Pelosi taken apart by David Gregory on false Obamacare promises

Nancy hits a new, incoherent, low

Watch a stammering, babbling, Pelosi try to weasel her way out of her own ‘like it, keep it’ lies

It’s been clear for a while that Republicans made a mistake when they dubbed the ACA “Obamacare.” First, it ties the unpopular, imploding millstone to a man who will be leaving office at the end of 2016.  It’s simply too limiting.

 

Moreover, it’s really a misnomer.  This disaster was created and implemented exclusively by Democrats, so it’s only fair that they should all have the opportunity to bask in the beneficial glow of its epic rollout. “Democare” would be a more apt nickname.

Exhibit A in the “Hall of Dems responsible for the ACA train wreck” would be Obama, but B and C would be Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.

Pelosi was particularly instrumental, and her “you have to pass it to find out what’s in it” line has become a bumper sticker that every statist drone should be proud to slap on their Prius.  It could sit side by side with their “if you like your plan you can keep it” sticker.  In fact, they should have two of those because Obama wasn’t the only one who lied about the government forcing insurers to cancel your policy.

 

Pelosi liked to make the bogus claim too.

Sunday morning, she appeared on Meet the Press and David Gregory brought it up.  Her rambling reply is a beautifully marbled slab of USDA Prime baloney.  We’re not even sure that she’s trying to make salient points anymore. She just babbles and hopes her answer is so confusing that no one will notice how completely, utterly, ridiculous it is.

Since I would have no idea how to transcribe the stilted insanity of what she says here, I’m just going to drop the video below. It’s reminiscent of Obama’s atrocious press conference and, like that appearance, it’s pure comedy gold.

AMERICANS TO OUR CHILDREN:

AMERICANS TO OUR CHILDREN:

Letter to our Children

Dearest Children and grand children,

We apologize that you are forced to live in ruin and abject poverty and that you are made to serve at the whims of your Chinese overlords, all due to the fact that our generation was too selfish, too lazy, and too chicken spit to fight back against the forces of Marxist style Tyranny.



Look, we got ours, we had it all, free everything for most anyone who wanted something for nothing. Disability for folks who weren’t disabled, food stamps for folks who weren’t truly hungry, free housing for those who refused to try a little harder.

We charged up monsterous debts to pay for excessive government salaries and pensions, and early retirement for government employees, many of them in their 40’s or early 50’s and now they travel to exotic retreats and play hard with the borrowed money that you are now paying back as Amerasian slaves.

We enjoyed a lot of excesses, SSI, Social security, Medicaid, Medicare, welfare, food stamps, housing allowances, phony earned income tax credits, tax write offs for nothing, free child care, birth control, free abortions and free public education for all and we are really sorry we had to leave you the mess clean up and the debts to pay back, Thank God for you and your kids!



Sorry that you won’t ever get to experience some of what we had. Especially Freedom, it was unique among all of that which we squandered.

Now that you are being worked to death by our creditors at gun point to pay back our debts… you won’t have the time for freedom anyway. Surely you won’t have the energy to suceed and we made certain that the national credit rating was too bad for you to ever break free. Sorry we exploited all of that in your names and left you and yours nothing to borrow against. Your generation is clearly screwed …

And to you who fancied your Green politics, now that China is clear cutting, strip mining and bulldozing America to gather up the “assets” - all that hug a tree and save the whales stuff seems a distant and useless cause … doesn’t it?

But because you greenies fought like the dickens to stop all natural resource development, America lost it’s true wealth, so we borrowed a lot, and having all those resources just sitting idle, well… that made it possible for our rulers to pledge it all as collateral against the debt - China thanks you.

Let us ourselves not forget to say ... thanks!

Please send word if you ever get things straightened out, because if you do we’d like to come home to visit.

Fortunately, for us, you are still supporting our endless travel and paying our medical expenses as you keep those promises we made on your behalf to never let entitlement programs end.

God Bless, be well, and Please write those text messages in English, that Chinese stuff is too hard to translate!

Sincerely,

Grandpa Joseph   

We are fast losing our freedoms as American citizens.

  We are fast losing our freedoms as American citizens.

  We are fast losing our freedoms as American citizens. Never before has there been such a threat to America's very existence.  Our manufacturing jobs have been leaving the country at a startling rate since the 1980's. Health insurance premiums are sky-rocketing. Employers are offering less and less benefits. Social Security has been run into the ground be irresponsible bureaucrats. Our nation is in MASSIVE debt for trillions of dollars, again thanks to irresponsible government.  The dark storm clouds are gathering. The dots are in place waiting for the lines to be drawn. America is in big trouble.

Unfortunately, the average American is COMPLACENT and either doesn't care or doesn't comprehend what is happening to our nation.

Many Christians, unfortunately, don’t study the events unfolding and can’t realize that time is short, and many are being deceived. Not only is time short prophetically, but time is short for our liberties. If you examine the laws that have been passed in this new century alone, you will realize that our freedom to share the Gospel is about to be greatly hindered, if not made illegal. The legal definition for ‘Terrorist’ is kept extremely broad [HR. 3162,Sec. 802, (a)(5)(B)(ii)].

"From the sarcastic standpoint of those who rule us WITHOUT OUR CONSENT, in violation of the U.S. Constitution, America is becoming too populated for there to be supposedly guaranteed rights. Remember, the Bill of Rights is heavily packed with the word NO. It is a shield against a tyrannical central government. At the hands, however, of a corrupt and venal federal judiciary and a treasonous central government, and a bought off and blackmailed Congress, the Bill of Rights is a worthless, useless piece of paper. The cowardly mass media are mere scriveners, writing down what they are dictated.

Under the disguise of leading a religious "crusade" against the Moslem world, every utterance dripping with the word "terrorist", are the ruling elites in the process of overthrowing the American Republic?" —Sherman Skolnick

Throughout the Bible, there are many precedents of God's people denying what was happening around them (Jeremiah 5:26-31; 6:10-14; 25:28-33; 27:14; Isaiah 8:15; 30:8-13; 42:24-25).  God says that their destruction will come suddenly, as a swelling wall that suddenly collapses.

This prayer was given in Kansas at the opening session of their Senate.  It seems prayer still upsets some people.  When Pastor Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance.  We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done...

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.

We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and call it Pluralism.

We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.

We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called it choice.

We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.

We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.

We have abused power and called it politics.

We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.

We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.

We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.

Amen!"

The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest.  In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively. The church is now receiving international requests for copies of this prayer from India, Africa, and Korea.  Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on "The Rest of the Story" on the radio and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired.

The prayer of Pastor Joe Wright is the horrifying truth about America. The United States has deteriorated into a large Sodom and Gomorrah!

Who would have thought twenty years ago that we'd see thousands of cameras being installed in cities across America to spy on it's citizens. Who would have thought that such monstrosities as Patriot Acts I and II would ever become law (thus suspended our Bill of Rights). Who would have thought that the government could force parents to drug their own children with dangerous substances.

Should this be a surprise in a nation of moral debauchery?

Who would have thought that a day would come when two men could legally become married in America and adopt children. Who would have thought that little children would be aborted (murdered) by the millions in a nation which God has blessed so mightily? Our founding fathers would have cardiac arrests if they could see the mess we've gotten ourselves into as a nation.

We have become complacent and weakened as a nation.

Who would have thought that our own government would steal our land and give it away. Presently, 68% of our national parks and preserves are under U.N. administration.



The average American citizen is woefully ignorant of such evils which are being committed against the American family.  America will NOT remain free if it's people continue to allow the government to steal their land, squander their money, borrow them into more debt, and rob them of their freedoms in the name of "terrorism."

"It is obviously good and proper to respect the U.S. flag, perpetuated with the blood of American heroes. On the other hand, it can be a fatal mistake, a nuking of the Bill of Rights, not to recognize scoundrels who wrap themselves in the same flag to cover up their crimes against the American common people." -Sherman Skolnick

We are foolish not to follow the wisdom of our founding fathers who warned us about government tyranny...

"I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." -James Madison

"It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from his government." -Thomas Paine

"When all government, domestic and foreign, in little as in great things, shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power, it will ... become as venal and oppressive as the government from which we separated." - Thomas Jefferson

"Evil triumphs when good men do nothing." -Thomas Jefferson

"Educate your children to self-control, to the habit of holding passion and prejudice and evil tendencies subject to an upright and reasoning will, and you have done much to abolish misery from their future and crimes from society." -Benjamin Franklin

"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.  As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." -Benjamin Franklin

"They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety." -Ben Franklin

'It would be a hard government that should tax its people one-tenth part of their income. -Ben Franklin

Our rights do not come from the U.S. government

. Our rights do not come from the Constitution or our Bill of Rights. Our rights and freedoms come from God in heaven. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights merely "outline" our rights. God created mankind free with a freewill to decide for himself. If men and women decide to take their freedom for granted, then they are assured to eventually lose it. We need to repent as a nation and come back to God.

What Is True Freedom?

What Is True Freedom?

People everywhere fight and strive for greater freedom. At the same time, they fight against law. That shows a dangerous misunderstanding of the nature of true freedom and the need for righteous law.

Freedom is one of the most sought-after ideals in 
human history. Man’s search for freedom has taken him into the fiercest of protests, struggles, revolutions, civil wars—even world wars. Today, in the midst of free societies, many continue to fight for what they perceive as ever greater freedoms.

Did you know that what most people call freedom today is really slavery?

The great majority of people today are deceived about what freedom truly is! And yet, we can’t be free until we know what freedom is. Neither can we avoid slavery unless we know what slavery is. Are you sure you know?

False Promise of Freedom

Notice what the Apostle Peter said about many people who promote freedom: “They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for whatever overcomes a man, to that he is enslaved” (2 Peter 2:19; Revised Standard Version). If you are overcome by something, you are enslaved to it. What does that mean, exactly?

Take alcoholism, for example. People may consider it freedom to be able to drink to excess, but many people do that so often, they become alcoholics; they then crave alcohol and feel miserable without it.

Alcohol abuse comes with a staggering price tag, socially and economically. It costs billions of dollars each year to cover health and welfare services provided to alcoholics and their families in the U.S. Include their decreased productivity at work, and the cost is far greater. Alcoholics have higher rates of marriage separation and divorce, crime, automobile accidents, property damage and injuries to persons, depression and suicide. They, their family and their friends all end up being the losers.

It is easy to see—as they struggle with their addiction, ruining their family, their career, their life—that alcoholics are not free. At one time they may have thought alcohol gave them freedom, but in truth it has enslaved them!

The same is true of drugs. We have developed a drug culture in America and Britain. Mind-damaging, escapist drugs are increasingly mainstream and popular, moving well past the pockets within the big cities. They are taking over the lives of people of all income levels, all walks of life. Even 1 in 10 of our youth ages 12 to 17 are regular drug users! Our entertainment is more and more obsessed with the drug world. Often we see high-profile entertainers grappling with severe addiction, and even dying prematurely from overdoses.

Is that freedom? How many of these people have gotten hooked on drugs and cannot stop? Even low levels of drug use can do irreparable damage to their minds. On top of that disastrous effect, how many of these people are injecting or sniffing away increasing portions of their incomes at their families’ expense? How many are having to resort to ever more unsavory activities to fund their drug habits?

Many people would consider it freedom to destroy their lives with deadly drugs. That is not freedom! Instead they have become totally ENSLAVED to drugs!

For many years we have declared a war on drugs in America. What has been the result? Look at the facts and we must concede that we have lost that war!

America is overcome by its drug problem. And “whatever overcomes a man [or a nation], to that he is enslaved.”

We don’t talk much about the war on drugs today. People don’t like to talk about losing a war. Many people began to see their own families and children caught up in drugs and felt they needed to tone down their approach. They didn’t want to be involved in a war so close to home.

The War on Pornography

Another terrible addiction is gripping America today: sex addiction. It is more and more taking center stage in our culture and entertainment. It too is becoming more common, more mainstream, more widely accepted. Our television and movies portray increasing levels of filth. And the problem is made all the worse by the widespread availability of pornography on the Internet. It is big business—people by the millions are lapping it up.

What does that say about us? It is Britain and the United States that primarily fuel that endeavor. Are we free? Most people would call that freedom. Is it really? Or is it enslaving us in ways that will destroy our marriages and families? Are we enslaved to pornography?

Deep down we know that pornography is evil! In the past, even the thought of it caused us shame. At one time, some even declared a war on pornography, but we don’t hear about that war anymore. Why? Because we don’t like admitting defeat. We lost that war as well.

What does it mean to lose the war on pornography? It means losing the values that build strong marriages and strong families. Strong families are the backbone of any strong nation. Yet we have been overcome by something we were too weak to resist. “Whatever overcomes a man [or a nation], to that he is enslaved”! Just look at the facts and you can plainly see that America is enslaved to pornography.

Social workers and ministers often discuss a rapidly growing problem. Many people (especially the young) tell these professionals that they are hooked on Internet sex and can’t break the habit. They have become addicted and have lost control.

In the name of “free speech,” our leaders are allowing the evil god of this world to enslave our young people before they even learn how to live! (2 Corinthians 4:4). The most vile pornography is channeled right into their own homes, which increases the temptation.

The Bible commands us to FLEE temptation and fornication. We are going to pay a deadly price for our rebellion against God.

The fact is, the more pornography we have, the less freedom we have. The negative impact of all that obscenity is incalculable.

Destroying Family

Peter paints an extraordinary picture. Imagine someone coming to you enclosed in a cage, handcuffed, his legs bound by shackles—and offering you freedom! “They promise … freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption .…” That’s exactly what is happening so often today! The drug pushers and pornographers do not have true freedom!

God cares deeply about the family. God commands husbands to treat their wives with a high degree of honor (1 Peter 3:7). He wants stable marriages that stay together and rear stable children in an environment of authoritative love and care.

Do we really believe marriages are strengthened when men watch pornography? Does being addicted to pornography help you to honor your wife more—perhaps the wife that God Himself has given you? We all know the answer to that; it’s just a matter of whether we are willing to face it.

We must realize what this way of thinking is doing to us! It is tearing our families apart and leaving our children, in many cases, without the proper love and protection from their mother and father. Then they become very vulnerable to drug and sex addictions themselves!

True freedom means being free of dishonor in our marriages. That is the kind of freedom we need more of today.

We need to be free of fighting, divorce and perversion. Free of anarchy and chaos in our families. We need to be stable! Parents must be stable, or what can we expect of the children? They desperately need a mother and father to love them, guide them, teach them—show them how to be strong, how to face life without drugs and other addictions.

Yet, under the guise of “free speech,” we are destroying our marriages and families—the foundation of our nation! Spewing out tons of pornography is not free speech—it is a diabolical plot to destroy America and Britain! And the plan is working extremely well.

A Nation Enslaved

Strong marriages build strong children. We need strong children who are not vulnerable to drugs.

Why do children want to take drugs and destroy their minds? The mind is the only thing that really sets us apart from animals. What is lacking in their lives that would make them want to do that to themselves? Why even take a chance on something so destructive? Because their wills are so weakened, they must have something to fill the void their parents have left—in most cases. Of course, drugs don’t truly fill that void at all—they only bring people into slavery of the worst possible kind.

Drug addiction destroys the will! Sex addiction destroys the will! The worse the addiction, the weaker the will to resist, to fight evil.

The courts are trying to protect free speech. Yet, what will happen if families fall apart and there is no strong nation left? What good will “free” speech be then? If the family is in turmoil and confusion, if parents are divorcing and children are left to themselves, how important is free speech at that point?

What good is free speech if you lose the very values that made you great? We are polluting and vitiating the public good, the character, that we have possessed as a nation in the past.

Understand: I value free speech highly! I know that I could not be printing these words without the free speech afforded our society. It is a great value that we should protect. I promote it in every way I possibly can.

But let’s get our priorities right. Is free speech more important than family? No, it is not. People behave as if family doesn’t even matter! And yet, family is the foundation of every great nation!

The stability of our nation is at stake. Why do nations die? God asks, “Why will ye die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11). Can we really calculate the damage of all these social evils? They add up to the destruction of our nations! Nations collapse by giving in to these evils that are erroneously called freedoms! Not only does our will become hopelessly weak, but our sins cut us off from God’s blessings and protection!

I don’t care who calls it freedom; it is not freedom to get into pornography and drugs! It is enslavement! It enslaves individuals, and it leads to the enslavement of the whole nation!

What Is True Freedom?

Many religious people like to talk about freedom. But are they getting their definition of freedom from the Bible? “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). If they have a different idea of freedom, they are enslaved. They are not following true Christianity! And that is true of many who consider themselves very religious.

Jesus said to the religious people of His day, “This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Mark 7:6). Christ condemns a lot of people with this statement! Many people talk about God and Jesus Christ; they act religious. But in truth, their hearts are far from God! They are actually enslaved to a false religion, and think they are obeying God.

We must be free from that kind of false Christianity!

If you’re going to be a Christian, you must follow Christ (1 Peter 2:21). Christ lived His life in perfect subjection to the law of God. He resisted the pulls of His flesh rather than being overcome by them! We need to be like Christ—free of human nature! Most people don’t even know what human nature is.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). That is God’s view of human nature, though most people don’t believe that. Do you recognize the evil in your own heart—or are you, like most others, deceived about human nature?

We can see this truth illustrated all around us: If you let a desperately wicked heart run free, it will do great damage!

It is very difficult to keep God’s law. But the problem isn’t with the law, it is with us. We need to change and conform ourselves to that law. We need to replace the wickedness of our hearts with the righteousness of God by writing God’s law in our hearts! (Hebrews 8:8-10). We need to write God’s law on our hearts indelibly—to etch it on our hearts and minds so it will never go away! That will bring true freedom into our lives! 

Cop Fires On Minivan Full Of Kids

Starts as a simple speeding ticket...

Cop Fires On Minivan Full Of Kids.who will protect you from the police?

https://www.facebook.com/FREEDOMORANARCHYCampaignofConscience?ref=tn_tnmn#!/notes/joseph-f-barber/being-questioned-cops-are-trained-liars/10150147035004984https://www.facebook.com/FREEDOMORANARCHYCampaignofConscience?ref=tn_tnmn#!/notes/joseph-f-barber/being-questioned-cops-are-trained-liars/10150147035004984

Reagan left America and humanity in much better shape than when he took office

Reagan left America and humanity in much better shape than when he took office

Ronald Reagan’s Lost Legacy

Twenty-five years ago this November Americans elected the successor to our greatest president, Ronald Reagan.  George H. Bush won an easy election in November 1988.  He proceeded to purge many of Reagan’s best soldiers from the White House and notoriously pledged that he would institute “A kinder, gentler America.”  There was no sensible interpretation of that odd statement except that Bush perceived Reagan’s conservative policies had been, somehow, mean.



Reagan left America and humanity in much better shape than when he took office.  Although the Berlin Wall did not fall during his administration, it fell soon after he left office and this was due to the “troika” of Reagan, Thatcher and Pope John Paul II – aided, of course, by wise and good men like American Thinker contributor Herb Meyer. A world war had been won without bloodshed.  Consider that again, because it is so truly stunning:  A world war had been won without bloodshed.

President Reagan also left us with a “Peace Dividend,” because our bloodless victory in the Cold War meant that we could safely reduce defense expenditures without affecting domestic programs at all, and his adoption of “Supply Side Economics” meant that Reagan left us also with a strong economy which meant more tax revenue and less need for social welfare programs.

What made Reagan who he was?  He was a brilliant man content to be thought of as an “amiable dunce” if that meant his policies prevailed.  Consider the contrast between Reagan and Obama.  Our current president has a craving to be considered a genius when, of course, by all appearances he has the most pedestrian intellect of any man to sit in the Oval Office.  His ego, more than anything else, drives Obama.



President Reagan also grasped and articulated the moral nature of the political battles he fought.  The Soviet Union was an “Evil Empire” – and, indeed, it was just that.  God, and Reagan meant the loving deity which Christians and Jews worship, was the true source of goodness in everything.  Government was not the answer to the problem; it was the problem.  He never yielded the moral high ground to the left, even when Reagan compromised to advance his objectives.

Ronald Reagan also was a man who “grew,” as leftists like to put it.  Reagan, however, “grew” away from leftism.  He had been a New Deal Democrat who saw over time that the New Deal failed.  As a consequence, Reagan was able to get inside the mind of many Democrat voters.  He understood they long trek which many of these voters made from left to right.

Our greatest president was also brave in ways that few of us can understand.  All America saw when he was almost assassinated the almost surreal courage under fire which Reagan displayed, knowing that he might easily be dead soon.  But this courage appeared from his youth as a life guard and as president of the Screen Actors Guild when communist thugs threatened to throw acid in his fact.

This very genuine courage meant that he did not fear the certain sliming which the brutal establishment left was going to pour on him for pursuing his political agenda and he did not dread the danger of losing popularity when pursuing what he knew was right.  He was mocked, ridiculed, scorned and sneered at as few presidents since Lincoln have faced.  Reagan did not care.  As the angry howls of these furies of leftism showed, Reagan simply ignored their stings and taunts, treating them like a grownup treats spoiled rotten children, which, of course, they is just what they were.

The bad news is that no one on the political horizon today has the greatness of Reagan, but the good news – and it is good news – is that it only takes one real “Reagan” to transform the whole landscape of government and politics.  In politics as in war, it is the quality of leadership which performs miracles.  There is no doubt at all that Ronald Reagan’s magnificent legacy has been squandered by petty little men eager to gain popularity and approval at the cost of honor and truth.  But there is no doubt at all that if we can find just one true “Reagan,” all that is lost can be recovered.

Pursuing a political strategy of personal destruction of his opponents

Pursuing a political strategy of personal destruction of his opponents

We find our nation living a script similar to that of the TV series Breaking Bad, only instead of Walter White, a chemistry teacher turned meth maker/dealer we have Barack Obama, a university lecturer turned dealer of deception.



While Walter White was diagnosed with Stage III cancer and given two years to live, the university lecturer one day found himself with a terminal disease called apologesia Americana caused by too much exposure to Marxist liberation theology.

Both of them, concerned for the future well-being of their respective families, looked for a quick-fix solution. White turned to the manufacture and sale of illegal drugs, while the university lecturer went into the business of political deception.

Rather than selling his product to a drug cartel as Walter White did, the former university lecturer sold his product to a political “cartel” called the Chicago political machine, ensuring each of them a market for their product.



Putting him in front of a large audience with a teleprompter, people were amazed at his seemingly wonderful words. But the words he chose to use were like methamphetamine, causing addiction to a very harmful substance. Once the euphoria of the words wore off, the recipients of them found an emptiness that had them craving for more, in spite of the destructive effect those words had on them.

Pursuing a political strategy of personal destruction of his opponents, the former university lecturer began his rapid rise to the top. In 1996, he won election to the Illinois Senate after his four opponents all somehow had their nomination petitions invalidated. Then in 2004 he was elected to the U.S. Senate after his Republican opponent was discredited due to his sealed divorce proceedings being leaked to the Chicago Tribune newspaper.

Four years later, Barack Hussein Obama

was elected President of the United States. Once again, he was able to avoid running on the issues. Manipulating the largely liberal American news media, his political machine helped him to forego the vetting process normally given by a very inquisitive Fourth Estate.

Not only that, he was able to win re-election to the White House last year in a similar manner, untouched by the Benghazi scandal, where a U.S. ambassador and three others died due to the ineptness of the President and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. So while the Breaking Bad TV series and Walter White have come to an end, Breaking Bad America continues.

After nearly five years of lies and deception, though, we are seeing bigger and bigger holes in Wall of Deception that has been imposed on us by the Obama administration and the Democrat leadership. It is vitally important to continue to expose this political deception and pray that a growing number of people will see through it and choose candidates for the House and Senate in the 2014 election who will oppose ObamaCare and the rest of the big-government socialistic agenda.

citizens of this planet,

Citizens of this planet

I feel that we, as citizens of this planet, all have a duty to make Earth a place that can sustain human life for all generations to come. For those who are able, there is a need for people to reach out to others who are less fortunate due to poverty, or living conditions, those suffering from ill health, and lack of essential needs like clean water and medical care. 
Here are some simple ways in which you can help. I urge you to all become caretakers of our planet by doing what we can to keep it's air, water and land pure and clean, and by reaching out to those in need in whatever way we can.

1. Use products that will help in sustaining a healthy planet. 
2. Choosing technologies that are "Earth Friendly". By using "Green Energy" whenever possible. 
3. By driving vehicles that have less impact on our environment, such as Hybrid, bio fuel, or high MPG vehicles. 
4. By recycling the containers that our products come in and urging companies to use more Recyclable packaging. 
5. Donating to causes that support positive environmental reform 
6. Donating to organizations that help to bring education, potable water, medical care and sanitation solutions to impoverished areas of our nation and our world. 
7. By supporting legislation within our own countries that will punish companies that pollute and destroy the environment 
8. By planting trees anywhere you can and trying to sustain those forests that are valuable to helping process the air we all need to breathe. 
9. By helping to clean up those areas where bad land management, litter and pollution have taken their toll. 
10. By spreading the ideals of love and peace and the oneness of humanity 
11. By accepting the diversity of the human species and acknowleging that we are all brothers and sisters. 
We are all indeed, blessed to live in a time when technology exists to solve the problems such as famine, potable water, disease prevention and health care for all. It is up to us to see that those things are made available to all people of all nations. it is more healthy way to spread the good that our nation has to offer, than by forcing a nation to change its politics through wars, destruction and death, 
There is a more positive way to spread the good name of our nation around the world. It is by each of us participating in whatever way we can, be that big or small, in making this Earth a better place for mankind. 
I offer the links below as places where you can go to learn more about how we all can help. Our beliefs may differ, our ideas regarding solutions may differ, however I believe that we all want this world to be a better place. 
If you, my fans, know of sites, like those below, which can help educate all of us and help to reach out to those in need, please feel free to send me links to those sites, and I will look into them and the possiblility of adding them to this page.

Care2 

Care2 The global network of people who care 2 make a difference. Here people network and use the resources and connections available through the internet to bring attention to and change issues covering a wide rance of topics all aimed at making this planet a better place. 
From their website: 
Started in 1998 by Randy Paynter, today, they've grown to over 35 employees, 5.5 million members and work with more than 150 nonprofit organizations and hundreds of responsible business advertisers. It's this incredible depth and breadth of passion and talent that comes together to create such a special place. 
If you care about health, human rights and protecting the environment, and if you believe individuals have the power to change the world, you're going to love Care2. 
Their goal: Make the world a better place. 
The plan: Connect people who care (that's you!) with the organizations, responsible businesses and individuals getting results. It's a big plan that touches on health, the environment, women's rights, spirituality, children's welfare, human rights and much more. 
Their role: we're just here to facilitate and empower all of these amazing, diverse efforts. It's incredible what individuals and organizations can accomplish when they have the right tools. You are our inspiration. 
The result: Awe inspiring. Care2 members are rocking the planet. Take peek at some recent success stories! 
And it's catching on. More than a million new members joined Care2 this past year. Young and old, rich and poor, meeting, discussing, getting involved, making a difference. No matter what your passion (or even if you're trying to figure out what your passion is!) I think you'll find Care2 is a welcoming place with countless ways to make a difference. 
Please check out this site and get involved!

Water For Life 

This is an effort supported by Rotary of Paradise, Rotary of Chico and Rotary international that is helping to bring potable water to areas that have previously not have a healthy source of drinking water. They have started their efforts in Guatamala, but plan on taking the success of this effort to other areas around the globe. The money raised is not lost in administrative costs, but is rather going directly to fund clean water for those in need. 
The Rotary Club of Paradise (California) felt compelled to take on an international undertaking and, therefore, attended the Uniendo America Projects Fair in Guatemala, Central America to meet with Rotarians of third world areas and together, determine Central American needs. 
Just one, staggering statistic: 35,000 children die EACH WEEK from non-potable water; worldwide. It is overwhelmingly apparent that the number one need is the necessity for suitable, potable water. Rotary International is seriously considering water as their next international project, similar in scope to their initial campaign to eradicate polio world wide. 
Uniendo America means “Uniting America,” and that is just what, Uniendo America Project fairs aim to do. Since 1994, Uniendo America has held a Fair in a different Central American country each year where Central American Rotarians have presented World Community Service (WCS) projects to North American Rotarians in hopes of forming international partnerships. Meeting face to face at the Fairs has created lasting friendships, forged new working relationships and facilitated the implementation of hundreds of WCS projects, benefiting countless Central (and North) Americans. It is what Rotary International is all about: Creating goodwill and understanding through international cooperation. Uniendo America Project Fairs are not official programs of Rotary International, but rather they are grassroots efforts, being organized by the hosting countries. 
Rotary Club of Paradise is organizing fundraisers to help catapult this issue to international awareness! You too can be part of the start of something huge, right here in our own backyard, by attending the first fundraiser to assist in this endeavor. 
This partnership with Central America promises to be the beginning of something that we aspire to extend from Central America to all other parts of the world, on both sides of this partnership...the partners raising the funds, and the partners benefiting from the funds.With the first of what plans to be a significant amount of performances by top-rated artists-worldwide, come be a part of the beginning of something huge..."Water for Life." 
100% of money is given towards the project with "No Administrative Fees"
On a matter of grave importance to the future of our nation and our planet, I urge you all to see the film 

An Inconvenient Truth 

No matter what political leanings you may have, it is of grave importance that we are an educated nation, aware of what is happening to our world. In this film, Al Gore lays out the plain truth about global warming in a way that is very understandable. It is time that we as citizens of this wonderful nation, put our politicians to the task of solving this dilema, not in the usual pork and graft way of putting things off till it's too late, like they did in New Orleans, but rather as a matter of urgency by accepting the impending grave consequences that will come from neglecting these issues. All financial, corporate and political influences must be cast aside, as together we forge forward to make this planet one in which future generations can live. 
Please do yourselves and Mother Earth a favor ... 
Go see this film!! 
Find out what you can do to conserve energy and leave a smaller footprint on our Planet 
Click here to learn more 
Get involved in the process that makes this nation the best in the world. 
Talk to your friends, contact your representatives ... 
U.S. House Of Representatives • U.S. Senate 
Be sure to get out and vote!!!!! 
Lets make a difference by letting all of our voices be heard!!!!
Bread And Roses 
Inspired by a 1912 poem by James Oppenheim, Mimi Fariña selected "Bread & Roses" to convey the spirit of the nonprofit she founded in 1974 to bring music and other live art to institutionalized children, teens, adults, and elders. Over the years, Bread & Roses has become nationally awarded and emulated organization. 
Bread & Roses is dedicated to uplifting the human spirit by providing free, live, quality entertainment to people who live in institutions or are otherwise isolated from society. 
Our performers enrich the soul and promote wellness through the healing power of the performing arts, create a sense of community for our professional performers, in a non-commercial setting in which they can donate their talents to inspire and be inspired, provide an opportunity for non-performing volunteers to contribute a variety of skills and resources that support our humanitarian services and increase the impact of donor contributions. In carrying out this mission, Bread & Roses seeks to create a social awareness of people who are isolated from society, and to encourage the development of similar organizations in other communities. 
I spent several years on the board of directors of Bread And Roses. I saw close up both as a performer, and as a board member, how this organization has helped to change lives and bring the wonderful blessings of Art, Dance, Music, Poetry and Theater to places that otherwise are sad and grim places. The artists that give their services to perform for the indigent people in the Bay Area through Bread and Roses, feel the difference they are making in these peoples lives, and keep coming back to give and give again and again, helping to make the world a better place for others, one day and one face at a time. I urge you to Support Mimi's vision through donating in whatever way you can to Bread and Roses.

Environment California 

Environment California is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization. Our professional staff combines independent research, practical ideas and tough-minded advocacy to overcome the opposition of powerful special interests and win real results for California's environment. Environment California draws on 30 years of success in tackling our state's top environmental problems.
CALPRIG • (California Public Interest Research Group) 
In order to be involved in making this world a better place, we must stay informed. So many of us have far too little time to research all of the complicated issues that surround us regarding our environment, our health and safety as well as legislature that is pending regarding interests of concern. CALPRIG is a group which does that research and helps to keep us informed. 
When corporate wrongdoing threatens our health or our safety, or violates fundamental principles of fairness and justice, CALPIRG stands up for the public. They conduct investigative research. They publish consumer reports and exposes. They advocate new laws and other protections at the local, state and federal levels. And when necessary, they take corporate wrongdoers to court. Their results-oriented approach has won victories for Californians on a wide range of issues, including healthcare reform, prescription drug pricing, consumer privacy and product safety.
We must make this world a better place for our children. All over the globe, where disasters, poverty, and war create an environment where mere day to day survival is difficult, the children are the ones who bear the greatest scars. it is imperitive that we do what we can to make this world a better place for the children who will inherit it after we are gone. It is because of this belief that I offer theses sites for you to check out.

UNICEF 

UNICEF is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. We have the global authority to influence decision-makers, and the variety of partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality. That makes us unique among world organizations, and unique among those working with the young. 
We believe that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created with this purpose in mind – to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We believe that we can, together, advance the cause of humanity. 
We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future. 
We promote girls’ education – ensuring that they complete primary education as a minimum – because it benefits all children, both girls and boys. Girls who are educated grow up to become better thinkers, better citizens, and better parents to their own children. 
We act so that all children are immunized against common childhood diseases, and are well nourished, because it is wrong for a child to suffer or die from a preventable illness. 
We work to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people because it is right to keep them from harm and enable them to protect others. We help children and families affected by HIV/AIDS to live their lives with dignity. 
We involve everyone in creating protective environments for children. We are present to relieve suffering during emergencies, and wherever children are threatened, because no child should be exposed to violence, abuse or exploitation. 
UNICEF upholds the Convention on the Rights of the Child. We work to assure equality for those who are discriminated against, girls and women in particular. We work for the Millennium Development Goals and for the progress promised in the United Nations Charter. We strive for peace and security. We work to hold everyone accountable to the promises made for children. 
We are part of the Global Movement for Children – a broad coalition dedicated to improving the life of every child. Through this movement, and events such as the United Nations Special Session on Children, we encourage young people to speak out and participate in the decisions that affect their lives. 
We work in 191 countries through country programmes and National Committees. We are UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Red Cross 
I have seen the presence of the Red Cross in nearly every disaster and war throughout my lifetime. When governments were unable or unwilling to send help and reach people that were in need and do something for them, the Red Cross was there. I believe in this organization as a non partisan, humanitarian group which reaches out to those in need all over the globe with medical aid, food, shelter and other resources that let those who are suffering know that there are people out there who do care and want to their world a better place. 
The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to help their neighbors—down the street, across the country and around the world—in emergencies. 
The Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross Movement, provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. 
Red Cross chapters are the backbone of our local presence. Your support helps us maintain a nationwide network of chapters to provide lifesaving programs and services in communities across the country— so that no one is ever alone in their time of greatest need. The strength and health of our chapters are crucial for the Red Cross as one body to meet the challenges ahead. 
You can help ensure that the Red Cross can continue to provide these lifesaving services and has the resources, talent and ability to continue to deliver them by making a donation to support all of the core services of the American Red Cross today.



it is my deep belief that the idea that people can solve their differences through war is a hideous concept. History going back to the eariliest writings and heirogliphics, has clearly shown that violence begets violence, that hatred breeds hatred and that war is not an answer nor a solution. We are an intelligent people and have the ability to do so much better and to try so much harder to solve our problems without resorting to war. War is never an answer. 
I believe, that until we as members of the Human Race, acknowledge that we can only solve the problems between people and nations through education and with honest and open dialogue and peaceful means, that we will continue to witness the sad and destructive events of war, and the growth of hatred, racism, religeous fanaticism and the sadness in the eyes and hearts of so many who are caught up in the midst of the violence and misery caused by wars and conflicts around the globe. I believe that we need to educate each other to discover the truth behind each side's point of view and find a peaceful path that can allow people to exist next to each other without the anguish of war, racism and hatred. We are all brothers and sisters. 
Please know that within this belief system I still send out my love and support for the safety and health and for the speedy return of all of our brave men women and children of the military that are having to live in the midst of the horrors of war. I pray for them each day and pray as well that those who have sent them into these conflicts will change their hearts and end the insanity. 

It is with these beliefs that I support the following organizations.
Paradise Center for Tolerance and Non Violence 

In my home town of Paradise, I have found a great and caring community. Among them, The Paradise Center for Tolerance and Nonviolence, (PCTN), is helping to direct positive energy into our town. Founded in October, 2000, a grassroots, nonsectarian, nonpolitical, not for profit 501(c)(3) corporation, dedicated to fostering tolerance of differences, to resolving conflicts peacefully, and to building a safe, hospitable and harmonious community, where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. We recognize each person's right to his or her beliefs and opinions. We advocate for unbiased and respectful behavior. Our members have diverse religious beliefs, affiliations and political views. 
Because intolerance and prejudice are often at the root of harassing and violent behaviors, our programs and services seek to engender more understanding and acceptance of human diversity, and appreciation of our common human values, dreams and struggles. Toward that end, PCTN's two primary objectives have been support and prevention. The Center offers support, mediation, and counseling for victims of harassment, discrimination and violence, resulting from prejudice and intolerance. We act as a bridge between the victim and the institution by accompanying victims to meetings with school officials, the police or other authority. We assist them in stating their point of view and finding consensual solutions. We also provide mediation with a trained counselor for individuals or families engaged in bias or hate-motivated conflict. We work toward prevention by raising awareness, through our annual community events, our educational evenings exploring diverse cultures, and our youth activities, expanding kids' understanding of bullying and hurtful teasing, and encouraging their empathy and recognition of the value of kind and respectful interaction. 


During its first year the Center successfully worked with Town officials to set up a system for removing hate graffiti. In keeping with our mission of fostering tolerance and appreciation of all races and cultures, volunteers turned their efforts toward the production of two community events: a celebration of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr Day held in January and a multi-cultural Unity in Diversity Festival held in June. The Center has continued to present these entertaining and inspiring events each year. No admission fee is charged. 
Their Motto is: Making our community a safe place for all, throught promoting respect for differences and human rights and fostering alternatives to violence. 
Every community should have an organization that addresses these issues. I commend PCTN for their work in my town.
ANSWER Coalition  • (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) 
The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition formed on September 14, 2001. It is a coalition of hundreds of organizations and prominent individuals and scores of organizing centers in cities and towns across the country. Its national steering committee represents major national organizations that have campaigned against U.S. intervention in Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Asia, and organizations that have campaigned for civil rights and for social and economic justice for working and poor people inside the United States. 

The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition organized the first national demonstration against war and racism following September 11 on September 29, 2001, which brought 25,000 people into the streets of Washington DC and 15,000 in San Francisco. 
The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition gained prominence because the Coalition from its earliest days after September 11, 2001 provided a principled and activist orientation to organize political resistance through mass action, and created a forum for people of conscience to speak out when so many others were silent. Many of the national organizations that constitute the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition Steering Committee were those groups in the anti-globalization movement who - after September 11 and in the most difficult circumstances when people in the United States were subject to a carefully orchestrated round the clock campaign to create a war fever - initiated a strategy and mass mobilizations to counter the Bush Administration’s endless war drive, its so called war on "terrorism." 
The Coalition has since then worked to build an anti-racist, peace and social justice movement. The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, thus, had initiated the mass anti-war movement in the United States. A central characteristic of the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition’s organizing strategy has been to work in partnership with the Arab American and Muslim community and other sectors in U.S. society who have been traditionally ignored. This has helped to create a truly multi-national anti-war movement.
FOR • (Fellowship of Reconciliation Peace and Disarmament) 
FOR's Vision: We envision a world of justice, peace, and freedom. It is a revolutionary vision of a beloved community where differences are respected, conflicts are addressed nonviolently, oppressive structures are dismantled, and where people live in harmony with the earth, nurtured by diverse spiritual traditions that foster compassion, solidarity, and reconciliation. 
FOR's Mission: FOR seeks to replace violence, war, racism, and economic injustice with nonviolence, peace, and justice. We are an interfaith organization committed to active nonviolence as a transforming way of life and as a means of radical change. We educate, train, build coalitions, and engage in nonviolent and compassionate actions locally, nationally, and globally. 
Since 1915, The Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) has carried on programs and educational projects concerned with domestic and international peace and justice, nonviolent alternatives to conflict, and the rights of conscience. A Nonviolent, Interfaith, tax exempt organization, The FOR promotes nonviolence and has members from many religious and ethnic traditions. It is a part of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), which has affiliates in over 40 countries.


I WIll Not Kill 

The Conscience and Courage Gathering that took place Feb. 18 -21, 2005 in Nyack, New York at the Fellowship of Reconciliation brought together 30 peace activists from across the United States and Canada. 
Participants represented FOR local groups, religious peace fellowships, national organizations and networks opposing war who came together to develop strategies to help members of the armed forces who want out on religious or ethical grounds. 
Out of the conference emerged the campaign, "I Will Not Kill” to affirm the right of conscientious objection and oppose any future draft specifically educating high school and collage age youth such possibilities. 
The “I Will Not Kill” campaign aims to: ,BR> · affirm the right of conscientious objection and support the right of people to have a choice whether or not to serve 
· oppose a future draft 
· encourage those who are targeted by recruiters to check out the reality of the military 
· raise awareness of resistance to war and share the ideas with other youth 
· educate high school and college age youth about the impacts of and alternatives to war 
· dismantle the selective service system and promote a culture of life 
Amen!
My blessings and prayers to all who are suffering today. We are here ... we are trying to reach out to you. We do want to make this world a better place!

9 traps that stop people from making a difference

9 traps that stop people from making a difference

TRAP #1: "That's just the way the world is"

If you look back through history you'll discover that the world has always been faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges: slavery, hunger, warfare, intolerance. It's easy to feel like "the world has troubles � that's just the way the world is, so why bother trying to change it?" But can you imagine how the world would be different if all people throughout history would have resigned themselves to just accepting the "troubles" of their time? Can you imagine the cynics of the day saying that:

* "America will always be an British colony." 
* "Slavery will always exist." 
* "Women will never be allowed to vote." 
* "Whites and Blacks will never share the same classrooms." 
* "People in wheelchairs will never have access to public buildings." 
* "Free public schooling won't work because the poor don't want to be educated."

�so there's no point trying to change anything.

For every social problem that has existed there have been people dedicated to solving it and creating positive social change. We may be born into a world with immense challenges, but we have the opportunity to create and recreate the world each and every day. Every situation that has been created by humans, can be changed by humans. A better world is always a possibility. While current problems may seem overwhelming, surrendering hope only ensures that nothing will change. Embracing your vision for a better world is all the hope you will ever need.

Once you let yourself envision a better world you can then consider where you fit into this whole picture. Our culture teaches us that we are each completely responsible for our own well being - that we are independent creatures on this planet that should make their own way in life without depending on others. This particular view of the world neglects the fact that we all rely on each other for our daily existence. We eat food that is grown from soil nurtured by microscopic organisms. We drink water that was vapor from the oceans. We breath oxygen respired by the trees. We wear clothing made by people across the planet that we will never meet. We rely on our friends and family for support. We create a sense of belonging and meaning within our communities. Our personal well being is inextricably linked to the well being of our families, our friends, our communities, and our planet - and the well being of others is shaped by our own well being as well.

Unfortunately many of us have learned to ignore these connections and live as if each of us are our own island. When you truly understand the interconnected nature of the world, you realize that you are both very powerful and yet very small--you influence everything around you yet there is so much more to life than just you. Recognizing these fundamental connections opens up the possibility of a new sense of awareness. When we validate these clear connections that bind us all together, we gain some awareness of how each of our own actions affect the people and the planet all around us.

TRAP #2: "It's not my responsibility"

You may be saying, "I didn't cause the world's problems so why should I be responsible for fixing them?" That may seem true on the surface until you realize that the problems that our world faces are created by the daily actions of millions and millions of people. The CEO of a company may be the person who should be held most responsible for the pollution created by her/his company. But don't the shareholders of the company bear some responsibility, and the people who purchase its products, and the local television station that covers car crashes and celebrity weddings instead of investigating local water quality?

All of us hold some measure of responsibility for the challenges that our society faces. Even if it's only because we have not taken the time to become informed about our world and about the well being of others. We don't like to take responsibility for other people's messes, and we like to think that our own messes are very small. But our impacts on the world are much larger than we think. For example, try to answer the following questions:

* Whose car causes smog? 
* Whose use of energy causes global warming and climate change? 
* Whose apathy leads to the lowest voter turnout in history? 
* Whose frown makes people think your city is not a friendly place? 
* Whose purchase keeps an unethical company in business? 
* Whose lack of support for a community group causes it to close its doors?

The answer to these questions is "all of us together". It's not one single person but everyone. You can't pinpoint which car causes a traffic jam because each car causes it. The responsibility lies with the group as a whole and with each individual.

How you spend and invest your money, the career you choose, the car you drive, your participation or nonparticipation in our democracy, and countless other decisions all impact our planet and its people. Each of us needs to take responsibility for our part in the creation of our world's problems and in the creation of a better world. Now trying to take personal responsibility for all of the world's problems will quickly overwhelm you, so just take on the challenge of doing your part. This book offers many concrete suggestions on how you can take responsibility for your part by creating forward-looking solutions to today's problems.

TRAP #3: "One person can't make a difference"

Even if you are willing to take responsibility and do your part to make the world a better place, you may be thinking, "But I'm only one person on a planet of 6 billion people with so many problems. I can't possibly make a difference!" Problems like racism, hunger and inequality seem so big that it's easy to feel small and powerless. How much of a difference can you actually make anyway? In truth, you can make one person's difference--no more, no less. On a daily basis you not only have the power to perpetuate the world's problems, but you have the opportunity to stand up for the creation of a world based on your own deeply held values.

* Your money invested in the right bank could help create more wealth for poor communities. 
* Your letter can be the one that changes the behavior of an entire corporation. 
* Your vote can elect government officials that really make a difference. 
* Your timely call to a friend can change their outlook for the day. 
* Your donation can help a social change organization meet its lofty goals. 
* Your purchase can allow a locally owned business to thrive in your community. 
* Your participation can transform a small group of people into the beginnings of a social 
movement.

Not only do each of your actions have a direct impact on the world but your every choice you make sends a message to those around you. Your choice to: use your bicycle instead of your car, set up recycling bins at work, or volunteer for an organization you care about, potentially inspires another person to do their part to create a better world. We then create momentum for each other and at the same time support each other to live in a manner that creates possibilities for a better future. The way you live your life is a constant message about who you are and what the world can be. Don't ever let anyone convince you that you have no power � together we have the power to change the world.

Remember that all significant changes in the world start slowly, at a single time and place, with a single action. One man, one woman, one child stands up and commits to creating a better world. This courage inspires others who begin to stand up themselves. You can be that person.

Deciding you're ready to be part of the solution is an exciting and powerful feeling. Once you become aware of how your actions affect others and accept responsibility for your role in creating a better world, your values will come to the forefront of your life. In what ways do you want to change the world? What do you value most in life? What would the world be like if everyone was taking responsibility for how their life creates and shapes the world?

TRAP #4: "Building a better world seems totally overwhelming"

Wanting the world to be a better place is one thing, but being willing to personally take on bringing that world into being is another. In the process of more fully integrating your values about the world with your actions, you are bound to become frustrated. The first thing that you may notice is that we all live in contradiction with many of our values.

* You wish people were friendlier, but you realize that you are often too busy to smile and say hello to the cashier at the place where you go everyday for lunch.
* You detest the thought of children slaving away in a sweatshop, yet you find out that the new pair of shoes you just bought (at a bargain price) were made by workers paid only a fraction of their living expenses. Damn!

This realization may leave you feeling frustrated, guilty or even hypocritical. This kind of disturbing insight is inevitable for anyone committed to building a better world. It's important to remember that we don't have to be perfect people, have perfect knowledge, wait until the perfect time or know the perfect action to take before we begin making the world better. These are all just ways that we keep ourselves from making a difference. Once you start, you'll gain better knowledge, better timing, better actions and ultimately become a better person for it.

Keep in mind that the goal is a better world and not a perfect world. It is not an all or nothing commitment. That's why it's called The Better World Handbook not The Perfect World Handbook. You take those actions that are sustainable for your unique life. You are seeking to better the world and better yourself in the process. Learn to live with your imperfections, embrace them � they are what make us human. And consider this. If you were somehow able to manage to be perfect, who would be able to live up to your standards? Who would want to join you in making a difference? Who be able to do what you do? No one.

The world is extremely complex and the impacts of our daily actions are truly global. We unknowingly contribute to the oppression of others and the degradation of the environment on a daily basis. But with each conscious choice you make to create a better world, you take responsibility for your existence. You increasingly become the director of your life as you more fully integrate your values with your actions. In essence, you are taking responsibility for the interdependent nature of life by realizing that every action you take shapes the world around you. You are choosing to live in a way that creates a stronger and healthier society and planet with your every action. Now is the time to commit to transforming your good intentions into action.

TRAP #5: "I don't have the time or the energy"

The last thing most of us want is to add even more responsibilities to our already busy schedules. Not only do we not have the physical energy for more activities, we don't have the psychic energy to worry about the world's problems.

We fill our daily schedules with bill paying, message returning, meal making, appointment keeping, note writing, house cleaning and appearance fixing. We surround ourselves with more and more technology to save us time and then often find ourselves at the mercy of it. In the end, it seems that we have even less time and more to get done. Unfortunately, this business distracts us from spending our time and energy on endeavors that truly nourish us. When you take the time to reschedule your life based on your most deeply-held values you will find all of the time necessary to live a fulfilling life that contributes to others. Upon examining your priorities you may discover that while you value spending time with your family you actually spend most of your free time watching TV. Why not shift your energies?

Many of the actions in this book take very little time to complete yet make a real contribution to the world. Some, like installing a low-flow showerhead or setting up an account at a socially responsible bank, you only have to do once. Other actions, like buying less stuff, will actually save you time that you would otherwise be spending in traffic, in lines, and working to pay for the stuff you bought. In fact we expect you to find that living out your values and engaging in meaningful daily action actually gives you energy � there's no better feeling than the feeling that you're making a positive difference in the lives of others.

TRAP #6: "I'm not a saint"

Many people stereotype individuals committed to social change as people who have put aside families, convenience, and pleasure for a cause they deem to be of greater importance. They are so committed to their cause that everything else becomes secondary. Images of Mother Theresa, Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mahatma Gandhi come to mind. We see these individuals living in poverty, fasting, or protesting and we label them as self-proclaimed martyrs. We can't imagine doing the things they do, and we think, "I'm not someone who can change the world," "I don't want to sacrifice everything," or "I'm not that �good'."

You don't have to be a saint to make a difference in the world. The point is to balance your personal needs, your family's needs, and your community's needs. The goal of this book is not to live the perfect life but to make improvements in your life so that your actions are increasingly in-line with your values. And be sure to forgive yourself when you don't live up to your own expectations. This book is not about giving up your whole life for a cause, nor is it about good deeds that you do twice a year when you finally get all of your chores done. It is about living a life full of passion and power--one that will enrich you and the world around you. Committing yourself to making a difference can be fulfilling, meaningful, and fun. Rather than being a sacrifice, working for a better world can help you create a deep happiness beyond your imagination.

Once you have a commitment to living out your values, the next step is to learn about and take the most practical, effective actions available to bring about the better world you envision. Without adequate information it's difficult to take effective actions and easy to take actions that unintentionally work against what you're trying to accomplish.

TRAP #7: "I don't know enough about the issues"

None of us wants to feel like we're leaping into action uninformed. Because the world's problems are so complex, it's easy to think we will never really know enough to act in ways that will really help solve these problems. Because of this complexity, it is important to make an effort to get quality information about the world so that your actions will actually be effective (see the MEDIA chapter for tips). And other times you just know in your heart which actions you should take.

In our ever-changing world there will always be more to know, but taking action can actually help inform you about the issues you care about. Becoming involved connects you with others who care about the same issues and creates numerous opportunities for learning. Don't worry, you don't have to start from scratch. This book provides you with plenty of information to get started and you can seek out further information as you get inspired.

TRAP #8: "I don't know where to begin"

In fact, you have already begun. On a daily basis, you already act in ways that take others' well being into account. Whether you lend your mower to a neighbor, jump start a co-workers car or let a car change lanes in front of you on the freeway. You have probably already taken some of the actions in the book. Go ahead and check them off.

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by all of the problems and possible solutions, so just start where you feel the most comfortable. Maybe pick an area in your life where you are already taking some actions. Then work up to actions that will be more challenging. Or start with the action that would be the most fun, the one you could do with a friend, or one that will give you the most fulfillment.

Throughout the book, we suggest choosing your battles. Identify actions that are important to you and realistic for you to take on at this point in your life. Be open to challenging yourself, but don't overwhelm yourself with unrealistic expectations. If making the world better isn't fulfilling for you, you won't keep it up very long.

TRAP #9: "I'm not an activist"

For many of us when we think of social change we imagine environmentalists in tie-dye shirts blocking logging trucks, bra-burning feminists screaming for change, or gas-masked rebels facing off with lines of riot gear clad police officers. Not wanting to get involved in such intense actions or be associated with what the media portrays as "irrational," "radical" protesters, we don't get involved. In reality, people of all professions, backgrounds, interests, and lifestyles are involved in social change. Lawyers, teachers, autoworkers, computer programmers, cashiers, and clerical workers are among the many people making a difference in the streets, in the office, in their communities and at home.

You can be yourself and fulfill your commitment to a better world. You don't have to follow some pre-designed path for making the world better. You don't have to change who you are to live out your values. In fact, with your values at the forefront of your life you're actually being more �true' to yourself. This book provides you a range of actions so that you can carve out your own niche. Be creative, forge your own unique path, and translate commitment into action in your own way. The process of integrating your actions (your outer existence) with your values (your inner existence) is a lifelong endeavor. Becoming more conscious of the way you live and voluntarily choosing to live a life that balances your personal needs and the needs of others is a powerful way of living. It is this delicate balance itself which leads to fully experiencing life.

People all over the world are living out their vision for a better world. There is a global transformation occurring where average people are increasingly open to making profound changes in the ways they live. Many people are simplifying their lives, buying less stuff, working less, and giving back more to their community. Concern and knowledge about the environment has spread for the last 30 years while recycling has become a widespread habit. People are taking time to learn about other cultures and appreciate diversity. No matter where you turn you see individuals doing their part in making the world a better place.

You are not alone in building a better world.

A WORD OF CAUTION
Beware that when you start living your life more in-line with your values that some potential conflicts may arise. Your actions will sometimes threaten others who haven't put as much thought into how they want to live their lives. They may even try to stop you from making changes in your life because they do not want to examine their own existence in the world. Accept this, it comes with the territory. It is also common to take on a self-righteous attitude when you have strongly held values. This attitude is destructive to the goal of a better world. People do not want to be around someone who lives life to show others how wrong they are. If you have an understanding of the beauty and the complexity of life you will always attract people who are yearning for peace and fulfillment. Understand that you are no better than anyone else, you are just someone trying to live life the best way you know how.