tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222643.post61766713812566315..comments2023-10-10T08:33:26.926-06:00Comments on Byzigenous Buddhapalian: When ordinary people claim democracy as their own - UPDATEDPaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090720645937634051noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222643.post-2369873008043592008-07-12T19:52:00.000-06:002008-07-12T19:52:00.000-06:00Yes, Fran, thank Godde you did.Blessings!Yes, Fran, thank Godde you did.<BR/><BR/>Blessings!Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06090720645937634051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222643.post-50103198136832042482008-07-12T19:49:00.000-06:002008-07-12T19:49:00.000-06:00Did I really say that?Eek.Did I really say that?<BR/>Eek.Franhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07181529277715646835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222643.post-49362083254578221602008-07-12T06:50:00.000-06:002008-07-12T06:50:00.000-06:00This is very complicated and I think we are at a r...This is very complicated and I think we are at a real juncture here in our society and in the world. I don't want to sound all-crazy-ass-paranoid but this is what I think.<BR/><BR/>The "way" things are is the net result of a long time of change and the point is that we live in a society where even those of us who do want change, are very disempowered to do it.<BR/><BR/>Our world (refer back to your impoverished world of functionality only post) has been reshaped in some way from the dynamic to the linear, the collaborative to the hierarchal in a very extreme way.<BR/><BR/>Our companies (CEO pay vs worker pay),our churches, our living spaces (gated communities, developments with "boards" that decide what color your house can be, co-ops in NYC that deserve a post of their own) are but a few examples of how power becomes congealed.<BR/><BR/>Once power is focused in such a small space it is very hard to undo.<BR/><BR/>However, not impossible.<BR/><BR/>At this point in time in the US, I think we have a situation where the middle class/upper middle class (such as it is these days) are too afraid of giving up "comfort and convenience" and the poor are too beaten down.<BR/><BR/>Convenience told us that if we "paid" people -whether they be a clerk at a store, our employees, our kids even, and our candidates - via contributions... They better damn well do what we want.<BR/><BR/>Well - if democracy requires participation, paying someone to do the work does not really function, does it?<BR/><BR/>Sorry for such a long comment, I feel like we could both write posts about this element alone. <BR/><BR/>And I have just skimmed the surface. <BR/><BR/>Who knows if I make any sense, I think we all gave up a lot- both knowingly and unknowingly - along the way.<BR/><BR/>And we will have to all give up a whole lot more if we want things to change.<BR/><BR/>Which is a very challenging thought to me, I don't know how you react to it.<BR/><BR/>Yes I want real change - but what am I willing to give up to get it?<BR/><BR/>There is the question for me. I do find myself pausing -and wondering - and feeling afraid of the potential answers.<BR/><BR/>OK shutting up now.Franhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07181529277715646835noreply@blogger.com