Yesterday, I was pressed for time because I had to get out the door quickly because I spent too much time with a customer. hmm... we call people customers, as if we're selling something to them, but I guess there is no good way of refering to people we're helping.

I wanted to comment on the quote from Freire, and why I found that one particularly interesting to me. People who align themselves with social justice initiatives in our culture often need to be connected for a particular purpose. In making these connections, some get caught up in self-interest, and become more like the force they are trying to fight.

in my work, I'm trying to help people by educating them about their options, but I am not supposed to help people if they are not part of the 'system'. IF someone doesn't fit into the proper category, i.e. not enrolled in a state program of assistance, I'm not supposed to help the person. Several people whose goal it is to help others fall into docility, and get caught up in the procedural blocks that persistently stop progress from being made.

I tried yesterday to help my friend Michael get his interpreting services back so that he can get his GED. The division of vocational rehabilitation (DVR) promised him in writing last month that he would not lose interpreting services as a result of budget restictions. Two weeks later, he was told verbally that he would lose them, without a thorough explanation or a letter, of course. He was told to disregard the letter. He has been incredibly driven to get his GED, but now feels somewhat discouraged. His DVR counselor has been less than helpful-- in fact completely rude, but there are several advocates for Michael increasing the pressure. Trust we are not remaining passive.

Some are passive in their choice for president, voting strategically rather than for the person they feel would do the best job as president. Ralph Nader is right on, they might say, but he has no chance of winning the election. Why does he have no chance of winning? Because people vote out of fear and not out of conscience, becoming as Freire says, "docile pawns of the elite."

Bravely vote your conscience. Without it, no progress will be made.

Why vote for Ralph Nader?

Corporate lobbyists have more influence in Washington than ever before. People in congress are more accountable to DuPont and General Motors than to the people.

The effect of this corporate influence is profound in its impact to everyday people:
* lack of affordable health care and prescription drugs.
* environmental pollution going unregulated and/or overlooked by officials.
* despite the huge economic expansion of the past several years, average wages are less than they were in 1979, adjusted for inflation.
* the minimum wage is less than it was in 1979, adjusted for inflation.
* family farms are disappearing, and large corporate farming systems are taking over, bolstered by biotechnology which forces us to accept genetically-modified foods in our supermarkets.
* corporate welfare of hundreds of billions of dollars helps support big business while 20% of our nation's children live in poverty.
* energy conservation efforts are declining and our dependency on fossil fuels is increasing. This is great news if you work for Exxon, BP/Amoco, or Shell, but not so good for the rest of us.

But Nader's got no chance of winning? The Green Party movement is gaining momentum, and your vote could mean the Greens will get Federal Matching funds to help with the costs of future elections.

Read Nader's announcement of his candidacy:
http://www.votenader.org/press/000221PresAnnounce.html

Get out. Get political. Get radical.