tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7368060344302126079.post7536063123823117644..comments2023-03-23T08:42:59.297-06:00Comments on The Q Lab: book thoughts: "the fourth political option"christina q thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13286664828300416360noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7368060344302126079.post-50559466921763681962008-12-11T22:45:00.000-07:002008-12-11T22:45:00.000-07:00Hmmm... I am reading this after class when I got t...Hmmm... I am reading this after class when I got the most awesome leg massage and I'm about to pass out on my bed.<BR/><BR/>Much of what he said resonates with me. I am with ya on the local level thing. Supporting the local economy, being pro-active in the community, getting to know your neighbors and the like and voting for your local elected officials.<BR/><BR/>My biggest beef when it comes to politics is the idea that the government is supposed to take care of our every single need. We were talking in my nutrition class about how in the 1800 - 1900's there were tons of small family farms and people were relatively self sustainable. Today that's not the case. Most people don't know how to grow their own food. We have become dependent on so many people and corporations to provide the goods we consume on a daily basis (which is good and convenient, but at it's own cost). The same with the government. As we become more dependent on other people to take care of us and provide for us and lose that ability to be self sustainable - then we are losing our own personal power and voice. And if the government doesn't take care of our every single need then we get pissy, blame all our problems on them and vote for a different party next term.<BR/><BR/>If we can learn how to provide for ourselves more and educate ourselves more (socialized medicine wouldn't be as big of an issue if more people used preventive medicine and learned how to take care of themselves besides eating 5 fruits and veggies/day) and share our abundance with each other(trading services is such an awesome thing!) then we wouldn't need the 'patriot act' or the government tapping into our cell phones or regulations on how the government thinks we should live.<BR/><BR/>Ugh... I think I need to go to sleep now...Dottie!https://www.blogger.com/profile/07964544679699181747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7368060344302126079.post-71847088660973600242008-11-24T20:13:00.000-07:002008-11-24T20:13:00.000-07:00Hey bid, this is none other than henry grey thomas...Hey bid, this is none other than henry grey thomas ( we are coming down for christmas) and ......................................................sweet blog (even though i didn't read it.)H.G. Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08251394913234093409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7368060344302126079.post-19568335850002110002008-11-16T16:57:00.000-07:002008-11-16T16:57:00.000-07:00Wow. That was really well thought, and definately...Wow. That was really well thought, and definately more intelligible than my recent frustrations with politics. I find myself in the 'sit back and watch how bad they screw it up now' party lately.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06204838018756030003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7368060344302126079.post-82525288162099367272008-11-14T23:44:00.000-07:002008-11-14T23:44:00.000-07:00i'm all about the local and individual level and f...i'm all about the local and individual level and firmly believe that's where change begins and where the most important differences can be and need to be made.christina q thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13286664828300416360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7368060344302126079.post-42442196642935561322008-11-14T19:00:00.000-07:002008-11-14T19:00:00.000-07:00I've heard so much about this book from you--glad ...I've heard so much about this book from you--glad to have an excerpt. This is interesting to me in light of the discussion Curt and I had last night as we read both in Isaiah and Section 42 of Doctrine and Covenants which define God's law of consecration.<BR/><BR/>A politician may adopt some of the rhetoric of caring for our fellowmen and sharing the wealth--and even be sincere and influential in that respect. I'm certainly drawn to would-be leaders who voice those ideals. <BR/><BR/>Living in a compassionate way even while living with significant differences is a challenge. It seems that it's hard for people to trust each other and believe that saying, "I choose a different way than you" doesn't secretly mean "I hate you." Parties evolve through the years--our country is fairly young and plays such a key role internationally...it fascinates me to think of the possibilities for good or bad. But I think that progress can be made on a local and individual level (and work its way up, I hope).Amanda, Curtis, Ellis, Hugh, Rhys, Graham, Sylviahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13143384660602442981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7368060344302126079.post-40947131233241571092008-11-14T11:33:00.000-07:002008-11-14T11:33:00.000-07:00I was just thinking this morning that what I neede...I was just thinking this morning that what I needed was a new political party. Our polarized party tradition doesn't serve me very well.<BR/><BR/>I think what I am looking for is government with a highly developed sense of stewardship on all levels of government action.<BR/><BR/>I'm interested in what the mayor of Newark, NJ is doing. It looks like it might be close to the combination of compassion and individual responsibility that I am looking for. (I think it was Newark, NJ)Sue Rasmussenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03857901743954597860noreply@blogger.com