Capitalism, A Love Story

I saw Capitalism, A Love Story this weekend. There were a lot of things in the film that were shocking and depressing about unfettered capitalism. It made me outraged on so many levels, to see so much corruption and such an inherently harmful system in so many ways. Sometimes it seems like there is so much bad in the world it just seems impossible to make any sort of difference. But rather than spiraling down into a cycle of despair, cynicism and apathy, it seems better to do the few things I can do. First is just being the kind of ethical person I want to be and trying to make the world a better place in my immediate circle. Sometimes I wish I had money to throw at problems, but I definitely don't have that. So the next best thing I think is to support businesses who are ethical, which is difficult since so many seem to have shady practices, but at least I can try...so here are a few links I found that may be helpful...

Companies that bought life insurance policies on their employees (dead peasants insurance program). There are so many companies here it is probably difficult to avoid all of these, but I can try, and this does renew my determination not to shop at Wal-Mart.

Ethical companies of 2009. A good list of good companies, though a report from the WSJ does warn that this list has some conflicts of interest. Though so does the WSJ...

Does anyone else know of other good, ethical companies, that are not listed here? Or horrible ones to avoid? I'd love to hear about them.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered.

Last night I watched the election results at Adam Clayton Powell Square in Harlem. We were just going to stay in and watch it on tv, but they kept showing the huge party 3 blocks away. So three white girls from Utah walked past the ice sculptures at Sylvia's, high-fived people on the street, and bonded with a guy with an Obama doll. We got into the square and joined the party, watching the coverage, dancing, cheering, talking to reporters. There was everyone there-mostly black, but white, hispanic, young, old, children. When the race was called, everyone went crazy. The governor of New York spoke, and a hip hop guy, who I'm not familiar with. The sense of accomplishment was amazing. The issues are most important, and that is why I, and I believe most Americans voted for Barack Obama, but it is a historical time, and I think there is a lot to be proud of. In the speeches I heard, there were references to overcoming slavery, and the civil rights era, and it seems that everyone felt what a great victory this was. That things are now possible that people didn't believe were.

Most people who know me know I'm a pretty skeptical person. I don't give my support easily or blindly to anyone. So it felt unusual to me being there last night and actually feel hope, and pride for my country, which I haven't felt in a long time. When Obama came on to give his speech, I was again impressed by his humility, his non-divisive language, and his ability to inspire.

As I walked home in the middle of the street, part of a parade of people, cheering and dancing and feeling good about their country and their place in it, I've never been happier to live in Harlem.

a little game we play

A few weeks ago I flew with a friend who volunteers for the Hilary Clinton campaign in New York. He had a bunch of Hilary Clinton stickers. First I wanted one, just to have one for myself, as a souvenir. Even though I prefer Obama, by just a little, I still like Hilary. Then I got a brilliant plan. He gave me a few more, and I thought my dad might enjoy having them on his car. He he. It's actually pretty great, we have differing political views, but we are able to talk and joke about them. I didn't want to permanently put them on his car, so I just taped one to his steering wheel, so he'd see it right off. Then I taped one on the inside of the rearview mirror. My parents live in a very conservative area, so the thought of him driving anywhere with this made me laugh hard.

Apparently he thought it was very funny, and hasn't even removed the one on the back window yet! I just love to think of him driving around Davis County with "Vote Hilary 2008" on the back of his car. I'm surprised no one's said anything to him about it. Although it kind of reminds me of when he drove my brother's old car with the Beastie Boys sticker. I think the bumper stickers help keep him hip.

So a few days ago, he told me to look forward to something in my email and when I checked my email and received something from the Christian Coalition, I knew exactly where it had come from. There were all sorts of messages from my enemies (read post below about my grandma, if you don't understand this, and think I am really calling people my enemies, I am not). I learned about the horrors of the networks like ABC and CBS and FOX. I was really confused about this one, I thought the Christian Right liked Fox. I read about George Bush's outstanding judicial nominees, and how some very bad people don't want to confirm them. It was very educational. I can't wait for the next one.

in case you were wondering

Each US househould pays $138 a month to fund the war in Iraq. Wow. Good to know where my money is going. Soldiers in Iraq make about $40,000, while the contractors make $400,000. That makes perfect sense. Grrrr...

Articles are below:

http://www.quizlaw.com/blog/the_true_cost_of_war.php

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/28/iraq.afghanistan

Oh beautiful for spacious skies...

Hey, if you want to find out if you would pass the new U.S. citizenship test, click here.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21017895/

I got 88%!! I would not be deported! I did however, forget how long the President of the United States serves, thinking it was how long the current one is in...I am a genius.

"people ask me "lewis, why are you angry all the time?" and i say, so i can be prepared when stories like THIS come along!!!---Lewis Black-the Jon Stewart Show