Issue with Mandatory Recycling

Lee.

I hear you! I can't help but wondering if perhaps this 'fining of the individual' could be the first step toward a greater acceptance of accountability (larger groups like big companies). Like you, my sense tells me that changes on a larger scale are important for the healing work we have to do. But going by all the evidence around us, these changes really do seem to be going at their own pace. 

Most of the waking up I have experienced has been gradual, and that in itself seems to be a critical part of the process - despite how impossible it may seem at the time. There does come a point though where consciousness just shows up fully - like a light bulb that is turned on; in one instant suddenly everything is very different. We are feeling around for the light switch and as soon as we find it we cant help but flip it. It will happen. But if we panic in our fumbling around in the dark, I am willing to bet it will take a lot longer to find the switch.

Honestly, I'm not sure Kate.

Whether it is government, business, or community issues, it has always been up to the individual. Too often we hear the individual deny accountability as they feel overwhelmed by the system. People feel powerless and the anonymity of large institutions has individuals compromising their own values, values for humanity, out of fear - fear of being fired, fear of not belonging, or whatever. In addition, the anonymity also has many hiding their true agenda for selfish gain as well.

I'm reminded of those in control who are at war over oil and hide behind political and terrorist rationalization. I'm reminded of Enron and other corporate misdeeds and how shareholders have priority. I'm reminded of so many things everywhere, really. And like you, I believe change is happening, though it wasn't that long ago - a year or less - that I seriously had doubts as I was seeing more and more of the negative.

Focusing on the positive is important and I realize this is now why I feel like change is happening. Yet, doubt creeps in, and it creeps in the more I access our world history. The only reason I'm hedging right this moment is the book I'm reading right now by Sidney Poitier, "The Measure of a Man" - a phenomenal read.

p102 I read the following:

In 1958 I did anohter picture, The Defiant Ones, that took some heat. Here a good portion of the controversy came from my friends in the black community. It was a Stanley Kramer film written by some very intense and committed progressives, based on their own convictions about race in America. The story was about two fugitives ... one white and one black ... who could never maneuver their way safely through the system. Each misunderstood the other, but they also misunderstood their own individual limitations; so they scapegoated each other.

... (skipping lots of good stuff)...

Greed and cruelty are pretty widely distributed throughout humanity, as are their victims. You can have oppression of one sort or another all across the board culturally speaking, and all across the board racially speaking, and all across the board religiously speaking. The ... characters ... weren't willing to give any credence to this commonality until their experience thrust it right up int heir faces and they could no longer ignore it. ....

They're interchangeable, these two guys. The slight difference -- very slight difference -- of one being white and one being black obscures all the other issues about the nature of society. To lay all of society's ills on racial differences is simplistic.

Now of course, race isn't the only insights Sidney speaks about here in his book about his life and observations and experiences. What is fascinating is how you take race out of the equation and you begin to see that a root problem in society is comparison and power-brokers (note the movie Thank-You for Not Smoking) know and understand the human animal and how to create circumstances that promote a reality they'd like to endure. For what? Oil? Consumerism? Haves and have-nots?

This history lesson is showing me that we replace one thing that distances us from others for another thing, time and time again.

Naturally, I've looked at this issue and investigate many things, never quite sure where the line of truth is in each case. What I do know for certain is that the blindness of the powerless is in not seeing that en masse we create the tidal wave of change. Now the question is how to knock them off the stool of complacency so real change can sweep the globe.

Gotta run for a coaching call.

Best wishes, Lee

Leedman, I came across your article after I wrote a rant on the repeated destruction of my blue box and bags. I really appreciate your point of view, particularly with accountability from the top down - practice what you preach.

Also, would love to hear your opinions on air-caring commercial vehicles and other modes of transportation such as jet liners and cruise boats/ferries. It's my suspicion that they contribute more to pollution than our personal vehicles.

Great writing, cheers.
CV

I love the idea of commercial vehicles being subject to air-care testing!

You're opening up a can-of-worms with that question!

Seriously, I've done a lot of exploring into finding the truth because there truly are so many contradictions between history, leadership, economics, science, and religion. This ties back to the "us vs. them" paradigm that inhibits real progress.

Now, I'm not saying that there is a conspiracy that has spanned thousands of years - although stranger things could be true. What I am saying is that the people in elite and powerful positions fear falling from the lofty perches that have been handed down generation after generation. Power, position, and prestige are intoxicating places to observe and experience life. In fact, I heard recently that a member of the elite out of the White House has a book out that pretty much admits to this. I haven't seen or read it, I heard this from another one of my cohorts as we were discussing some of these issues.

In the past, less information has been available to the general public and we accepted the explanations offered by leaders of business, religion, and politics. Today, we're discovering that there are less differences between people, other than the created issues that direct our attention from the truth: We all are human-beings, with a heart, a love for family and friends, who want to experience a joyful life.

Naturally, this does not imply there would be no hardship. Real growth, exploration, discovery, creativity, and all the things that spur us on individually consist of elements of hardship, and having to push through to reach success.

Now that I have gone off on a sufficient tangent - I warned you it was a can-of-worms - you're probably scratching your head and wondering what this has to do with the price of oil in Iraq. See where we're going?

Have you seen "Who Killed the Electric Car?" This was a vehicle that was far better than the solutions that most people are aware of today. What do we have today? The Hybrids, and all this talk about Hydrogen Fuel. You check out that movie "Who Killed the Electric Car?" and discover just how awesome that car was! Powerful, clean, easy to use, sharp looking, it was perfect. And it would have only gotten better.

What's the problem with Hybrids? Still relies on fossil fuels. What's the problem with Hydrogen? It's still a fuel and has all the same issues re: environment in different ways - this requires more research before I can say definitively. But here is the real rub with Hydrogen: It's more expensive than fossil fuel! Again, I ask, Who Stands to Gain?

There is an infrastructure of fuel distribution already in place and many business people, including the President of the United States, who have their hands deep down the pants pockets of the fossil fuel industry. Is it any wonder they're in so much support of Hydrogen Fuel? They know fossil fuel is heading out the back door and they want to usher a replacement product back in the front door. It's all about their profits - not about what is good for our future generations.

Now take electricity for example. We've scarred the earth with Hydro-Electric Dams, polluted the air with Coal Burning Electrical Plants, and we've got nuclear waste from Nuclear Power Plants to deal with too! And please realize, that each topic I bring up also includes far more pollution and damage to create and maintain other than just the function of its' purpose! You follow?

So what of it, electricity that is? A long time ago there was a brilliant scientist named Tesla. His funding came from a businessman who wanted Tesla to create a power distribution source for electricity. If you watch the movie, "The Prestige" you'll find it interesting to see how a dramatization has been included into the film about Tesla's free energy work. He succeeded! And like in the movie, his work was destroyed. While the actual facts surrounding this are speculative, the truth remains, as do Tesla's records, research, and science, in the hands of the US government.

I had to come back after previewing to add one more thing. Before you dismiss any of this as bunk or conspiracy theory, remember this: Microsoft Corporation has been known to squash or buy-out competitors in order to retain their position in the market. We've seen plenty of take-overs in the free-enterprise system that is driven by this mindset. I say this to remind you that Tesla isn't the only brilliant mind out there who has arrived at better solutions. The question we have to ask ourselves is "Who is denying these solutions from reaching the marketplace and public awareness?"

And before any of us washes our hands of responsibility, remember that we've been guilty of turning our heads from the truth too. We've swallowed the lies. Our guts, our intuition, and our hearts have often known the truth.

Our fears, our bitterness, and our weaknesses have sabotaged progress and generosity.

So, simple answer to your question: Yes!

Complicated answer: I'm not sure how to bring about the change that will truly set us free from the iron grip of business and politics. Where agendas are pushed through for the profiteering of a few, at the expense of future generations.

That is the truth. Most decision made now are short-sighted and for immediate gain. The only reason we're seeing more activity here in North America is because there are other countries whose situations are far worse than ours where pollution and overcrowding are concerned. They need answers sooner and are racing to that finish line. That is what has been pushing North American politicians and businessman to keep moving forward. But they're controlling the pace, not you or I.

Remember "Thank You For Smoking" demonstrates clearly the science of sociology, the human condition, and the sleight of hand used by industry and politicians to keep fooling the masses. Even today, there is still a majority that has been so sufficiently duped and dumbed-down that they spew the ignorance of hate whenever the truth is trying to show itself. "That's not right! We're justified in our war! Kill the f.. " ahem... You get my point.

I have so much more - these issues are not simple problems with simple answers. It's a complex and entangled web that will take great courage, cooperation, collaboration, faith, and belief within our hearts, families, communities, and so on. We've got the ability, the question is, "Do we have the heart?"

Perseverance, tenacity, powerful choices, accountability, taking responsibility: these things mean we will need to be the change we want to see.

• Carpool,
• buy from local fruit and vegetable markets,
• start fixing things instead of throwing them out and buying new ones
• walk, bike, live closer to your work
• build our communities more efficiently - hub & spoke
• Why do we all have to work downtown?
• Why do all the business have to have this image of pretense having a downtown address?

These are some scary ideas for most people. We've become so used to our creature comforts, job security, etc. What is this kind of change going to cost us? That is how people think, and all they want is to make it through this life comfortably with what they've got and keep their families safe. And one day, I asked my father, "What about me? What about my kids? And my kids' kids?

Do you know what he said to me? "It's not my problem." That's the baby-boomer generation (not all of them mind you) but it is a majority and when push comes to shove, the attitude is all about ME. Do we really need all this stuff? Does all this stuff really fill the gap in your heart? This is what is driving the Gen X-Y - and we hate the labels too. The Pigeon-Holes are what got us here. It's time to start seeing the truth.

One can-of-worms half-eaten. I can't even count how many more there are to go. But keep smiling, keep loving, keep focusing on solutions, and we'll eat 'em one worm at a time. ;)

Thanks for stirring up my juices today. I loved it. :)

Best wishes, Lee

Lee Down is a professionally trained Coach committed to the awakening and development of the human spirit. In this capacity, and as a Spiritual Teacher or Guide, One Man Can wants to inspire and empower your life, your relationships, an

this sucks...our town has mandatory recycling.