Comments mzungumasai has made

Democratize the Democratic Party

People often argue that our country has a two party system.  While this is true, I believe it is really a fine thing.  The problem lies in those parties themselves.  Our two parties should be coalition parties.  While to some degree they are coalition parties, both the republican and democratic parties are undemocratic.  The primary is our opportunity to support any candidate we want.  If a liberal candidate can't win the democratic primary how can we expect them to win in the national contest?  Winning is not first and foremost, our values are.  But if we can create a just primary system and greater democracy within our democratic party, then we will be giving Ralph Nader, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich, and anyone else a just opportunity.  We can work together as liberals to pick a candidate and support them in the national campaign.  The future justice of American politics lies in making the democratic party more democratic.  If we truly had a democratic democratic party any third party ralph naders would just be sore losers who couldn't handle the big time and felt as if they were still doing something.  Its time to move beyond egos, winners and losers, and to make a democratic democratic party.  That is what I will be working on.  No more superdelegates, everyone's vote equaling one vote, money restrictions, balanced media offerings, a democratic party democracy committee, a democratic party fact verification and anti-slander committee, and a candidate chosen from the votes not a convention.  Positive change takes many forms, but as we all work for that change my political efforts will be focused on increasing democracy within the democratic party.On Ralph Nader jumps into the presidential race posted 1 year, 9 months ago 31 Responses

My Question and the Responses

I am wrote this question because this is something I am interested in learning about and making sure my actions are the best possible.  Like all people I am somewhere in a process.  About a year ago I started thinking about how many cores, banana peels, and fruit/veggie remains I throw away while away from home (I do compost at home).  I thought, well, maybe if I put this, out of site, buried in a bush it will become a natural compost.  I adopted this a theme for dealing with natural food waste in my life while traveling.  One day before throwing a peach seed out the window of my car I thought about if my seed landed in the road it could possibly lead to more road kill.  A side affect of my action which I did not want.  So from then on I didn't throw my seeds into the road, either hanging onto them or making sure that they went beyond the road.  Around campus we recycle food in dining halls, but we don't recycle food waste that one eats outside of the dining hall.  I am on the Students for Sustainable Food board and working to make a change in this regard.  Nonetheless until I read Umbra's response I thought that by my putting food out of site and buried in bushes or the ground was ok.  I was stoked that my question was answered and at this opportunity to have a better, more effective environmental impact.  I attempt to take what I learn and try to do something about it.  I strive, like I imagine nearly everyone who looks at or is involved with this website, to be an environmentalist.  Everyday I go out of my way to act as positively as I can based upon what I know.  Everyday I try to learn more so that I will be able to be a better person.   We all have a similar cause, we are really all working together.  I've been told that my environmental preeching and actions can be a turn off.  I think it is true.  To often in the environmental movement we aren't as nurturing as we should be.  Posted comments say things like 'Never mind the eco slant, just stop being stupid, Brendan.' or 'Brendan, Brendan  -  c'mon, admit that your little 'habit' is really just extended laziness.' Those comments don't help.  One, these are not encouraging.  Two, they aren't true.  I honestly thought this was the best way for me to go about it.  Apparently not.  I'm sure we all do many things that aren't lazy because of our love for the environment.  For me this is a daily occurance.  I used to go out of my way to not throw food into trash cans, and rather look to find a good spot to let it naturally degrade.  Now I go out of my way to make sure I compost my compostable food.  I ate an apple on the way to a party tonight.  I hid my apple core outside of the house.  On my way back I took my apple with me to my room and put it into my new compost container (old plastic container) in my room.  I also found a nearby garden where they compost and where I can put my food waste.
Even comments which seem resonable may not be encouraging or helpful.  'Do us all a favor, put garbage in the trash.'  Contrast that to this 'I was always wondering about this! thanks for the good question!'  The first one definitely does not encourage one.  Rather it seems to say with negative undertones, stop causing problems, throw your food away.  Whereas I would definitely appreciate a response like 'People 'eco littering' has always been a pet pieve of mine.  I'm glad that you took the initiative and questioned whether what you are doing is right.  I am also glad that there is so much positive knowledge out there to be shared.  I know a lot about the postive impacts of composting vs. 'eco littering.  If you have any questions or want to learn more don't hesitate to contact me at bob@gmail.com.'
One of the great ways to help the movement is through education and supporting each other to be environmental in many ways.  I don't think I am holier than thou.  Honestly I think that in some ways each of us are probably all more environmental than the other.  Thats awesome.  I don't want to tell you how I am more environmental than you, rather I want to know and practice what works well for you.  I want your suggestions on how to be as environmental as possible.  By educating and encouraging each other I think we can grow as people and improve the environment.
I'm sorry if this being so long is an inconvience to anyone.  It is just what stood out to me after seeing that my question was answered and reading the responses.  I'd be happy to hear about what you think about my thoughts, and to learn from what anyone has to share.  
On Umbra on tossing food waste posted 2 years, 1 month ago 23 Responses