An Action of Love…
to- Stimulate the Movement -
President Bush signed a bill today that puts into affect the ‘Economic Stimulus Package”. Every ‘qualifying’ tax payer will receive $300-$600, depending on your income level. If you have children, you will also receive $300 for each child. The US Government hopeful that it will woo us into a frenzy of consumerism.
House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said “The sooner we get this relief in the hands of the American people, the sooner they can begin to do their job of being good consumers.” -House approves economic recovery plan, By Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Andrew Taylor, Associated Press writers.
The current administration believes Americans are so easily swayed into starry-eyed daydreams of… ‘Things we could have’
I’ve heard response from Economist Bruce Bartlett; “In short, there is virtually no empirical evidence that tax rebates are an effective response to economic slowdowns. The increased personal saving doesn’t help the economy because the federal budget deficit, which can be thought of as negative saving, offsets all of it in the aggregate. The main benefit of a tax rebate would seem to be political — giving politicians a way of appearing to be doing something about the nation’s economic problems that is superficially plausible.”
“A new rebate probably won’t do much harm. But anyone who thinks it will prevent a recession — if one is actually in the pipeline, which is not at all certain — is dreaming.”
One of the many points Economist Alex Tabarrok makes: “There just isn’t that much discretionary spending to play with and even a large increase in spending, say tens of billions, is too small to make much of a difference in a 13 trillion dollar economy. –
Then I asked…What is the COLLECTIVE power of $300-$600per person? The answer I came up with- HUGE!
Is this money an opportunity to support organizations that are working tirelessly to bring an end to the political chaos that the Bush administration has been a key in producing?
Could this turn into a massive action- the people funneling US money to places where it is really needed? Should we really be so concerned with our economy, in a time of such political unrest?
I see this as a way for people to speak loud and clear, with this money, where our focus could really make a passionate impact!
… a tax write-off of the most profound kind!
I also have a clear understanding that there are families and individuals in this country who could really use this money, A friend of mine will put hers towards getting caught up on her rent, I completely support those who will receive this money and put it to necessary uses; US poverty is HUGE and devastating to all of us.
What about all the folks who could live just fine without it (myself included- and there are many others)?
How to appeal to them in this writing? Here is my best attempt:
I am proposing a massive collectively powered ‘Action of Love’- All are invited to partake in this action and it is completely FREE! Think of it as redistribution of US funds- to where the People believe it should go- to ‘Stimulate the Movement’. In this action, we are able to live free from the attachment to acquiring more things, simultaneously redirecting our energy and buying power to actively work for a change so dreadfully needed.
Those who have spoken strongly against the Bush Administration, for the last 8 years can continue to speak loudly that we do not want to be appeased with money “to spend” when so much needs to be done to foster reconciliation between people, between cultures. Many people/groups are doing this work tirelessly, finding means to bridge the gaps of language, culture, and spiritual differences. We can work together in an Action of Love to support these organizations, sending a strong message of solidarity for peace and justice throughout the world. I encourage you to write a check for 50-100% of the amount you receive to one or more of the following non-profits that reside in and out of the U.S. This list is far from exhaustive; it is merely a chance for you to support an organization that you may not have known about.
I have a group called Action of Love on Wiser Earth, if you are inspired to share where you have ‘Stimulated the Movement’ with your Action of Love, please visit the site and share your pledge! http://wiserearth.org/group/ActionofLove/section/main
I am grateful for the assistance of my community in compiling this list:
Middle East Children’s Alliance: www.mecaforpeace.org/
Stop the Wall: www.stopthewall.org/
International Jewish Solidarity Network: www.jewishsolidarity.info/ijsn_purpose_and_points_of_unity
Jewish Voice for Peace: www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org
AGROS International: www.agros.org/
Combatants for Peace: www.combatantsforpeace.org
The Parents Circle-Families Forum: www.theparentscircle.org
The following Organizations are working in solidarity with marginalized communities in the US:
The Bay View (Bay area): www.sfbayview.com/
The Hate Free Zone: www.hatefreezone.org
generationFIVE: www.generationfive.org/
Refugee Women’s Alliance: www.rewa.org
LELO-Legacy of equality, Leadership and Organizing: www.lelo.org
Fierce (NYC): www.fiercenyc.org/
People’s Hurricane Relief Fund: www.peopleshurricane.org/
Real Change Newspaper (Seattle): www.realchangenews.org/
I look forward to the potential impact our collective voices could make. Om Shanti.
In the words of Michael Franti- “Power to the Peaceful!”
My commitment to this Action of Love is in honor of my teachers. In signing my name to this action, I am not holding ownership to the idea, but committing myself to following through with this Action of Love.
Namaste,
Linda Moore
Seattle, Washington
Leave a Reply