AnnaLisaW
04-23-2008, 11:12 AM
Many of us are completely fed up with US politics to the point that we question the very purpose of voting. I see a world being run by corporations. For the past twenty years I have observed that the candidate with the most powerful corporate sponsors, with the most money, usually wins. In these cases, it is the corporate backer that determines the outcome of our elections. The corporations, however, get their power from the money we give them in the form of the products we buy, the investments we make and the services we use. That is truly how we “vote.” <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
When I see the label in my jeans that says “assembled in Mexico” I realize that it speaks much louder than my words against NAFTA. The shoes that say “Made in China” are cute but I should have asked whose human rights were ignored so that I could buy them at a fraction of what the same shoe would cost if it was made in the US. Most of my clothing comes from thrift shops which takes a little of the sting out of the labels but I still share in the guilt.<o:p></o:p>
As I look around the house, I see the Trader Joe’s daffodils that were shipped from Canada on top of the bookcase full of books that were printed in the US. I sip a cup of Redwood Chai that was produced locally while wearing the second hand sweatshirt with a label that boldly states “USA OLYMPIC” in red, white and blue. A closer look reveals the telltale words, “assembled in Mexico.” My new tee shirt was made in Honduras. Looking in my closet, I realize that I have been voting against civil rights and fair wages every time I get dressed. I am trying to do better. The bus tickets peak out my wallet reminding me that each one is a vote against the war in Iraq. Even so, I still enjoy those drives in the country that necessitate a trip to the gas station. I support the depletion of our natural resources each time I stand in the shower until the water runs cold. And yet, I stand and vocally support peace, justice and respect for the natural environment.<o:p></o:p>
I’m learning, trying to be more aware of the ways I can improve life on this planet for all of us. I know that awareness is only the first step. Most importantly, I try to remember what I said in my last post:<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
In a world that is run by corporate greed, we vote every time we open our wallets. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
- AnnaLisa<o:p></o:p>
When I see the label in my jeans that says “assembled in Mexico” I realize that it speaks much louder than my words against NAFTA. The shoes that say “Made in China” are cute but I should have asked whose human rights were ignored so that I could buy them at a fraction of what the same shoe would cost if it was made in the US. Most of my clothing comes from thrift shops which takes a little of the sting out of the labels but I still share in the guilt.<o:p></o:p>
As I look around the house, I see the Trader Joe’s daffodils that were shipped from Canada on top of the bookcase full of books that were printed in the US. I sip a cup of Redwood Chai that was produced locally while wearing the second hand sweatshirt with a label that boldly states “USA OLYMPIC” in red, white and blue. A closer look reveals the telltale words, “assembled in Mexico.” My new tee shirt was made in Honduras. Looking in my closet, I realize that I have been voting against civil rights and fair wages every time I get dressed. I am trying to do better. The bus tickets peak out my wallet reminding me that each one is a vote against the war in Iraq. Even so, I still enjoy those drives in the country that necessitate a trip to the gas station. I support the depletion of our natural resources each time I stand in the shower until the water runs cold. And yet, I stand and vocally support peace, justice and respect for the natural environment.<o:p></o:p>
I’m learning, trying to be more aware of the ways I can improve life on this planet for all of us. I know that awareness is only the first step. Most importantly, I try to remember what I said in my last post:<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
In a world that is run by corporate greed, we vote every time we open our wallets. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
- AnnaLisa<o:p></o:p>