When I was a kid, I wanted to save the world.

[Cyrano]

After a while, I realized I couldn't do that, so I decided that I would save only the part of the world into which I personally came into contact.

It took a while longer to realize I couldn't even do that. So I eventually settled for just saving myself. And guess what? Even that seemed impossible short of my finding some mythical "Shangri La" monastery hidden in the Himalayas.

So what's my point? Let's stop looking for a savior in any politician who promises us "salvation," "paradise," or some type of "perfect society." They're interested in only one thing. Getting elected. And yes, there is the occasional politician who has accomplished great things for us. FDR comes to mind.

I know that "free advice" is worth what you pay for it, nonetheless ...

How about if we all fall out of love and into reality. We have two candidates. Which one can bring about a better world? Beats me. But here's my plea. Combine the best combination of the your head and your heart, and let's find a way to pick a winner. And let's stop cannibalizing each other here on the threads of DU. We aren't the enemy.

[gateley]

1. Mother Teresa said

If you can't feed a hundred mouths, feed one.

[MADem]

2. Yeah, but DU said, "If you don't support MY candidate, FUCK you!!!"

:rofl:

[gateley]

10. One fuck at a time.... nt

[HERVEPA]

4. and discouraged birth control so there'd be another 100 hungry ones

[gateley]

11. Yes. So impressed you understand the point of my post. Thank you for your

invaluable response.

[liberal N proud]

3. You still can save the world. From the republicon war machine.

We need to kick the republicon machine out of power completely. Your vote along with every other Democrat may be credited with saving the world from the republicon's.

[Angela Shelley]

5. Why worry about saving the world? ... Make your bed first.

[Warpy]

6. I still want to save the world and I actually did find Shangri La

I'm saving the world one poor person at a time through Kiva loans. These are person to person microloans to people in the third world. They pay 16% interest. That seems steep until you realize a bank would charge them a minimum of 35% interest and the local loan sharks about 60%. All the people I have lent to are paying back and some of them have paid it all back. I have been relending the money to other poor people around the world, saving it one person at a time. http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&pageID=5

My inheritance has a transfer on death agreement that will send it all to Doctors without Borders, still saving the world, one poor and sick person at a time.

Shangri La was a little different. I started doing deep meditation when I was a kid in serious pain that adults told me no kid ever had. It turned out to be rheumatoid arthritis, not something I manufactured in my head. What a surprise. However, at the deepest stage when I'm completely in the present moment, my mind watching itself in a very detached manner, I have found Shangri La. That's where it exists. It's a state of mind, not a place.

I developed the means and ability to do both the dreams of my youth, to change the world and to find a perfect place to retreat to. It just didn't happen the way I thought it would when I was sixteen.

[Angela Shelley]

8. WooHoo Warpy, that´s a great post.

Thanks for the link.

[Cyrano]

12. Great post, Warpy.

And I too have learned of the magnificence of "Doctors Without Borders."

May all that is good come to you.

[Journeyman]

16. Exceptional post. . .

appreciate the link -- I look forward to learning more about Kiva.

[Radical Activist]

7. No one person can solve our problems.

That's one part of Obama's message that I appreciate. Clinton tells us that she has the experience and expertise to solve all of our problems. Obama says he can't do it alone and that each of us has to act individually. They're two very different perspectives.

[0007]

15. How true!

[Uncle Joe]

9. Now with the Internet, you are personally in contact with the world.

:)

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

13. When I was a kid, I was confused about the world. When I grew a bit older,...

,...I just wanted to contribute something positive, no matter how small, to make the world a wee bit better.

I'd be surprised if all but a very few are looking for a "savior" (and, in spite of the attention they get, the desperation of those poor people being manipulated by a literal handful of religious or political extremists of whatever variety are the vulnerable whom we should embrace despite their weakness).

I believe people seek someone with integrity and with a belief,...in US.

There has been an unspoken message to the American people that they are too stupid or unsophisticated or ignorant to guide their own destiny. Hence, the people have been bombarded with bullshit,...and they know it even if confused about what part of the bombing is a cast of lies.

All they want is to be given a reason to believe in themselves and this nation. That is more than enough after being ruled by fear for years.

[stillcool]

14. To me the personal and the politcal

intersect at reality. I'm not looking for a savior, I'm looking for someone who understands the ills of our society. I don't expect miracles, but I would really like to stop spreading the disease.