tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965370542440002490.post4220146855002267294..comments2024-03-25T16:24:52.850-03:00Comments on Eco Yogini: The Yoga of VotingEco Yoginihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10693080137196812405noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965370542440002490.post-2418292587168975302011-03-28T16:40:02.963-03:002011-03-28T16:40:02.963-03:00You're absolutely right. But also voting does ...You're absolutely right. But also voting does make a difference. Look at all the races where one person was elected by only a few votes--and I do mean a few. It takes all of us doing a lot of things to make a difference. <br /><br />Well done post.Fragrant Liarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09452052210826471034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965370542440002490.post-88087074709421651042011-03-27T11:21:52.366-03:002011-03-27T11:21:52.366-03:00The spirit of this is very moving, I hope others w...The spirit of this is very moving, I hope others will be inspired.<br /><br />I gave you one of my weekly Goddess Awards which you can collect anytime if you like.<br /><br />Be well,<br />EliseEveryday Goddesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00486528297252417282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965370542440002490.post-32095430997017573752011-03-25T23:15:19.685-03:002011-03-25T23:15:19.685-03:00I completely agree with Andrew! Go Green Party!!! ...I completely agree with Andrew! Go Green Party!!! I also agree with Nathan. We need to keep supporting the grassroots efforts out there to make the changes on the ground and build momentum that causes the politicians (and other voters!) to pay attention and really make a change.<br /><br />PS. I joined KIVA last month and am so happy about it! Thanks Andrew for the inspiration.Allihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18387430912583880104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965370542440002490.post-67584475040135236422011-03-25T15:50:14.445-03:002011-03-25T15:50:14.445-03:00I think all that investment in NGOs and grassroots...I think all that investment in NGOs and grassroots efforts is essential. Governments really only offer the kinds of changes you're talking about when a)enough "average" people have actually attempted to create it on small scales and/or b)enough of those same people have pressured the crap out of said government. Otherwise, it's almost always the monied interests that win out on policy. <br /><br />Voting is an important tool to some degree, but people overemphasize it's effect and potential. Getting Obama and Democrats elected in 2006, 2008 here in the U.S. did little to change what's going on here. And yet, millions of people stepped away from their grassroots efforts to get these people elected. Personally, I feel this was a great waste. Anti-war, environmental, and other major movements stall, and don't often recover from the people drains that occur during election seasons. <br /><br />So, I really think it's more intelligent to do things in your own life, and to be involved in something collectively in your community - and recognize that at certain points, it will become a necessity to press for government policy change.<br /><br />However, too often it's all backwards - electoral politics trumps everything, and governments slide further and further to the right. The rightward creep has been going on in the U.S. for at least 35 years. In Canada, at least a good two decades. In half of Europe, a good two decades as well. <br /><br />Major social change almost always happens outside of government power structures, but tends to need some official endorsement in order to penetrate the broader masses who haven't already shifted.Nathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13920234350446745482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2965370542440002490.post-56503930640992360102011-03-25T12:11:28.560-03:002011-03-25T12:11:28.560-03:00A while ago I read a totally unrelated article in ...A while ago I read a totally unrelated article in The Onion - http://www.theonion.com/articles/how-bad-for-the-environment-can-throwing-away-one,2892/ - about 30 million people thinking that throwing away 1 plastic bottle won't make a difference. I can't help but draw parallels with voting. Besides the ovious fact that more people should vote, I believe more people should vote for a party that reflects their own core values. That could mean voting for the environment (Green Party) or voting for copyright and patent reform (Pirate Party). What if everyone starting voting for who they believed in instead of thinking a vote for an alternative party is wasted? Vote for who you want to win, not who you think will win.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03312290356279430924noreply@blogger.com