10 Signs of Hope for Human Survival

Most honest people will admit the nation and world are heading in the wrong direction on many fronts.  But what are the signs of hope?  Where should we be putting our precious time and resources?

This summer I’m catching up on my reading, and some things seem clearly needed, if indeed civilization is going to continue.  Here they are, in no particular order:

1.  Divorce money from politics.  This probably won’t happen unless we move toward a multiparty system, and probably electoral reforms such as preferential voting, proportional representation, public financing etc.  Many of the other 9 items will not happen until those with a vested interest in the current regime are disempowered by this change.

2. Dismantle Christian Zionism.  Some believe up to 70% of all political violence in the world is related to the Israel-Palestine conflict.  The US enables Israel’s daily humiliation of the Palestinians and nuclear monopoly in the Middle East.   Much of this blind support is due to Christian Zionists.  We must hold Israel to the same moral standards as all countries.  Palestinians who are working for justice through just means must be supported.

3.  Discover alternative energy.  We must stop burning coal.  Solar, wind and other non-fossil fuel ways of generating electricity must become dominant.  See this website:  350.org.  New energy is is also where the new jobs are.

4.  Disassemble the American empire.  Close most of the overseas bases.  They are inefficient, redundant and simply ridiculous.

5. Downsize the Military-Industrial Complex.  End the wars now!  Cut in half US military spending.  End all new weapons programs in their tracks.  Fund transitional programs to reintegrate military personnel into the civilian economy.  Turn the defense industries into ones that have a holistic definition of security.

6.  If a corporation is “too big to fail”, it is too big to exist.  Re-energize anti-trust legislation.  Regulate Wall Street to save main street.  Oh, how about have the rich and corporations pay their fair share of taxes?  That could take care of the deficit.

7.  Quadruple humanitarian and economic aid to other countries, especially in empowering programs like microfinance.  Cancel the debt of most developing countries.

8.  Put down those flags!  Begin to think globally, especially you Christians who claim to follow the Lord of the universe.  Nationalism is so 20th century.

9. Let your dollars speak:  buy fair trade, buy local; don’t buy at all when possible.  Start saving more.  Reduce debt.

10. Discover your spirit, and the Spirit.  See all persons as children of God, even the ones with a different color, language and religion.  Turn off the media, go offline and put more time into people and listening to the Still Small Voice.  Then you’ll be able to make your own list that’s better than mine!