An idea for our group here- the DU Onecorps group

[Beaverhausen]

How about we take our energy and belief in what John stood for and put it to use out in the community?

Since we are really all from different places in the US, we can't do it together physically, but how about if we find one small charity who could benefit from a small donation from each of us?

You know, a local group who provides something like rides for parents of sick children, or rides to disabled people to the store or the doctor. Something along those lines perhaps?

I know many here don't have a lot of money to give, but those of you who were about to donate again to Edwards, maybe we can make a small difference somewhere.

Does anyone know any small charities that we can help?

Bobbolink - I'm thinking you might have some ideas for us!

:loveya:

[asdjrocky]

1. What a great idea.

I'm in.

[waiting for hope]

2. Me too -

My OneCorps chapter here in Wilmington has never really been that active.

[Silver Gaia]

3. I like this idea, too.

I was already thinking along these lines... what to do, where to focus my energies that would carry on in the spirit of John's campaign.

[Ninga]

4. Great idea, I love it.

[Greylyn58]

5. What a wonderful idea!

[bobbolink]

6. I respectfully ask.....

That Edwardians put their considerable brain power, passion and any other resources into something that is getting NO traction.... creating homes for those of us without.

There are plenty of "charities" to give to that already receive response from even conservatives. How 'bout putting our energy into creating something that doesn't exist? Yes, hard work... but possibly something of much more depth!

Habitat for Humanity (those who can qualify, only) has been a huge success in terms of image and visibility.

There is NOTHING for those of us who are too poor for Habitat! How 'bout we start there?

When we can get our brain cells working again, lets put heads together and come up with a feasible plan. We are smart people, we have passion and heart.... let's use it for something creative!

I ask you to do this... DU already runs a drive for a status quo charity every year. Most people are stuck in a rut in terms of charity.

Let's follow in John and Elizabeth's footsteps, and strike out with something bold.

This means a lot to me!

I have lost my champion today, and it would help so much if Edwardians could see this as something important enough to put our heads and hearts together for!

Oh, and thank you for asking. (Bet it's the last time you do, eh? hehehe)

[smokey nj]

7. I think this is a great idea, bobbolink.

Everyone should have a warm place to rest their heads at night. Affordable housing for EVERYONE is a big issue for me.

[Beaverhausen]

8. Edwards inspired me and a lot of others to reach out and help

Bobbie- I knew you would have good ideas.

Lets brainstorm ideas here. How can we help people who can't afford the Habitat for Humanity homes?

edited to add this link:

http://www.homesforthehomeless.com/


editing again to add this:

http://www.pathwaystohousing.org/Articles/PTHPress/HomesfortheHomeless.html

[bobbolink]

9. Right away, what I see... surprise, surprise... it's only for "families"... with children.

Since, at 62, I seriously doubt I'll have any more children, I guess I'm a useless eater.

Really, I know you want to find some answers.... I'm just feeling very adrift, and all these standard things have left me out in the cold, literally, and continue to do so.

I want EVERYONE to feel valued!

[smokey nj]

10. Here's a link to the National Coalition for the Homeless. Maybe this would be a good place to start

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/

[bobbolink]

12. What I'm asking is that we try to think "outside the box", as the Edwards' did.

did you see that article about Edwards, becoming to poverty, as Gore is to climate change?

Gore thought very differently, and look what he accomplished. We're smarter than the coalition, and I think we can accomplish some great things, too.

I hope that came out right.... I admit to being addled today.

[Beaverhausen]

13. Bobbie- since you are in the situation the rest of us aren't please help us

help us to know how to help you and others like you.

Remember, we are a small group and can do a small thing, but we hope it will be a big thing to someone.

[bobbolink]

16. Please see my #15, and see if that rings any chimes for ya...

I'm looking at this group as more of a very potent "think tank" (GAK!), rather than a raiser of funds.

I don't know about you, but... on my best days, at least, I gots more brain cells than bucks....

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Really, we're a bunch of schmardt cookies...

:grouphug:

[Two Americas]

21. thinking

It never ceases to amaze me that those with the least in material things are the first to value intangible things.

Yes, yes, yes. It is the thinking that is wrong. We cannot change the physical reality until we chnage the thinking.

[smokey nj]

14. I'm still thinking, Bobbie!

:hug:

[bobbolink]

15. Yeah, I thought I smelled it burning...

~~chortle~~

What I'm suggesting is that we try to look deeply at WHY there is so much ignorance, and WILFULL ignorance.

I thought all I had to do was to educate people, and help them to walk in another's shoes. That worked 20 years ago, when I did my book, but no longer does.

People are PROUD of their insensitivity to homelessness, and PROUD of not caring.

Somehow, we need to be able to figure out what that comes from, THEN we can figure out how to address it.

Until we do that, all proposals, I fear, will fall flat.

And I don't know about you, but.... I don't think I can handle many more failures....

There are some very good minds here, and if we really think together, I do believe we can crack this tough nut.

Hell, DU is a great laboratory for trying out theories...

:rofl:

[smokey nj]

18. How about a Bonus Army-type action in Denver during the convention?

[bobbolink]

19. OMG!!! That has possibilities!!

I was just talking about the Bonus Army to a young (9th grader) here in the library!

Problem is..... how many "progressives" would even entertain such an idea????

Oh... let's talk!

:hug: :loveya:

[smokey nj]

20. This is where we could possibly use the help of groups who advocate for the homeless.

I'll contact the NY Coalition for the Homeless and run my idea by them.

[bobbolink]

22. Do you have personal contacts there who you trust and respect?

I'm asking because my experience with the Colorado Coalition isn't that great. Granted, that was 20 years ago, but it's the same director.

These agencies get a power complex, and once you invite them in, before things are already set, they take over.

They haven't solved anything in 20 years, and it's time for new thought.

I'd rather we see if we can come up with some fresh ideas before handing things over to some established group.

It's We, The Peole time!

[smokey nj]

23. Actually no, I don't have any contacts. I'm gonna do some Googling

and see what I can come up with. Do you know of any groups would would help out with something like this?

[bobbolink]

24. At the risk of sounding like a real wet blanket, I strongly believe we need to look to ourselves

FIRST!

These agencies are out to perpetuate themselves first and foremost, and don't do a very good job of listening to those on the bottom rung FIRST.

They dictate from on high, and we poor folk have had quite enough of that.

I don't see the value of handing power over to yet more groups.

Lets talk this through first... WE are smart, and WE have the passion and heart.

WE can do much without the power!

:loveya:

[smokey nj]

25. Let me sleep on this tonight.

[bobbolink]

26. Let me give you this suggestion:

I didn't realize you would be taking off on this so quickly! I figured people would have to wait for the mourning period to commence... :)

Here's my suggestion... rather than spend a lot of time and energy (and note taking) googling... try to get this book from your library:

"Faith Works", by Jim Wallis. (Doesn't matter whether you have "faith" or not... it's not written in gawd talk....)

Look for the chapter "Listen to those closest to the problem". He gives good examples of listening to poor folk, and delineating the solutions from that, rather than listening to the "experts".

I think it will give you some good input.

Thanks for all your passion! It means so much to me. I've felt so alone, and today was ... well, you know how awful it was, and I felt bereft. It means everything to me that you are taking this so seriously!

:loveya: :hug:

:yourock:, smokey!

[smokey nj]

27. Thanks Bobbie! I'm damned serious about this, we can't give up without a fight and without

being heard. I'll check out Jim Wallis' book.

[bobbolink]

28. You're the best, smokey!!

Let me know if you have a hard time finding it, although he's a best-selling author, so any self-respecting library should have it. :)

Just that one chapter would be a big help, I think.

Thanks for being so willing!!

:loveya: :hug: :yourock:

[Beaverhausen]

30. what's a bonus army?

[smokey nj]

32. During the depression, a group of WWI veterans camped out on the Anacostia Flats in Washington.

They went there to lobby the government to give them the bonuses they were promised early. I was thinking that maybe we could show up in Denver as a People's Delegation.

Here's info on the Bonus Army.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonus_Army

[Beaverhausen]

33. I feel stupid for not knowing about that

That is so interesting. They brought about the GI Bill of Rights!

we would have to show up in really large numbers- but it's a great idea.

[smokey nj]

34. No need to feel stupid. We're all taught about the GI Bill, but rarely about the event

that precipitated it. How it ended is one of those things that's swept under the rug.

[bobbolink]

43. Then, if you want to know just how much we weren't taught in history class,

Get the video, "THe Plot To OVerthrow FDR", which was VERY real, and features both the Bonus Army and Gen. Smedley Butler.

Only 43 minutes long, and a great intro to learning the problems of fascism in this country, and how we've been taken over by the corporations.

There will be a quiz.... :rofl:

:hug: :loveya:

[smokey nj]

11. Here's a link to the Coalition's national directory.

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/resources/state/index.html

[bobbolink]

17. After your kind opening of a door for me, I hope I haven't been pouring too much cold water.

I don't think my words are coming out very well today, so please know that I'm very grateful for your thoughts, and just... well, bumbling along....

I've been thinking on this for a long time, and have no answers. All I know is my abominable experience, and maybe something very useful can come of that pain. And the pain of others.

It's like a maze, I guess, and with enough choklit at the end, I think we can find our way through it.

At least we'll come up with some powerful hints.

If I've rained on your parade at all, pleeeez forgive, 'K?

[Two Americas]

29. political solution

It is going to take a political solution. We all know how the liberal activist organizations and non-profits work out - counter-productive at worst, paternalistic and ineffective at best.

We should all know by now that very few among the better off, liberals or whatever, are going to help. Most of the time they actively work against us, and DU is just full of hostility to the cause of the left behind and forgotten, as well as to everything that the Democratic party once stood for. Edwards failure will be held up as an example of the "unpopularity" and "impracticality" of advocating for the have-nots or promoting traditional Democratic party ideals and principles for a generation, just as McGovern was and Kucinich has been. "Don't get me wrong, I agree with you, but..."

We have been running for 40 years with non-profits and do-gooders, and the problems get worse. Everyday on NPR I hear "The William and Catherine T. McCarter Foundation...working to solve the problem of homelessness..." blah blah blah and I am sure that millions in grants and donations just flow like water, and lots of people have lovely lifestyles and positions in various organizations "helping solve the problem."

It is going to take a political solution. How many years are we going to keep trying the same failed approaches again and again. What we have been doing is not working.

[bobbolink]

37. You are absolutely right, and here is my dilemma....

As the homeless poster child, I"m alone and isolated at DU. People think there are answers, and that those answers involve the same things that have been done over and over.

When I, *alone*, say, "NO, that doesn't work... let the run of the mill liberals and conservatives keep doing those things", then I've frustrated them, and they finally direct their frustration to me, as the one who is putting up "roadblocks", as they see it.

It will take a whole new direction, and since I'm not smart enough to have it all delineated, I fear that I will end up, once again, after many well-wishes, as the evil one.

That's my big fear in all this.

[Two Americas]

39. I fully understand

OK, look out folks, I am going to cut loose with a rant here.

There is no way around the need for setting up organizations (defined the way that word once was, not by the modern corporate top-down marketing definition) for mutual defense and support.

There should never be a separation between people's personal needs and their political activism. This is an artificial separation and it is killing us.

Politics doesn't happen in Washington, it doesn't happen at the Democratic party meetings, at the activist events. It happens everyday everywhere we go with everyday people, or it isn't happening at all.

Liberal activism has become a weekend hobby activity for those few with the time and resources to indulge themselves. The goal of it is to make the liberals feel better about themselves. Poor people are just pets, mascots, extras in their Hollywood soap opera called "Aren't We Just the Most Wonderful People?" So are minority people. Oh sure, liberals think pets deserve love while conservatives think that pets need discipline - but both groups see poor people and minority people the same way they see their pets. It gets worse than that - pets get MORE attention and consideration than human beings do.

Everything the right wingers say about the hypocrisy of modern liberalism is true. Can we get our heads around that one? Or are we more loyal to the beautiful people controlling liberalism and the Democratic party then we are to the millions of people who have been betrayed? Do we really think that half the population is insane, as the liberal leaders would have us believe? Poor people don't trust the liberals and the Democrats anymore than they trust the Republicans. And they have good reason for seeing things the way they do.

The dividing line in the country, the battle line, is not between liberals and conservatives, it is between the well off and the not so well off. Obviously. Undeniably. The evidence that this is true screams at us from every direction. Over half of the people in this country have been completely erased from our view of politics. Some seek refuge with the Republicans, some with the Democrats, but most have just given up. They know that politics has no connection to their lives. We are led to believe that it is only "smart" people - smart in a certain way, which is mostly a matter of unearned advantages - can understand and talk about politics, and that politics can only be discussed among the smart people - the "like minded" ones...God I hate that phrase.

But the everyday people are far smarter than the activists and the party leaders, and they are not permitted into the inner circle. They are patted on the head like they were children, and sent on their way so the elite can get back to business. The everyday people know that the system is rigged and corrupt, they know that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, they know that it is going to take something big to change that, they know that Democrats and liberals are nibbling at the edges of the problems and pandering to them, they know that the people who control modern liberalism and the Democratic party are much more concerned with their own well-being and status than they are for the desperate needs of the people.

In our corrupted culture and economy, there is no way to be successful without making massive moral compromises - this cannot be escaped. That does not mean that successful people are evil, it means that the system is evil. There was a time when it was the people who produced things, who were dedicated to something other than turning a buck, who were admired, and those who cleverly feathered their own nest or who figured out how to prosper materially without any social conscience were viewed with suspicion. Today that is reversed, and anyone who does anything that is not self-serving, that is not clever and materialistic, is treated as a pariah, viewed with suspicion or contempt. Are we ready to stop automatically admiring the successful and kissing their asses at every turn while blaming the less successful for the misery this society throws them into? Are we ready to challenge the pervasive and inescapable idea that all worth is measured by material success? That money is more important than human beings - that it is the only valid measure of the worth of a human being?

What sort of culture is it that gives the predatory, the domineering - the bullies - the benefit of the doubt while placing ever greater burdens on those who are rejecting, or who are being rejected by that culture? It is the bad choices that are rewarded in this society, not the good choices. The worse the choices, the more lavish the rewards. Are we ready to see that? It requires re-thinking everything.

I have been to so many Green party meetings, and I say to them that if they want the Green party to grow, why aren't they canvassing the poor and the minority neighborhoods? I always get these gaping blank stares from people when I say that, as though I had just spoiled their elegant little get together. Raise that issue and you will be shut out and ignored from then on.

We are the ones - the intellectuals, the writers, thinkers, organizers the politically knowledgeable - we are the ones who are missing in action. We are the ones who have failed, not the people. We are the ones who need to wake up, who are not so smart after all, who are the missing ingredient. We are the ones who have been brainwashed, we are the ones who have been corrupted and co-opted and who are to blame for the nightmare in which we are all being forced to live.

We are supposed to be the voice of the people, not the voice talking AT the people.

[bobbolink]

40. oh, gawddess! May your rants never cease! This is BEAUTIFUL!

Unfortunately, I doubt very few will read.

I will ask you a HUGE favor... will you put this in your journal, but most of all, will you post this in GD?!

You deserve the attention that other DU writers get -- lots of readership, and support for your ideas!

Finally, I feel like there is actually someone on DU in the corner of those of us who are perenially left behind!

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[bobbolink]

47. You've made my life hell. I'm now even MORE ANGRY!

I guess, even though I was a fighter, I've harbored the idea that somehow I have it wrong.

That somehow, if I was just a better person, I'd be doing better, and people would accept me more.

You have written this out so clearly.... it's inescapable... we are on the verge of a new movement, and new movements are never popular.

I'm bound to be an outcast wherever I go, and you say it so well.

UNCLEAN! UNCLEAN!!

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

thanks, Two Americas, for speaking for me!

:hug:

[Yael]

31. I am in. Just let me know what needs to be done

[Beaverhausen]

35. kick- lets keep the ideas coming

Last night I watched Edwards speech again in front of those houses in New Orleans and felt so sad.

We have to keep up the work he started.

[iris5426]

36. I'm in, and I think the ideas that are here so far are great...

I'm an accountant and getting busy as hell, but I definitely want to be a part of this...

[Plucketeer]

38. I've been giving donations of food to the local food bank.

I'll continue to do so as well as consider other things that might help.

[bobbolink]

41. Will you be willing to participate in an in-depth discussion of steps beyond the usual?

I really hope so, as there is much to be done beyond what is done now.

I hope you will read some of Two America's rants.... he gets it!

Thanks..... your support has meant so much! :hug:

[Plucketeer]

44. Who said I wouldn't?

:hug: :party:

[bobbolink]

45. ummm, jes' askin'...... ^_^

As Two Americas said, it will be a difficult discussion, and beyond what so many people are used to.

I"d love to have your input!

:hug: :hippie: :hug:

[Plucketeer]

48. I'll listen

And contribute what I can. ;)

[Two Americas]

42. the barrier

If we are serious about breaking through the barrier, I think we need to be ruthlessly honest with ouselves about what that barrier is. This won't be easy, because we have internalized the barrier. It will take guts; it is not the comfortable path by any means.

This great blog post Ninga found talks about this.

"JOHN EDWARDS' HIDDEN PROBLEM"
Sam Smith
http://prorev.com/2008/01/john-edwards-hidden-problem.html

Some excerpts -

"One of the delusions of elite liberals is that that they lack prejudice. To be sure, they treat black, women and gays far better than once was the case. But if you are poor, uneducated, own a gun, weigh a lot, come from the South or mainly read the Bible it is another matter. Class and culture have replaced the genetic as acceptable targets."

"For many years, as the Democratic establishment has become wealthier, the traditional Democratic base has been steadily pushed away as too dumb, too prejudiced, or otherwise too unworthy of the party. It wasn't that abortion, gays and family values were intrinsically so important. But if your campaign contributors won't let you talk or do anything about pensions, healthcare, outsourcing or usurious interest rates, the door opened wide for the rightwing hypocrites."

"Edwards' problem was that he made the smug set of American liberalism extremely uncomfortable. He showed them what they should really be thinking about and what they might do about it. And they didn't like it. Far better to relax in the self-righteousness of choosing between a Harvard Law School black and a Yale Law School woman."

But the best analysis of this problem - the barrier we face - I ever heard or read was a speech by Malcolm X I heard in Detroit back in the 60's. I will see if I can dig up a transcript.

[Ninga]

46. I have no idea how I can contribute or be a value, but I am very taken with this idea and want to

see it have a chance.

I will continue to read and check in and see where I can jump on....

[Samantha]

49. I was just pointed to this thread and admittedly have not read

all the responses. It's late and I am turning in but I would like to ask a quick question. Is there anyway of helping the 200 people living under that bridge in NO that John Edwards specifically referenced yesterday?

Sam

[Andrea]

50. Wow

I can't believe I missed this post before. Such an excellent discussion. I love the idea of doing something outside the box to attack the problem of homelessness. I must admit, Bobbolink, when you mentioned the idea of helping people too poor for Habitat for Humanity and people that don't have children, you really struck a chord with me. Because I am single, and childless by choice, I am really sick of seeing all charitable thoughts and actions directed toward "families". Many of us aren't in traditional families, but aren't we still in the "Family of Man"? (Not a PC phrase anymore, but it resonates with me.)

Two Americas, your rant is right on. Bravo!!

Ninja, thanks again for finding that article.

Beaverhausen, you really started something.

I hope I can contribute something to this really great idea. I like the idea of the Bonus Army. It lends itself to some visual representation, good video, or whatever they call it. In other words, I think it could get coverage. Maybe we could get people to come to Denver and be augmented there by people already in Denver or nearby.

I'm going to put Jim Wallis book on reserve at the library so I can pick it up this weekend. I'm going to think about this through my whole dreary day tomorrow.

Thanks, everyone!

[bobbolink]

52. Andrea, what a beautiful post! You've raised my spirits!

Thank you for being willing to look at the Wallis book!

And, yes, I keep hammering about the "families" issue... and you wouldn't believe the crap I get at DU about it "But, but but... it's more politically powerful!" Right, while single people, including elderly and disabled, suffer and die, because we aren't "politically" cool. :puke:

We have to keep hammering these things, and I appreciate you speaking up!

I hope you also see the quote I put further down, about art. Are you artistic?

Thanks again... I appreciate the attention you gave to this!

:hug:

[Andrea]

53. funny you should mention that

(Sometimes I get the impression you are a bit of a psychic, Bobbolink.) While I have a day job to pay the bills, the real me is an artist. I do pencil drawings, color and black and white, watercolors, and some photography.

I can start right away working on some visual representations. I'm thinking about those incredible dust bowl photos from the 30s. I can see what I come up with and post some things here. If people like them, perhaps I can set up a CafePress shop to have t-shirts, stickers etc. with the pics.

I live in downtown Columbus, quite near some of the homeless camps. I am acquainted with some of the folks who live there. This might give me the opportunity to have some of them allow me to photograph them. I DON'T want them to feel exploited, but perhaps since they know me as that nice lady who always walks her beagle and sketches in the park, they might be comfortable with it. I can give them final approval on any images we use that they appear in and maybe we can use some of the profits for these particular people.

This reminds me of something I have been thinking about for some time. I have tried to think of what I could afford to do that would really be helpful to these folks. On some occasions, when I have seen a great deal on blankets, or hats and gloves, I've purchased what I could afford and passed them out. But, it never seemed like much of a help. I was thinking that maybe they would get more use out of waterproof tarps. Those blue plastic tarps could be used to wrap their belongings in by day, with help of a couple bungee cords, and then spread out at night for a waterproof barrier between their blankets and the ground. Does anybody think this would be a useful item? If so, what would people think of using some profits to buy these for the subjects of my photographs/drawings/paintings? Even if people don't agree with this use of profits (perfectly understandable as we will have other things we need to use profits for), let me know what you think of whether these would be good gifts. If so, I'll just start to go ahead and do it on my own.

Also, if anyone else here has artistic abilities or aspirations, I think it would be good if we all work on some images. The more the merrier. Some will appeal to some people and some to others. If we can use these as an image for our movement and to raise money for our cause, it will be good to have a variety of choices.

I will check out those links you posted Bobbolink. Also, I keep thinking about Upton Sinclair. With the insanely unchecked power of corporations we are quickly headed back to those pre-regulatory times. Could anyone here work on some written materials, essays or even fiction, illustrating some of the current horrors and foreshadowing where we are headed? We've certainly had tons of writing talent exhibited in this forum.

This is good. I'm starting to get excited. It's so much nicer than feeling shell-shocked and full of despair! :grouphug: :yourock: :applause:

[bobbolink]

51. Here's an idea from another thread, and another poster:

where is our Jacob Riis? Kaethe Kollwitz?
Edited on Fri Feb-01-08 04:10 PM by kineneb
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Riis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K äthe_Kollwitz
(use google to get the proper link)

We do not need politicans, we need artists and photographers. Document the pain and poverty, and bring it to the public. As long as the poor are invisible, nothing will be done. If words do not work, and the popular media ignores the problem, then alternative methods must be used.

While most of the TheoCons seem to be lacking in shame, there are powerful people in this country who do have a conscience. We need to shame them into action.

Got art????

BTW, from this thread:
where is our Jacob Riis? Kaethe Kollwitz?
Edited on Fri Feb-01-08 04:10 PM by kineneb
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Riis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K äthe_Kollwitz
(use google to get the proper link)

We do not need politicans, we need artists and photographers. Document the pain and poverty, and bring it to the public. As long as the poor are invisible, nothing will be done. If words do not work, and the popular media ignores the problem, then alternative methods must be used.

While most of the TheoCons seem to be lacking in shame, there are powerful people in this country who do have a conscience. We need to shame them into action.

[Andrea]

54. Kicking this to encourage folks to continue the discussion

Let's make this happen.

[bobbolink]

55. Thanks, Andrea! The first in a line of discussions.... here...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=257x5822

I do apologize for the length.. but it's a complicated issue, and I wanted folks to know that some of us had really tried.

We need a CHAMPION in our corner!

:loveya: