe it or not, there’s a reason behind all of these. Find answers at The History Behind 5 of New Orleans’ Favorite Mardi Gras Traditions.

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Following Our Kids’ Example

September 18, 2018 Comments Off on Following Our Kids’ Example

LOOK AT WHAT SHE’S WEARING! I’ve said this to myself often, impressed by colorful ethnic dress.  But because I haven’t gone up to the person to compliment her, I’ve missed a chance to get to know someone new and probably learn something about a culture I’m not familiar with.  Too often we miss such chances.  People from ethnic backgrounds different from our own are all around us. We can grab the opportunity by sitting with them at church or asking to join their table at the Fellowship that follows. We can engage them in conversation at a party, during work breaks, before and after meetings.  Where we are gathered gives us subjects to talk about (the meeting topic or a critique of what the boss said or a new place to shop in the area).  Our kids have been doing this since 2002 nationally and locally at “Mix It Up at Lunch Day.”  If we follow their lead we’ll enrich each other’s lives and build a stronger human community.

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Why a White Elephant?

August 15, 2017 Comments Off on Why a White Elephant?

After Christmas, it’s thought of as great fun to have a “White Elephant Party,” where you exchange gifts you received but have no earthly use for–except to take up space and gather dust.  In case you’ve wondered, here’s the origin of the term “White Elephant” – something useless that nobody wants and is a burden to  own.

Actually, in Thailand, white elephants were once thought of as sacred.  At the same time, the Siamese king would foist one onto someone who fell out of his favor in order to punish him. That is, someone who made the king mad would find himself burdened with a white elephant, which was very expensive to care for and maintain, often driving the new owner into poverty. The “gift,” then looked like generosity on the king’s part but was really a sneaky way to get even.

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Tread Lightly–or Not at All

November 7, 2015 Comments Off on Tread Lightly–or Not at All

Get in shape to wear all those nice, revealing party dresses throughout November and January.  But be considerate of everyone else on earth while you do it.  One way is to stay off of the gym’s treadmills.  You’d be surprised at how much fossil-fuel energy is used by the large building’s AC kept high for exercisers, plus power to the treadmill and TV in front of it—it’s like leaving on 50 CFLs or three or four 46″ LCD TVs during your workout! Instead, use machines powered by humans–or run outdoors and soak up nature.

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[For more easy, money-saving, earth-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/view/7000 or your favorite e-book seller and download to your computer or e-book device. Totally free, with no strings attached.]

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Third Political Party is Devious

January 30, 2015 Comments Off on Third Political Party is Devious

No, I’m not talking about the Tea Party being a third political party.  Looking at how much is budgeted to be spent, though, there IS another party.  The Republicans, Democrats, and Koch brothers each plan to spend close to 900 million dollars to win the 2016 elections.

Where is the Koch Party’s pot of gold coming from?  Mainly from non-profit groups who, by the way, aren’t required by law to disclose who their contributors are, unlike the Democratic and Republican parties.  So, who is contributing how much?  Are the Kochs footing most of the bill and, therefore, buying most of the influence to get their ultra-conservative agenda and candidates in?  Who else is pouring money into the pot, and whom or what do they represent?

If the  Kochs want to act like a political party, they should at least have to abide by the same disclosure rules and make it clear whom and what they’re supporting so we voters can make more informed decisions.

 

 

 

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Swap It

January 10, 2015 Comments Off on Swap It

After Christmas, as you put away decorations and new gifts, you may throw up your hands and cry, “I have too much stuff I don’t use!”  Here’s a solution: Host a Swap Party.  Pick a category (CDs, kitchen, garden, sports).  Invite friends to come swap items they don’t use for something they will use. You’ll enjoy food, drink, conversation, and some good laughs over the items and where or why you got them.  Even if you bring home more than you brought to the party, at least you’ll have “stuff” that you actually use–and the landfill won’t be burdened by your new “treasure.”

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[For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/ view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-tailer.]

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New Political Party Worth Considering

September 29, 2014 Comments Off on New Political Party Worth Considering

Tired of the Democrats, Republicans, and other political parties, including the semi-Republican Tea Party?  About a year ago I proposed an alternative, and today–National Coffee Day–is the perfect time to propose it again.

Join our Coffee Party.  We’ll offer alert, robust candidates who have never bean influenced by special-interest drips, intelligent men and women who let an idea percolate before making a decision.  In fact, Juan Valdez, an excellent example, heads our Board.

We’ll energize American politics and fill all American’s empty cups with hope.  We’ll stop trouble before it begins to brew.

So, wake up, Dear Reader, and join our grande Coffee Party today.  You know you won’t be able to sleep until you do.

 

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