Re: freedom and independence


"Jim" <jim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1133073378.177974.200590@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Have you ever thought much about how communication is changing?
>
> The usenet is an expression of freedom and independence. It extends,
> of course, beyond national borders.
>
> Not long ago, long distance communication (including news information)
> relied on much slower and more expensive means. But today we can enjoy
> the internet and usenet, communicating freely to the whole world at
> once.
>
> Other things can change, as well.
>
> The same kind of freedom and independence can be had when it comes to
> the energy required to heat and power our homes -- and our automotive
> vehicles. That day, I fully believe, is coming. We can work to bring
> it about so that we can enjoy it now, or we can sit back and continue
> our bondage to big corporations (and their methods), paying way too
> much for power and not enjoying the freedom of having our own private
> sources at home.
>
> To me, as an American, it's all about freedom and independence.
>
> What do you think? Are the people of America still
> independence-minded? I mean, really?
>
> Here in America we have a reputation for holding the idea of
> independence pretty high. But we need to be careful not to give too
> much power to corporations that love to keep a hold on our lives.
>
> Think about it. There are the credit agencies, such as banks, credit
> card issuers, etc. that can end up with a lot of power over a person,
> or even over an entire family. There are the advertisers who work very
> hard to persuade us that we need to be thinking about this, buying
> that, and so on. And along those same lines, there are the media people
> who very much want to sway folks as to what we should think and feel
> about various issues.
>
> But my main thought right now is the power companies themselves. The
> utility companies and oil companies. We tend to gripe about these guys
> but then we do very little to shake off the hold they can have over our
> entire household.
>
> When I see the grip that electric companies and gas companies have, for
> example, I wonder just how much we really cherish our freedom in this
> country. It's not like we have no alternatives.
>
> Alternative power is here. Some of our neighbors are using solar, wind
> power, various geo-thermal power, and so on to either supplement or
> supply their household power. The technology is here. It's working. But
> only a relatively small number of people are going for it.
>
> It's possible to heat your home all winter by using passive solar, wind
> powered generators, and solar panels. Of course, the other big
> alternative is also in place and being used by a larger number of
> people: wood heat.
>
> Only when enough people are switching from total dependence on the
> electric grid and/or gas lines to private power will we begin to see a
> real return to independence-minded America.
>
> Griping about poor leadership, griping about high prices, griping about
> the economy -- none of this gets anything accomplished. Personal
> freedom & independence never comes without a struggle. The "fight" has
> to be inside of us before we will emerge as a free people. We can see
> this when we look at nations such as Iraq. Why can't we see it in
> ourselves?
>
> Real freedom cannot be given to us by other people. Politicians will
> never be able to do it for us. It must be earned, forged, built with
> our own hands. That's demonstrated in the history of our own nation.
> It's just as true today as it ever was.
>
> Anyway, just thinking about these things.
>
> Jim
> www.jimsdesk.com

the ability to pay my power company chump change in exchange for the freedom
that power gives me is the best bargain in town.


.

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