Using IT for Political Advocacy

While many citizens choose Twitter and/or Facebook to advocate for important causes (or just vent), it’s definitely not the only weapon in the advocacy arsenal.

Countable and VoteSpotter are two apps enabling social advocates and political junkies to obtain info regarding issues and bills, so citizens can respond in real time to their elected officials.

We need everyone to fight for our Rights. Please contact your elected officials and tell them what’s important in your life. Remember, they work for you.

Do the elected officials in Washington stand with ordinary Americans – working families, children, the elderly, the poor – or will the extraordinary power of billionaire campaign contributors and Big Money prevail? The American people, by the millions, must send Congress the answer to that question. -Bernie Sanders

 

 

 

Your Cat and Thai Slavery

Well, that’s my cat up there; I adopted Luna a few months ago, but she only ate dry food. Since I felt this type of diet wasn’t good for her, I tried to find the best nutritious, wet (as in canned) cat food that she would enjoy. I tried numerous brands. Some she turned her nose up at, others she sniffed and eventually ate, and some she devoured.

Little did I know, one brand was from Thailand. At first, I was upset because I prefer to invest in American-made products. Then I was concerned the product might not be safe. After a quick google search, I found out Thailand strives to be the go-to exporter of pet food, but what I also found were disturbing articles related to slavery and the fishing industry in Thailand.

To be blunt, I cannot support companies that profit through slavery and hope others will do the same and not buy pet food from Thailand. While I tried to find petitions to add to this article, most were closed at this time. If more information develops, I will update this article. Readers, please feel free to share information in the comments section. Thank you.

“I cried,” said Mr. Long, 30, recounting how he was resold twice between fishing boats. After repeated escape attempts, one captain shackled him by the neck whenever other boats neared. – Excerpt from the article, “Sea Slaves: The Human Misery that Feeds Pets and Livestock” By Ian Urbina

 

 

Consumer Politics: BuyPartisan

Spending while Supporting Your Ideals

I’m fessing up. There are products I like that I no longer buy. Why? Because I know where the company’s profits go. Now, my purchasing power no longer supports a political party that is not in line with my political beliefs.

More consumers can take advantage of the power of the purse by using the “BuyPartisan” mobile app. With a simple swipe of a product’s barcode, you can find information regarding “political donations of the CEO, Board of Directors, PAC’s and employees of the company you are buying from.”

In short, money is power, so support companies with your ideals when spending your green.

It is money, money, money! Not ideas, not principles, but money that reigns supreme in American politics. – Robert Byrd

 

 

Archived Posters Remind Us of When Government Worked for the People

WPA Poster Image from Posters for the People and Berkeley.edu

I was reading an old magazine—one that I hadn’t read at the time it came out. The cover asked, Tired of the Doom and Gloom? I could give you the same answer then as I would now. Yes, I am tired of the doom and gloom.

This slice of timely irony encapsulated by an Utne Reader from September/October of 2008 came out at a not-so-great time for many of us. It reflected my feelings perfectly, then and now. So much so that I couldn’t even read what it had to offer at the time, but now it was one of the my last mags left to keep or recycle. This one was a keeper.

Halfway through the magazine, I came upon The Art of the New Deal by Joseph Hart who was touting socially responsible posters from the Works Progress Administration, a part of FDRs New Deal. The WPA was responsible for putting people to work, including construction workers, miners, office workers, but also artists, actors, and writers. It was a true slice of progressive Americana.

The article advised that these historical posters would be available online through an organization called WPA Living Archive. I kept repeating the phrase in my mind until I got to my laptop. (It was early morning; I hadn’t finished my first cup of coffee, and my brain requires java for memory.) I entered the address, and came up with nothing. I searched the words and found Posters for the People, and an incredible collection took over my screen—remnants saved from a bygone era when government, at the very least, seemed to care.

For those of you who aren’t aware, we wouldn’t have Mount Rushmore, the Hoover Dam and bridges like the Golden Gate without the WPA. It was a socially responsible program to get people back to work after the Great Depression. I know the concept sounds foreign, especially after dealing with a congress that can’t even pass a jobs bill.

To be blunt, it’s a shame we can’t find that kind of determined love of country in our government now because we would be in a heck of a lot better shape if politicians put workers first, so I say the American citizenry needs to demand it. Only then is it possible for a new congress to emerge—a congress that actually cares to do its job, and do it well.

Change will only happen if we do our job. We need to call our elected officials out, and if that doesn’t work, vote them out. And on that note, I raise my second cup of mud with a toast, “Here’s to a new deal for us all.”

 

The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much it is whether we provide enough for those who have little. – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Make a Difference When Gift Giving, Give a Goat

If you’re like many of us, you’re not sure what gifts to pick up for friends and family. Why not give a gift that will be sure to please the recipient and make life better for others? It’s easier than you think. The best way to help your local community is to buy local and buy products made in the USA. Another way to invest for the greater good is to purchase products from nonprofits. Either of these choices will make a positive impact in our communities and are sure to make your family and friends appreciate your thoughtfulness.

If you’d like to raise some eyebrows while making a difference, give a goat, a share of a goat or another animal through Heifer International. It doesn’t stop there. You can make this a family tradition, and get a different animal each year to celebrate the holidays or to remember and honor a loved one.

You can shop gift stores online at the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, Bread for Life, Best Friends Animal Society, Do Good Buy Us, Handcrafting Justice, Human Rights Campaign, NPR, National Wildlife Federation, PBS Sierra Club and St. Judes are just a few of the fine nonprofit gift shops to choose from, and all of their respective links are available here: Online Gift Stores That Benefit Nonprofits

Lastly, my thanks to ABC News for compiling an updated list of American-made products. To check out products made in the USA, click here: Made in America 2013: Gift Ideas

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” ― Mother Teresa

There is Still Time to Rise Up Against Income Inequality

Income in America Out of Balance

“A Harvard business prof and a behavioral economist recently asked more than 5,000 Americans how they thought wealth is distributed in the United States. Most thought that it’s more balanced than it actually is. Asked to choose their ideal distribution of wealth, 92% picked one that was even more equitable.” -Mother Jones Article: It’s the Inequality, Stupid

Obviously, our system is broken, but there is still time to fix it by rising up against income equality. It’s important to take the time to contact your elected officials, speak with your neighbors, and advocate with and for our communities. Together we can fight against the rising income equality in our country, and a way to start is by speaking up in support of living wage initiatives, and signing petitions such as the “Time for a Raise” Petition.

Once upon a time, the benefits of American life were bountiful, but our unions are being trounced upon by corporate interests. Full-time workers are living in poverty while corporations are getting subsidies, and taxpayers are picking up the tab for all of it.

So, please start your own raise awareness campaign:
-Support living wage initiatitives
-Invest in products made in the USA
-Support unions, local businesses, and artisans
-Contact your elected officials, and speak about the lack of job investments

Lastly, I want to thank you for your activism; it’s important that we all do what we can to extinguish apathetic tendencies, and promote opposition to income inequality in order to have equal opportunity for us all.

“There can be no peace as long as there is grinding poverty, social injustice, inequality, oppression, environmental degradation, and as long as the weak and small continue to be trodden by the mighty and powerful.”
-Tenzin Gyatso, The 14th Dalai Lama quotes (Dalai Lama, b.1935)

Call to Action For Our Independence

Photo credit to Google Free Images

On this holiday, most of our focus is on family, friends, barbecues and fireworks, but today on the eve of our national holiday my request is two-fold: a “call to read” the very document we celebrate: The Declaration of Independence, and a call to action to ensure our country knows the needs of our citizenry.

The Declaration of Independence is a quick read filled with contradiction, bias and hypocrisy, yet these words also reflect our rebellious nature which fills many citizens with pride. We are the United States of America; we are Americans. We understand that all men are created equal even if at the time of this document’s inception – or even now – we do not include everyone, nor are are they all treated in such a manner. Over the years, many people understood this document to be a starting off point not an end, and to those who fight for the America we endeavor to be, I salute you.

To those who shed light on the injustices of this world and request a call to action, thank you for your efforts in agitation.

To those of you who invest in our country, thank you for making the difference in our livelihoods and our future.

To those who fight “stop and frisk” procedures, thank you for your efforts in ensuring freedom for all.

To those who fight to stop fracking, thank you for your efforts to protect our environment and specifically our water.

To those who fought for a healthcare law because you understood the need, thank you for caring.

This list falls short; there are so many people who need to be appreciated for their efforts in working towards a positive evolution of our nation. So, I ask you to seize the opportunity to thank them, help them and if not already – become them. We can do better; we are Americans.

“When you have decided what you believe, what you feel must be done, have the courage to stand alone and be counted.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

Tis the Season

Photo credit to Google Free Images

Here we are in another season of shopping, but before we buy remember three important lessons: purchasing is power, let the buyer beware, and there is no greater gift than one’s time.  Yes, our gift giving has power, and when we give we can invest in our economy by shopping local or buying American goods online.  Furthermore, if you will be buying a gift for a child, safety is of the utmost importance.  Lastly, but most importantly: your time is the most precious gift you can give.

The best way for us to survive in this economy is to invest every dollar we spend on American products.  Purchasing is power and once again, ABC News comes to the rescue with their Made in America series.  This time their focus is on gift giving, and their list is quite comprehensive and includes links: Made in America: Gift Ideas.

Now for the kiddies in your life, I am sure a toy will go a long way, but you want to ensure its safety.  Thankfully, NYPIRG has a report just for you.  It’s their 26th annual report on toy safety called Trouble in Toyland which delves into various concerns such as toxins, choking hazards and noise levels and mentions specific products to avoid as well as where they are sold.

For those who are unable to purchase a gift this season, the greatest gift giving will be from you.  Please remember some of the most touching gifts are free, but are so special because they take time and effort.  You can write a heartfelt letter to a loved one, put together a picture video with a favorite song, set time aside to take over their responsibilities by baby sitting, assisting a caregiver, or cleaning and shopping for them.  It’s amazing what these gifts will mean to your loved ones; I know since I’ve given them, and I can state with absolute certainty not many gifts will bring a tear like helping those who are dear.

Here’s to a happy and healthy holiday season for you and yours…

“The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Help America – Buy American

Photo credit to Google Free Images

Some may recall a commercial with the jingle: Look for the Union Label; it was a promotion to invest in American products and essentially the American People.  Sadly, money is tight and usually the consumer will go for the cheapest product to get them by.  These products are usually not from the good old U S of A which to be quite frank is counter-productive for our economy and the well-being of our country.

Lately, ABC News Primetime has opted to exhibit stories highlighting homes, offices, organizations, etc. that would prefer to buy American, but do not know where to turn to buy these products.  After taking every imported item out of their respective domains, it is usually empty or possibly there is a lamp or a table left behind in the great expanse that was once filled to capacity.  I was reminded of this situation when I went to purchase products online, and noticed a “Made in the USA” section.  I thought it’s a shame all of the products were not from the States, but at least we have a section; this also prompted me to go a step further by not only purchasing American products, but sharing this information with other like-minded individuals who are interested in investing in ourselves.

We can still shop where we like to shop, however if they don’t offer American products or have a limited amount of products why not contact their customer service department and tell them you want American products!  Remember, you are a consumer, and you have the power!  Also, if the customer service department is in another country log that complaint too!  Now that we have a plan, let’s get our country back on our feet and don’t be quiet about it: tweet, comment, share and get the news out!

FYI: to get a wide range of American products and sites, it’s as easy as searching the internet for Made in the USA, but for those of you who wish to be site specific ABC News Primetime has a Made In America series which is not only following but supporting this concept and generated a list of online sources.  So do us all a favor, buy American, invest in ourselves and spread the word:

Resource Guide for Buying American

Made in American ABC News Primetime Stories

“Look for the Union label when you are buying that coat, dress or blouse.
Remember somewhere our union’s sewing, our wages going to feed the kids, and run the house.
We work hard, but who’s complaining? Thanks to the I.L.G. we’re paying our way!
So always look for the union label, it says we’re able to make it in the U.S.A.!”

– A song by Paula Green, music by Malcolm Dodds ©1975, UNITE
Union of Needle Trades, Industrial and Textile Employees
(formerly International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union and other unions)