Tag Archive for right

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.

Uncategorized , , , , , , , , ,

A Thank-Full Day

August 11, 2020 Comments Off on A Thank-Full Day

Often a “thank you” isn’t needed.  Why thank a person for doing what he is supposed to do?  Here’s a thought: a “thank you” may encourage someone to do the right thing the next time he’s in that situation, or it might be the only bright spot in his otherwise-depressing day.  I thank the driver who stops for me in the crosswalk, the bicyclist who sees me coming in my handicap scooter and moves from the sidewalk to the street, the woman who notices me pulling into a disabled parking spot and moves the shopping cart she’d blocked me with in the cross-hatch section, the teen who turns down his loud music when he notices that we at the next picnic table are being bothered by it, the delivery man for being gentle with my package, the child who puts his trash into the can without being told.  Why?  Because we are responsible for each other, including nourishing each other’s spirits, fostering actions that inspire others to care about members of the human family. Such is the power of a simple “thank you.”

Something to think about — and practice — on this International Thank-You Day.

Uncategorized , , , , , , , ,

Ahhhh….Those Beautiful Sentiments

April 4, 2019 Comments Off on Ahhhh….Those Beautiful Sentiments

Today’s Thursday Thought reminds us how much good expressing care, concern, sympathy, and even righteous indignation do…and about how we act.

“All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action.”  — James Russell Lowell

Uncategorized , , , ,

Tee-Shirt Truth

February 14, 2019 Comments Off on Tee-Shirt Truth

Sometimes I see a tee-shirt that resonates truth.  Like this one, which I offer as today’s Thursday Thought.

Uncategorized , , , , ,

We Must Earn Our Right to Complain

October 15, 2018 Comments Off on We Must Earn Our Right to Complain

You should be in decision-making mode right now, as vote-by-mail ballots arrive and voting day approaches very soon.  Here’s something to consider.

Lots of us are upset with laws that are being passed or how our elected officials are representing us. Many people are angry at new laws on the ballot that that will hurt specific economic, ethnic, or age groups, or that further endanger people who are already at-risk, or that fund projects that are clearly designed to benefit a small group at the expense of and little benefit to the rest of us.

Oddly enough, many who complain don’t exercise a basic American right that empowers the average person. They forget that one tiny individual voice added to all the other tiny voices equals a shout heard in the halls of all the legislatures.

Remember: you don’t have to vote on every issue and office. Vote on the ones you feel you understand and will have a positive impact on your state and country. BE that one vote added to another added to another that, together, DO make a difference.

This election, earn your right to complain: vote.

 

Uncategorized , , , , , , ,

Is That Legal?

September 6, 2018 Comments Off on Is That Legal?

There’s SO much arguing back  and forth about what is legal. As today’s Thursday Thought quote points out, that isn’t the real issue.

“Something must happen so as to touch the hearts and souls of [all people] that they will come together, not because the law says it, but because it is natural and right.”  — Martin Luther King, Stride Toward Freedom, 1958

Uncategorized , , , , , ,

Calling all Women!

March 7, 2018 Comments Off on Calling all Women!

Tomorrow is YOUR DAY.  It’s International Women’s Day. I’m not calling you to action or  protest or even stand up for your rights–unless, of course, you choose to.  I just want to wish you a joyous day in which you simply celebrate the woman you are.

Uncategorized , , , , ,

Some Facts About 36.7 Million People

December 1, 2017 Comments Off on Some Facts About 36.7 Million People

Not long ago, it was a death sentence.  It’s feared and misunderstood by many people. Even if it isn’t in the news as much as it once was, it’s still a huge health problem.

HIV/AIDS.

The situation is improving–mainly because of prevention and the fact that there is life-saving medical help. But people are no longer paying much attention to it or to those afflicted with it.

On this World AIDS Day, it’s a good time to catch up on the facts surrounding this disease that currently affects the lives of about 36.7 million people–plus their families and friends.  It’s time to fully buy into this year’s World Health Organization’s theme “Right to Health” and their slogan “Everybody Counts.”

Go to http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs360/en/ to read WHO’s fact sheet on HIV/AIDS.  Knowledge leads to understanding leads to compassion leads to a cure.

 

Uncategorized , , , , , , , ,

Make Sure You’re Heard!

September 30, 2015 Comments Off on Make Sure You’re Heard!

Make sure your voice is heard.  If you haven’t yet registered to vote, know that the deadline is coming VERY SOON.

Registration deadlines and requirements vary from state to state.  Go to http://www.vote411.org/search-by-topic?topics_tid%5B%5D=62&field_state_tid%5B%5D=8#.VgwP3vlViko and write in your address or state and find out what applies to where you live.

Register + vote = exercising your rights = making a difference in how you are governed.

 

Uncategorized , , , , , ,

Democracy in Tunisia & the U.S.

March 18, 2014 Comments Off on Democracy in Tunisia & the U.S.

Recently Tunisia passed a truly historic constitution widely heralded as a progressive and monumental document. 

Here’s just some of what these brave elected representatives agreed upon in the face of strong pressure from the more extreme factions of their parties:

  • Guaranteed equality between men and women
  • A constitutional mandate for environmental protection, only the third country in the world to do so
  • A declaration that health care is a human right, with preventative care and treatment for every citizen
  • A democracy with civil laws that respects freedom of religion
  • An established right to due process and protection from torture

 [Unfortunately, the U.S. falls short on some of these goals.  Let’s hope we and Tunisia can truly achieve all of them soon.]

In one stroke, Tunisia’s become more democratic than many Western countries have been for years. 

This is a revolution of democracy and a great victory for human rights — and the more we recognize that, the more Tunisia can shine as an example for the Western and the Arab world!

From http://act.watchdog.net/petitions/4238?n=61068103.4ibRdx 

 

 

Uncategorized , , , , , , , ,
« Older Entries