After so many years of an increasing gulf between rich and poor, it should be obvious to even marginally objective observers that such a gap has very negative consequences. Continue reading
Christmas, Then and Now
This is one of many reasons why Christmas is as relevant today as ever. As we descend into the election season, we see the parade of candidates, would-be charlatans and pretenders to the throne, many wrapping themselves in a cloak of corrosive, self-righteous piety. Meanwhile in city after city, nation after nation, nonviolent people fill the streets on behalf of the dispossessed, forcefully urging, nudging, pressing us all towards a better world. Continue reading
Posted in Consumerism, Meditations, Quality of Life
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What the State of Our Health Care System Means to the Unemployed
When you lose your job, you have to replace lost resources by improvising. Many options exist for essentials such as food and shelter. Health care is different. In many situations, no amount of cleverness or commitment to self-sufficiency will see you through. Continue reading
Occupy Radio Network: A Proposal to the Occupy Movement
Currently most of the broadcast media in the United States are controlled by six major corporations, none of whom are friendly to OWS or any of the other Occupy communities. Imagine a network of stations sharing information, getting the word out, and making the case for creating a better world. Continue reading
Posted in Community, Raising Hell, Tools and Ideas
Tagged community radio, mass media, media, occupy, occupy everywhere, occupy wall street, OWS, radio
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A Minimalist Thanksgiving
You’re not trying to feed the whole block, so don’t try. Overindulgence sounds like fun until you actually do it. Make enough for nibbling afterward plus some leftovers. You want to enjoy yourselves. Continue reading
Zuccotti Park and the Incompetence of Violence
You would think that by now, Mayor Bloomberg and the NYPD would have learned the lessons from Spain and Egypt and Tunisia and Wisconsin, that repression only causes certain kinds of ideas to flourish. OWS is one of those ideas, and it will continue to grow. Continue reading
Posted in Community, Livelihood, Meditations, Raising Hell
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The True Message of Occupy Wall Street
Occupy Wall Street is telling the powers that be, “We can make a better society than you can, and here’s how to do it!” Continue reading
Posted in Community, Creativity, Education, Finance, Livelihood, Meditations, Raising Hell, Tools and Ideas
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The Other Price of Foreclosures
A growing body of research shows that foreclosure itself harms the health of families and communities. In our 2008 survey of 250 people undergoing foreclosure in the Philadelphia area, 32 percent reported missing doctor’s appointments and 48 percent said they let prescriptions go unfilled, significantly higher rates than others in their community. Continue reading
Posted in Finance, Health and Well-being, Housing, Livelihood
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Some Random Thoughts on “Occupy Wall Street”
As the general economic, political, and cultural climate continued to deteriorate it was hard for me to come up with hopeful, helpful things to say. I mean, what’s the point of clipping coupons when massive, indifferent or even malevolent forces were (and remain) poised to do so much harm to so many for the benefit of so few? Continue reading
Posted in Community, Meditations, Raising Hell
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Can you Make It on 8 Bucks An Hour?
Next time one of your smarmy friends or family members tells you how lazy the poor have it, how they get by with doing nothing and don’t need to get any help from government, challenge them to walk that talk–digitally. Continue reading
