I'm Mad as Hell
"Without commonly shared and widely entrenched moral values and obligations, neither the law, nor democratic government, nor even the market economy will function properly."
(Václav Havel)
Where Are We Going?
I look around myself and wonder, where are we going. The world seems to have changed so much since I was a child. Was it really simpler then or was it me? Has the world changed, or my perception? I have so many questions. Searching my soul I come to the conclusion that it is both the world and my perception. It seems a loss of innocence has been occurring over time. A loss of trust, friendship, community. Increased isolation in a world brought smaller every day. Divide and conquer seems to be the message of power. Isolate and overtake is the whisper on the wind.
We need to come back to oneness. We need to maintain our communities, our friendship, our trust. We cannot let these things be taken from us by the media, the politicians, the corporations. They seek to overcome us through fear. Through fear we will continue on our path. With fear we willingly bend our backs for a pittance, we allow our children to fall into despair, we allow greed to overcome the world.
I do not and will not condone revolution. Each of us has a responsibility to our world. We need to come together to eliminate the hate, the bigotry, the malignancy of fear that is growing in our world. Acceptance, acknowledgment and affirmation are the skills to learn now. These skills will allow us to move forward, out of the stagnation that life has become. Move from limbo into action. We are here, now, together. Look around and see each other.
Start Seeing
Crosby, Stills and Nash-Woodstock
Open Your Eyes & Wake Up
We need to stop listening and start seeing. Is there really no good news to be had? Has no-one done a loving act of kindness today? You will soon believe this to be true if you listen to the news. Why is it that the reality of the reporter focuses on the bad, the hate, the killing. Is this really our reality, is there nothing more? I do not believe this reality. I believe this reality is made by some, not by most. Made to keep us in fear…to keep us divided…to keep us where we are today. Believe me, someone is making money off the hate, the fear, the war…is it you? Community is dying to buy society. Is this the legacy we pass on to our children?
Wake up people! We all need the same things. Clean air, clean water, shelter, food, love…these are our basic needs, the things we cannot do without. Each and every single human being on this earth needs these same things. These are the things of life, all else is want. I want a bigger house, I want brand name clothing, I want a new car…we are taught that we want since infancy. We are taught that achievement of our wants will bring happiness. It is fallacy. Love, friendship, community…these are the makers of happiness. The wants and the greed are the killers of happiness.
The Long Climb
The Killer is Greed
We no longer have time for simple human relationships. We leave our spouses, our children, lose track of our friends in the search of want. We must climb that ladder, top the Tower of Babel, be the best. And in the end, alone and broken, we die unhappy and realize how we let our happiness slip through our fingers to find a lie at the top of the tower. And my heart bleeds that it is so.
Step outside the lies, look with open eyes at our world, and wonder, why? Why are we killing each other? Why are we killing our oceans? Why are we killing our world? Do you have an answer? Have you seen the truth? I will tell you my truth. Greed is killing us. Greed is killing our oceans. Greed is killing our world. Can you move beyond the greed. Can you remember the happiness of a child, before you were sucked into the vacuum of avarice we call our world?
Will you really sacrifice all the good in your life for a false dream? Don’t let the sandman rule you, wake up, wake up sleepy heads! See the real dream. The dream of fear gone, hate ended…the dream of acceptance, acknowledgment and affirmation. We can have it. It lives in our hearts and we can make it our world…but only if we each take responsibility for it. Refuse to let another take over your choices. Only you can make your reality. Through your thoughts, your actions, your works your reality can come to exist. Slough off the old skin of indifference, apathy, hopelessness and take your reins in your own hand. We each have the power to make reality. It takes some work to overcome the teachings of today, but the outcome is well worth it. Lose your anxiety, I did. Lose your fear, I have. Live YOUR life, I do.
The American Dream-Revised (NSFW)
"To Each According To His Greed"
Joe Stack wrote, "I saw it written once that the definition of insanity is repeating the same process over and over and expecting the outcome to suddenly be different. I am finally ready to stop this insanity. Well, Mr. Big Brother IRS man, let’s try something different; take my pound of flesh and sleep well.
The communist creed: From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.
The capitalist creed: From each according to his gullibility, to each according to his greed."
He then proceeded to crash his plane into his local IRS building. Read his whole note here.
My Life Has Value and I'm Mad as Hell
Time to Take Our World Back
I want to know we can make a new world and so I ask a favor. On December 31, 2009 beginning at midnight until January 1st, 2010 and every New Year's Eve after this (yes, that means this year), I want everyone to go to their windows with their families, open them and yell out, “I’m as mad as hell and I’m not gonna take this anymore”. Go to your porch, stand in the street with your neighbor and yell “I’m as mad as hell and I’m not gonna take this anymore”. Gather in the town halls and town squares and yell, “I’m as mad as hell and I’m not gonna take this anymore”.
I understand that not everyone feels comfortable yelling, "I'm mad as hell". Yelling the words "mad as hell" is not a requirement. You can yell, "I love this world", you can yell, "I am tired", you can yell, "Wake up". Or you can just gather, hug your neighbor, shake some hands, make some friends. This is all about reconnecting the human race. This is all about letting others know they have value. This is all about ending the fear and spreading love. This is a wake up call to our leaders that the greed is not acceptable, we want a world in which peace and health are viable options.
Let us show the world that we do not want to live this false dream any more. We want our dreams back. Dreams of love and happiness. Dreams of safety for ourselves and our children. Dreams of peace on earth. Dreams of a healthy world. Show the ones who do not understand, we will deny this reality they have thrust on us. Show the world that we can stand together to make a better tomorrow. Tomorrow maybe we will figure out the answers, but today we need to stand together as friends, as families, as communities, as the world. January 1, 2010 we take our world back from greed.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do
nothing."
(Edmund Burke)
Do Not Fear
Look into my eyes, do not fear
See my light, hope and cheer
Strangers we are, friends we become
Smiles shared make us one
Look into their eyes, do not fear
Share a smile, lend an ear
We are alike, not really so strange
see the unknown, a smile exchange
Share a little light in a dark world
Hope and love become entwirled
The plan it is to end it all
No-one cares, heed death’s call
No hope exists, it has all gone
A death will happen before the dawn
Acknowledge another, do not fear
Smiling may save them from a tear
We never know what we may save
When we smile we share, be brave
Share a little light in a dark world
Hope and love become entwirled
Greed Is A Killer
Comments
..well months later this fellow has a car paid in full, I addressed to him, why couldn't he have paid for the damages that he caused. Most of his family ,including,sisters,brothers,father in law, father,mother,brothers,ect..told me "you have no witnesses,you damaged your own truck,this is our house,leave". I was stunned. this is all I ask,what was rightly mine. They smerked and laughed. I felt like a fool.I felt so hurt. they live across the street from me. They used me and didn't care. what was rightly mine to ask for they didn't care. So how am I to go on and help change the community, if no one else cares to0 ,and don't care if anyone is hurt. Am I to go on helping and being friendly, while I'm made a fool of and discarded? This really hurts me. Please don't judge me for helping as they did. They blamed me for helping. I dont trust any more,yet I do care for people ,what am I to do?
This all sounds good, but I don't know...My neighbors came to the U.S.,after living in a refugee camp for 18 years. They came with nothing. It was winter of last year. I gave them boots, coats, hats,gloves,etc, I've spent money on needs of theirs, both for family and relatives. I spoke with service men when needed, drove them to where ever they needed to go. Didn't ask for anything in return. Didn't want anything. Was just happy to help.This has gone on since they have arrived less than a year ago. The list goes on and on. I even tried to help one of them to learn how to drive...well he crashed my truck and almost killed us. He gave me 100 dollars and told me that's all his family had. My truck is still partially damaged because I didn't have the deductible.I've had it repaired as much as I could. con't
Yes k@ri - you have touched my heart more than once with kindness and love. Inspiring proactivity is a worthy cause and goal. Sometimes it's tough to remember compassion, like honey, can motivate or catch more to make a positive difference.
apathy is not part of the serenity prayer...
I believe energy is shifting globally. It feels as though we've already given the greedy enough rope to hang themselves but, perhaps our feet were still bound by the manipulative rope of their manifestations. Cutting ourselves lose may be a quicker answer than dangling in anger.
You are a a leader, and respond naturally with love. Thank you for your natural response of love with my comment too. It was shared to throw a lifevest to someone I thought may have fallen off the boat for a moment, when I was sure she was right there with us... Thank you too for assuring me you are still here.
- and speaking out against injustice will always be a message I too shout from the rooftops as often as possible. Hugs dear lady - pls keep up the great work!
Well written k@ri - whatever it takes to raise awareness. Like Misha, I too choose to focus on the positive, acceptance, love and, believing a difference can be made if we all synergistically relinquish our hatred and anger. The greedy soul is never satisfied, the angry never free of blame - hatred of anything exacerbates the negative energy threatening to extinguish our very existence with its ugly manifestations. Perhaps it is time to unite with determination to focus on what is good... what is positive. S Covey says that for every negative act, there are a million that are positive. We all must begin within to focus on those before a truly positive change can transform our world for the better. May I suggest we all reach out to someone every New Year's eve to say and convey from the depths of our being, "I love you"
Great Job, I 'm so glad someone got this out in such a fashion that they are responding, I hope one day my writing might do the same. I will fow your works and klearn. ED
Great Hub! Next time I log on to facebook I'm joining! Thanks for sharing! :)
"I think we need to eliminate 24/7 news. it has sickened our world even for those who choose to turn it off. the poison that it puts into peoples minds is an abhorrence to our civilization. it permeates the air, those who refuse to live this way must focus on bettering ourselves, I think this is how it's done. what we focus on is what we see.
share the love, light~~ :D"
Funny that I ended up here while just looking around. I will be joining your fan club...The comment that rebekahELLE left goes along perfectly with a hub I just wrote about "Can Hardcore Political Beliefs Lead to a Breakdown in Society" which actually ended up being more about how the American people are being controlled by fear since 9-11. I know you didn't intend to get political with your hub, but the news channels (especially the 24/7 political ones), mass media, etc. all want to scare you to death and make you unsure of yourself so you will buy what they are selling and they can "help" you figure out how to live...I agree with you AND rebekahELLE-it does come down to greed. The almighty dollar made from high ratings and sales of newspapers and magazines...thanx for a great hub, Laura
I think we need to eliminate 24/7 news. it has sickened our world even for those who choose to turn it off. the poison that it puts into peoples minds is an abhorrence to our civilization. it permeates the air, those who refuse to live this way must focus on bettering ourselves, I think this is how it's done. what we focus on is what we see.
share the love, light~~ :D
Nice hub.
Stop listening? I think we need to listen more carefully to catch the true meaning.
While I may be a bit out of context for myself...people fail to recognize the greatest gift of all. Love.
I also believe only action - our action can save us. If a man made it then a man can fix it. But it is going to take a lot of effort. The price we pay for our complacency.
Again - nice job.
No need to be mad ,the way things are going the social economic system will destroy itself and people will realize that the only way to survive will be to share what we have with eachother.
I will be right there along with you. . Makes me think of the song BETTER DAYS
"And you asked me what I want this year
and I try to make this kind and clear
just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
'cause I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
and designer love and empty things
just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
So take these words and sing out loud
'cause everyone is forgiven now
'cause tonight's the night the world begins again
I need some place simple where we could live
and something only you can give
and that's faith and trust and peace while we're alive
and the one poor child who saved this world
and there's ten million more who probably could
if we all just stopped and said a prayer for them
So take these words and sing out loud
'cause everyone is forgiven now
'cause tonight's the night the world begins again
I wish everyone was loved tonight
and somehow stop this endless fight
just a chance that maybe we'll find better days"
~Goo Goo Dolls~
Instead of shouting, just boycott the news. Don't watch it on TV and cancel your newspapers. News on TV today is served like and Entree while the weather is served as the dessert.
That's something I didn't expect to hear outta you?! LOL I couldn't agree more with you! It would be great to get everyone together and yell together on New Year!
I know its just a hub and you really arent mad atleast you dont sound mad,sounds to me like you have more to be glad about than to be mad about.I find that it is much easier being happy than it is being angry,both for me and everyone arond me,(Keep On Smilin)
Nice hub, good thoughts..
We might end up like the Iranians shouting on top of our roofs, because the atmosphere and living conditions are such that we are being swamped by dangerous rhetoric, vicious racism and bigotry, appalling greed, serious corruption, devastating bankruptcy, unsettling joblessness; crippling house losses, and deadly loss of health and health coverage are now the norm. The news brew and cook our attitudes, and exploit our vulnerable gullibility with guile. We watch the news, we Tweet, we, we bury our heads and soul with i-pods, we hub and blog, but in the process we are all aware that Rome is burning and no one seems to think that will affect one, even if one and all is affected. We have let multi-corps dictate our life-styles and cripple our country; we are letting a motley crew of racists and bigots, manipulated by different corporate interests dominate our distressed selves, economy and nation. As a nation, we have allowed racism and unjust laws and views and projection of other people within our mosaic to be unjustly prosecuted, called names, harassed, and we kept quite all time. Most blogs and hubs are filled with vitriolic and harsh utterances that it somewhat scares most good willing people to silence. We may be the silence of the lambs, or looked askance as the Germans did when the jews were prosecuted in the ovens of death. Yes, we have a lot to introspect about and we have a lot to push back against. This country seems to have lost its vibrancy and moral radar. We have become accustomed into being baby-sat by the media, multi-corps and corrupt government. We have been given many types of pacifiers and we are sucking them with intensity whilst the young civilization is crumbling all around us. As you say, we need to see and there are many ways of seeing. At present we see the world as TV, Internet, Radio, Magazines, e-mail, tweeters and the whole bit. We still have to see and make the world livable as human beings, and in our case, as Americans
Hey K@ri, great hub dear... still enjoy reading them.
I can feel how frustrated and angry you are in this essay, but I think the problem is expressed well in the Havel quote you open with. I don't think we have commonly shared and widely entrenched moral values, and trying to get consensus on what the 'right' values are is part of the reason there is so much hate and strife in the country right now. I wish we could all just live and let live, that would be a good start but it doesn't look likely anytime soon.
A couple of weeks ago a woman who lives in one of the minimansions in the plat next to our house shouted out her window at me. They don't know us but they hate us because our house is small and old and they offered the former owners a low-ball offer to tear it down, which they refused and sold to us instead. I would be happy if they just quit judging us and let us be, but for some reason it's really important to them to be better than someone.
Anyway, I won't be shouting out my window because I can tell you for sure that it feels like crap to be the target of unfocused rage shouted out a window. But I do like your suggestion of everyone going their own way and doing what feels right. That's what I'm doing. Hope you feel better having vented this. :)
Hi Kari,
Some awesome words.
People shout at me over small things like dog pee so I am not surprised at what they will do for larger than pee issues - lol. Maybe it is just the general dark cloud of the economy, but that does seem to be improving in little bits.
I am with Misha on this. Nowadays I just focus on changing myself. If everyone did this, perhaps we will take a step closer to that better World :)
God will change things..its his timing that matters. if my people will call on my name and turn from their wicked ways i will heal their land..thats what we all need to do and then watch Him work.
This is the first hub of yours that I've read and your passion is evident in your writing. I'll definitely be joining your fan club. I mad too and I agree and disagree. I think the media has been used to keep the people in a constant state of fear. The powers that be do not want the people to believe that we can change anything and we've become slaves to that fear due to our own lack of knowledge. When love is not taught, it certainly won't be learned and what's being taught in our world is "every man for himself". Communities simply can't survive that way. Great job!
I seldom get mad, k@ri, but I do get puzzled, and it puzzles me very much that people, everyday, ordinary, nice folks, stand by and let civilisation slide further and further into the abyss. Why is greed applauded and encouraged? Why is violence tolerated? Why do we still go to war instead of resolving issues through diplomacy. I'm not in the blame game. The whole world is in a mess. But it's just a big puzzle. We're so clever and we've come so far, so why aren't we getting it right?
My thoughts will be joining yours on New Year's Eve!
Read your hub again and ask yourself how any sane and rational being could not agree with you. By all rights, this simple piece of literature should "wake up" anybody who reads it. But it's all been said before, hundreds of times. "This world is full of hate and greed! Can't you see it?" You may as well be shouting at a brick wall because if humanity wanted to "wake up" it would have done so a long time ago. And who's to say they're even sleeping, for some, the deepest desires are exactly the shallow and petty wants that society perpetrates. It wouldn't have gotten this bad if that wasn't the case, even if it doesn't apply to all of us.
K@ri, nice Hub and it speaks to what the Bible teaches. If more people got past their feelings about Christians and read what has been written, we might realize your dream.
This is an amazingly great hub. You excel yourself Kari, truly. xox
Agreed!
You are so right it almost hurts ... "I am" through You - thank you.
I will do my part on Dec 31; I have participated in worlwide meditations in the past for peace. Guess we need different/creative approaches to bring awareness to others. Since I am generally not aggresive by nature, I can't hear myself screaming "I am mad as hell", but I can hear myself saying "wake up, folks!" LOL!
Thx Ixxy
"It Is about a spiritual sickness that needs to be addressed."
Just wanted to point that out....
Now I understand, k@ri---and agree absolutely!
Love and Hugs, Mom
K@ri I try to stay away from the news now because It can be so sad .Im not mad as hell I am sad as hell ! And I agree that greed Is the major catalyst of all things In decline .
All I can do Is my part . If I want to see change I have to be the first one to do so , It Is about responsibility . And that for me starts with how I treat people , and I can always use Improvement . I have always maintained that people will not change until the pain of staying the same Is greater then the pain of the change .I feel that everybody not just stateside but globally Is starting to hit that point .
Because what you speak of has nothing to do with liberals or conservatives or Governments or Ideologies . It Is about a spiritual sickness that needs to be addressed .
What might be the good news here Is that pain Is usually a great catalyst for change . Good read and I luv ya my friend !
This is a lovely dream, dear. There will never be any Utopia on Earth. But we can do something and you said it. We need to reconnect in a real way with all the people we love and make new friends to love and regain a sense of community. No more "Bowling Alone." Thanks for a fine Hub. :-)
k@ri--I totally agree with your premise---up until the point when you start shouting! Then I line up with Hxprof and take his suggestion one step further. Explore the life of Jesus as revealed in the Bible's Book of John. Think about how this countercultural Man walked among us, showing us how to live in peace, kindness, and with absolute truth. And then He died a horrible death to give each of us the possibility of eternal life in heaven with God, where there will be no more wars or hate or discrimination, but joy and peace and perfect community. Actually, that joy and community begins as soon as a person turns to God and trust what Jesus has already done for us. Then we have something to offer the world around us that is good, true, encouraging and uplifting. If enough of us take this route, we can TRULY change the world!
You're right, the problem is in our hearts. Fact is, we don't have the ability to change our hearts on our own. God has made the arrangements for that to happen-what He wants is for us to repent and submit ourselves to Him so He can begin the process of changing our hearts to rid us of all the foulness and replace it with the character of Jesus Christ.
You are right. Hatred is the keyword here. Besides, some other elements like bigotry and racism should be eliminated so people can co-exist. You got a wonderful theory.
Well I ain't mad, but lately I have been voicing my displeasures of this greed among other things. Good luck to you all in your efforts dear and I too support you. I will link this hub to one of my World Peace hubs.
Sorry K@ri, I don't think so. I have at least three reasons for this:
1. New Year Eve is a very special Russian Holiday, probably the main holiday of the year. And it is all about family. The very moment you guys want me to shout out I will be making my wishes to my family members for the coming year and drinking champagne to wishes becoming true. Sorry, just a bad timing for me. :)
2. I gave up long ago on changing the World, and nowadays I concentrate on changing myself to fit the World better. Works way better for me. :)
3. I am not mad, so shouting that I am mad would be a lie. And I strongly believe ends do not justify means. If fact I believe means are all what matters. :)
That said, I commend your effort, and you have my full support. Love and light. :)
You sure sound mad, k@ri...but is getting mad the answer?
Love and light K@ri. You go gurl! :)
I am mad also which is why I don't watch the news on TV. Everytime I do I get angry because, like you said, they only portray the negative things about our society or what some celebrity is doing. I know the American people are more interesting than that so I will write my own hub about it. Seein' how I won't be around for about a month as I am going on leave you should be able to see it around the middle of September. This is a great hub.
I am already a member of "Mad as Hell." I am, too!
Keith...Amen...you have said it all in a small but powerful way...I am mad as Hell too..
Kari...this is a wonderful hub, you never cease to amaze me woman...Thanks and I will pass this one on for sure...:O) Hugs and Hugs
Kari, The following quote is attributed to Mahatma Gandhi.
"The things that will destroy us are: politics without principle; pleasure without conscience; wealth without work; knowledge without character; business without morality; science without humanity; and worship without sacrifice."
If Gandhi was right, then we are well on our way to destruction.
It makes me mad as hell.
Keith
Kari: I needed to read this today! Thank you, thank you, and thank you again.
OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!!! I'm mad as hell too, K@ri. Although I don't want to jump into politics, I just don't see how we can't not have a revolution if things really are to improve...One hubber asked if we could have a "bloodless revolution?" Is that what you are suggesting? Let me know. I'm all in if anything else! And yell, my vocal chords should be working well that day!!!
I'll be waiting to yell it out. ;)
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