Focus on Empowerment!
It should be readily apparent to all of you that what we need most in this country is a truly Active Population. The lack thereof is what has gotten us into this mess in the first place.
While people in the early 20th century were busy making slave wages and marveling at such technological innovations as radios and combustion engine mobiles, great political forces were at work with plans to "enslave" future generations - a torch that has been passed down to this very day. All the while, the average citizen became more and more distracted with "everyday life" to the point that now large sections or our population do not even vote!!!
We know that this is all going to change, and we will be the catalysts. Not Ron Paul, but US, we are the creators of a new type of political involvement that goes beyond Partisan Dues and Demonstrations.
But one thing I see way too much of in this movement is a sense of dis-empowerment and lack of effectiveness. What I mean by that is so many people focus on the problems and aren't able to counterbalance those problems with equally powerful solutions.
Sure, we have our experience with the Paul campaign to thank for getting us really going and started up, but we must be honest with ourselves and realize how truly small this work still is in the big picture. We are no threat to the establishment just yet, and all too many of us get distracted with a sense of what I call "Revolutionarie's Ego" to realize that while we are becoming active ourselves, our methods are not as effective as we'd like them to be. By comparison we are far beyond the average citizen, but that is saying very little.
So, anyway, my focus is always on what gets results and has a truly powerful effect. Let's cut to the bottom line: Adversarial activism such as we are engaged in is NOT the most effective way for us to create and promote the change we all want to see!
It is just isn't. While Adversarial Activism has it's place and purpose, it is not at the top of the efficacy ladder if ever one were determined!!!
What I'm talking about is something so very new and largely unknown by the people that need it most, and I'm talking about Social Process Activism. Going beyond a particular issue and trying to fight opposing forces, and instead going right to the population, the people, and providing/encouraging/enhancing ways in which the common citizenry can become effectively involved in the political process, and decision making in this country!!!
This is new, powerful stuff, breathe deep.
So, instead of outlining how the Rockefellers are screwing you, or how political parties warp and manipulate our Republic, I'm going to simply provide you with some things which you can simply go ahead and "Google: " that will open you up, bit by bit, to methods and philosophies that will help you see more of this larger picture that I'm talking about. The picture that shows the way to creating a truly Active Citizenship that brings together ALL peoples from ALL walks of life and seeks to engage our wholeness towards creating a more positive, powerful, peaceful future and present.
Co-Intelligence
Citizen Deliberative Council
Consensus Process
World Cafe
Open Source Intelligence
Dynamic Facilitation
Danish citizen technology panels
feedback systems
learning organizations
Participatory Democracy(replace with republic if you like. . .)
Living Democracy(again)
Conscious Evolution
Social dreaming
systems thinking
Wisdom Councils
Noosphere
These are a few among many ways that we can co-create the world we all want, all people working together.
This stuff, especially the Citizen's Deliberative Council, goes WAY beyond any type of activism we're seeing today such as picketing, protests, etc. These are routes towards creating a truly Active Citizenship, the cornerstone of any free society.
No matter what, we need to focus on a broad sense of empowerment that goes well beyond the traditional "Us vs. Them" mentality and into something that is much more centered upon wholeness, interconnectivity, co-creation, and individual and collective intelligence. We cannot keep banging our heads against the helmets of the state and expect to one day win against it's vast machine. You don't fight tanks with sticks, you dig out the ground from underneath them when they aren't looking. . .
I hope you learn something from this. . .
output
Interesting read
definitely some good stuff
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Obama lowers himself and attacks McCain's war injuries
http://will86aber.wordpre...
yeah, check out jim rough's
yeah, check out jim rough's wisdom councils, very cool work!
Empowerment......
is the new buzzword to let you know that you are not all you can be and never will be. It is used extensively now in corporate agendas to let you know that you haven't taken charge of your career because you don't have 3 MS degrees and belong to 6 or 7 working groups\think tanks that ultimately have no bearing on anything, unless someone has insane funding.
Agreed, everyone should take control of their lives and participate in making society better, but this whole self help 'empowerment' thing is cliche now.
Yay for empowerment.
Empower Yourself check this node
http://www.dailypaul.com/...
Voting is the LEAST anyone
Voting is the LEAST anyone can do to empower themselves. . .there are much bigger and better ways that aren't being applied large scale yet!
The Prosecution of President George W Bush for Murder.
FREEDOM
It is a book by a lawyer stating the case that he is responsible for the murder of over 4,000 U.S. soldiers. Hummmmmmm!!!
While it's is something that
While it's is something that should be done, going after Bush and Cheney doesn't do anything to empower anything other than a lynch mob. What I'm talking about doesn't sound like "fight the Man!" it's more like "forget the Man! we don't need him, we're gonna figure this thing out together with or without him!"
Yeah, well I'd agree with
Yeah, well I'd agree with you if that is where I was coming from. . .but it's not.
Empowerment is what American people DON'T have, and that is precisely what is needed. When people feel like they can make a difference, then they will seek out ways to do so. I am living proof as I used to think there was no hope and then I kicked that idea and started seeking ways to be effective.
This whole movement here is about Empowerment, so for you to just throw that crap out there and not even talk about what is mentioned in the article is just wasted bits, man.
And what is with everyone getting caught up in terms instead of penetrating the words and going into the ideas themselves!?!? If something very useful or practical is posted but it contains the word democracy in regards to the country, people go apeshit talking about how it's a republic, not a democracy. And while I totally understand that, it's still like, the terms were not the important thing here, the efficacy of the ideas is the real meat. . .
Anyway, thanks for commenting, but could you at least honestly read it first and THEN comment instead of just blurting out a reactionary comment to one of the words posted?
Thanks.
ps
I say to focus on empowerment not because many people don't in this movement, but because so many people are still learning about the problems and so encounter very little in the way of solutions. This stuff I'm talking about is basically not beginners material in regards to this movment, anyone can understand it and apply it, but I'd rather people who have gone through some amount of "freedom and liberty education" to apply these techniques to most effectively restore our republic.
bravo- that would be- "the secret"
read it, quote it and think it the secret has been handed to each of us -this time it isn't even undercover. it says right on the front of the book- "the secret" how awesome is that?!!!
~peace
what book?
what book?
Here's some other
Here's some other interesting work that is similar in spirit. . .
http://oss.net
Link
doesn't work for me.
Dr. Paul cured my apathy
http://www.oss.net try that
http://www.oss.net
try that ive noticed problems getting on that site sometimes. . .
Thank you
Freedom brings People together
Jim Rough has some good
Jim Rough has some good stuff on Wisdom Councils. . .
also Google Mark Tovey and
also Google Mark Tovey and Robert David Steele
Good insight...
Here is something which is thought provoking and empowering too..(Change some words and there is a change in perception.)
If you replace the word "need" with "want", because, we don't need anything. We either want it or we don't...
When I learned to replace the word need with want, it's been a very positive impact. Using the word need has a feeling of being needy.
"It should be readily apparent to all of you that what we WANT most in this country is a truly Active Population."
DO NOT USE.../ USE INSTEAD
1) Need.../ 1) Want
2) Have to/Got to.../ 2) Choose to
3) Made Me/Make you../3) Response-Able (Ability to Respond)
4) Try (ie: tried to call)../ .4) Either "Do" or "Do Not" (called but no answer)
5) Expect (a result).../ 5) Prefer (choice means a number of different results)
6) I Can't.../ 6) Choose (to do something or not to do something)
7) Someday (=never)...//7) Make a decision!
8) Deserve.../ 8) Choose (to have things)
9) My (house,car,etc.).../9) The (house,car,etc.) = Stewardship
10) What if.../ 10) (lack of faith)
Thanks for the reminder
Accepting and declaring responsibility for our own actions and decisions is the first step toward personal power.
I especially like that you included #9. It's one that often gets overlooked. "My" denotes entitlement; "the" denotes responsibility.
Perceptions are powerful!
This is interesting, I'm
This is interesting, I'm going to think about this and see what happens!
Yes I like it!
Yes I like it!
thank you, wonderful posts & great replies
I'm going to keep the links for study along with the immediate focus on supporting Ron Paul delegates and the Rally.
Grab a copy of the book Tao
Grab a copy of the book Tao of Democracy by Tom Atlee, he's one of the guy's that is working diligently with this material, along with many others! I'll be interviewing him for a podcast I"m working on, so I'll post a link to that interview when it's done!
Otherwise, there's this:
http://www.veoh.com/video...
Jim Rough's Wisdom Circle's
Jim Rough's Wisdom Circle's are also a great idea worth checking out!!!
The Infrastructure Is Already Being Built
We just need to promote it, support it and use it.
We already have a world class DVD
Restore the Republic put Congressman Ron Paul on the national map through his role in the DVD, America: Freedom-To-Fascism
http://www.freedomtofasci...
We already have a world class monthly magazine:
http://www.republicmagazi...
http://www.republicmagazi...
Sold in lots of 100 for activists. Very effective!
We already have a world class volunteer management system
http://www.restoretherepu...
We already have a world class video library
http://www.restoretherepu...
Here's the guy who started it all.
http://www.rense.com/gene...
Let's honor his memory and keep building.
"Committed To The Eradication Of Poverty Among Patriots"
Yeah, I know all of this,
Yeah, I know all of this, but one thing many don't see is that all of this stuff you mention doesn't work for everyone. Some people are put off by it, others aren't interested in this type of activism!!! Everything you've mentioned is only one outlet for the entire country, and beyond, to organize and communicate and co-create, it's not the end-all-be-all, so we need to be very honest with ourselves about this and be open minded!
What I'm talking about is not give up all these things we're doing here, not what I'm saying at all! But, much of this material is still very "Us vs Them" which is a stance that has its place, but to go beyond that and to think about just "US", to drop the separation between ourselves and the problem, that is more what I'm talking about! I mean, we can blame the government all we want, but it's our own damn fault, and the fault of our previous generations, that are the cause and ultimate solution to our "government problems". We know this intuitively yet we so simply and easily still fall into the "fight" trap that only goes so far. . .
What this is talking about is promoting the PROCESSES that allow US, the community, the family, the country, to communicate, co-create, become mutually aware, listen, and learn together. This is how we learn to use our individual power collectively to create the change we ALL want!!!
Let's give an example: Say you've begun spreading the idea of consensus councils and one is formed in your area. Whatever the format, let's say it begins and one of the people is a Revolutionary. Then, all of these people will then be exposed to this information, and that will become part of the community's awareness of "the problem" and so will be included in "the solution". This is a terrible summing up, but it's late. . .but it can start to give you the idea.
For us to assume that if all we have to do is just present the People with this information, then they will automatically know what to do, or even WANT to do something about it, is pretty laughable and naive. People need to feel, and be, EMPOWERED, and that is what this stuff is all about!!! It's not about having power OVER something or somebody(a government, for instance), it's about having power WITH each other!
Seeing that together we not only get a better picture of what our troubles are, but we also get a better picture of what the SOLUTIONS are, we will begin to spread the true empowerment amongst the people that this country was intended for!
Look deeper. . .
Points taken
I find myself very often put off by the hypocracy of 'freedom fighters' running around telling Joe six pack and Freddie 401k how to be free when the fighters are no more free than anyone else.
Specifically in the area of finance those we are trying to educate have mastered some level of financial strength.
That aside I can't emphasize enough the value of Republic magazine.
It's editor George Shepard really has fused a mainstream appeal with powerful investigative articles. You really must get all the editions and see for yourself.
"Committed To The Eradication Of Poverty Among Patriots"
I've written a few pieces
I've written a few pieces for them already. . .;-)
Yeah, I think Republic, and RTR and all of this are valuable tools, extremely valuable as they are well organized systems that are spreading this sort of information that most Americans don't know about. The thing that happens a lot is that people find out, and then still do nothing because they feel it's too big- they are dis-empowered!!!
We bring empowerment to them, then this information we spread will have a MUCH more fertile ground to grow in. . .
Great thread
When I think on the future of the movement 'beyond St.Paul' (whatever the outcome will be) I have project like you do mention in mind. Most people on the DP emphasize the spiritual part of the struggle. Though I agree (I am not sure you do) that spirituality (in a broad sense) is very important, I see that for the long run (and especially if the situation is getting tough) organisational and technical progress is vital.
I see your thread on the same line as
social engineer's http://www.dailypaul.com/... and
Patty C's http://www.dailypaul.com/...
I think these are threads that will help us to go 'beyond St.Paul'
Dr. Paul cured my apathy
I think spirituality is
I think spirituality is important, but that is a very personal thing.
We do need organization, and more importantly we need honest and open dialogue and interconnected social progress, which are spiritual in a sense when viewed in the big picture.
Thanks for those links, I'll check them out!
There are people talking
There are people talking about a bridge between science and God, I think it's called the New Story or something like that?
* 7th Amendment*
The * 7th Amendment* Is all anyone needs to get involved with.
You always had the power. You were told you didnt have it, and you believed them.
Relearn it.
Pull them all out by their hair, kicking and screaming.
No need for questions. That time is over.
Yeah but doesn't that ONLY
Yeah but doesn't that ONLY deal with Trial by Jury???
TBJ is a wonderful form of consensus process, but it's only one that has application in one type of setting. We need consensus processes in many many more areas of activity!!!
Here's a quote from the
Here's a quote from the book, Tao of Democracy by Tom Atlee:
"Given a supportive structure and resources, diverse ordinary people can work together to reach common ground, creating wise and deliberate policy that reflects the highest public interest."
"What would intelligence
"What would intelligence look like if we took wholeness, interconnectedness, and co-creativity seriously?"
Here's one: Statesmen For Our Constitutional Republic
Here's a budding new organization being created by a Ron Paul Republican, designed to raise up a whole generation of Ron Pauls -- and a new website to bookmark and watch develop. Sounds like a sort of Toastmasters for future civil leaders.
The Statesmen For Our Constitutional Republic is an organization dedicated to support of responsible civic action, civic education, and community responsibility.
http://thestatesmen.org/
That looks like a good idea
That looks like a good idea if they can get it off of the ground and running! I think we do need to spread the idea that what we want is Statesmen in government, not Politicians!!! Most people don't know there is a difference. . .
When will this site be up
When will this site be up and running?
Statesmen Site
Hopefully, a good bit of skeleton documents will be up in the next week or two. I am stuck on rural dial-up at the moment which makes a lot of this painful, but we get satellite tomorrow, so I'll start being able to get a lot of the work done. As soon as I get up some of that skeleton, I'll start looking for volunteers and contributions to make it better.
Nice. Let us know.
Nice. Let us know.
still waiting?
still waiting?
Satyagraha! check it out!
Mike
"Fire Team for Freedom" and "Revolutionary Business"
visit www.mikeandjake.com
yeah totally, Gandhi was the
yeah totally, Gandhi was the shiznit!
love this
thanks
~peace
Permaculture is another one
Permaculture is another one I could have added to the list.
natural selection dictates that.
but good take on the subject,
I am hoping to meet a woman at this event. spending a week with Ron Paul supporters really sounds like a good vacation for me.....after I get done hauling the firewood and helping to build the stage of course.....
" the important thing is to never stop questioning, curiousity, has it's own reason for existing..
Albert Einstien
hmmm?
hmmm?
"In this country, first you get 'da money,
then you get the power, THEN you get the woman!"
Tony Montana
Scarface
"Committed To The Eradication Of Poverty Among Patriots"
If I didn't love that movie
If I didn't love that movie so much, Warbucks, I'd have to give a big WTF!?!?!?
;-)
don't be discouraged!
by those who don't or won't pay attention, when you try to talk to them. we are a republic because 51% of the people have always been sheeple. it only takes 20% to get the party started, we have those numbers.
I have reservations at the Ronstock event. I am looking at helping fellow patriots to attend. I am thinking of and have offered to bring extra tents. I have time and money, I am going to arrive early and stay late. I am going to do what one man can do.....
" the important thing is to never stop questioning, curiousity, has it's own reason for existing..
Albert Einstien
Hey HVACTech
Have you been gone a while?
___________
Lisa C.
www.dvds4delegates.com=Ron Paul, the 44th U.S. President
Join us at: www.campaignforliberty.com
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