Notes from Underground

[H2O Man]

{1} “The soul is healed by being with children.” --Fyodor Dostoevsky; The Idiot

Sometimes I come up with a “mental outline” before posting something on this forum. This is one of those times when I'm simply trying to put a few thoughts in order – in this case in response to a few threads that I've found interesting this evening – and so the points I am going to attempt to make may be a bit scattered. (I'm also very tired, as a result of the on-going physical troubles that accompany old age. So, please bear with me.)

I took pleasure in reading some discussions on what people would have on their own political/social discussion forum, and on “male vs female” issues. There are, of course, a number of equally important and interesting discussions on other topics; however, these caught my attention. For some reason – perhaps mental fatigue – they reminded me of many years ago, when I was an teenager, angry with injustices large and small, and my friend Rubin encouraged me to read Dostoevsky.

People here are no doubt familiar with his writings. He lived in a time when his country faced serious political and social disturbances. Dostoevsky dissected those issues by exploring human nature that placed him as among the founders of existentialism. Perhaps the best example of this was his 1864 “Notes from Underground,” which expressed the views of an unnamed “underground man.” Seems appropriate for discussion on the Democratic Underground, I think.

Who are the ultimate victims of the political, economic, and social disturbances today? What group ultimately suffers the most from the injustices, large and small, and the hatred, stupidity, and greed that infects our society? I believe that it is children and youth.

Those same issues that impact us all, to various degrees, impact children Clearly, this is not limited to those in the United States: the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq has taken a brutal toll on children and youth in those countries. The controversy about immigration from the southern boarder involves children and youth from Mexico and other nations. We have hate-mongers demanding that the US Constitution be changed to enforce their sick passion to deny a class of children citizenship.


{2} “Life doesn't count for much unless you're willing to do your small part to leave our children – all of our children – a better world. Even if it's difficult. Even if the work seems great. Even if we don't get very far in our lifetime.” – Barack Obama

I remember when then-Senator Barack Obama said this, in June 15, 2008 speech. I believe that it is a principle that is held by most democrats. There are also non-democrats who hold to this same principle, although it is undeniable that the “republican leadership” that only certain children deserve privileges, rights and protections.

All children in this nation should enjoy the right to a safe home, food to eat, health care, and quality education. But we are not there yet – and while progress may be advancing in health care (at least in theory), the country is going in the opposite direction in other areas. We've witnessed an environmental crisis this year, which is but one example of the damage that is done by the “energy wars”.....those poisons, like those that result from “frack drilling,” will take a toll on the young people exposed to the contamination early in life.

The cuts in funding for education do damage to all children and youth who attend public schools and colleges. When a parent loses their job, and when a family loses their home, it takes a toll on children and youth. When there is an atmosphere that exposes the public to racial and ethnic hatred, to religious intolerance, to the denial of human rights due to sexual preference, it takes a toll on children and youth.

More, when there is an on-going conflict between the sexes, children and youth pay the heaviest price. The most obvious example of this involves individual families with domestic violence; this includes any and all violence within the household. And it spreads from there. It damages boys and girls, men and women. It damages all of society.

These are issues that I enjoy reading and discussing on this forum. I try to keep an open mind: there are advantages to using one's personal experience as a foundation for opinion, yet there is always the potential for that to limit one's outlook. I see some evidence of both on the discussions here.

Peace,
H2O Man

[peacetalksforall]

1. Bravo! And we can't forget that it is our obligation to create the environment

so that those children can realize their potential for creativity and thought and breakthroughs. And if one of the breakthroughs is to get people to wake up - to know and accept that we are in the process of being totally controlled and if they can show the people that greed, killing, and the control and ownership of others and the earth resources is not what we were born to do, we can have hope.

Children everywhere - bless them now for their ideas and breakthroughs. Grown children also. The sooner the better.

This species was not born for the barons.

Thank you. Thank you.

[H2O Man]

3. My older daughter

is entering the 11th grade. She attends a school in rural, upstate NY. She's done extremely well, and as a parent, I'm more than satisfied with the staff -- especially the teachers. But budget pressures are impacting the school in a negative way.

Last week, on a ride to soccer practice, my daughter was telling me about her concerns. These included things ranging from cuts in staff, to some of her friends that come from homes that cannot afford all of the materials listed as "required" in a recent letter from the school. I was agreeing with her analysis of the problems, when she asked, "Then what can you do about it, Dad?"

I told her that a group of teachers had approached me this summer, to request that I run for a seat on the school board. In a sense, that sounds like a small thing. But it's the type of small thing that more liberal/progressive democrats need to be doing.

Yesterday, I had the chance to talk to a couple of parents from the school district (one is the principal in a neighboring district). Both noted that kids are losing the opportunities they need and deserve in the educational system.

I'm one of many DUers who express a lack of satisfaction with many of the democrats in office in Washington, DC. Yet I recognize that they are, for the most part, far better than republicans when it comes to the topic of public education. I also try to balance my views by keeping in mind my daughter's question -- what am I doing to improve things?

[mmonk]

9. Are you going to take those teachers up on their suggestion?

[H2O Man]

12. I think so.

As long as my health holds up, yes. It'll be the first step. From there, I'll try to win a state representative office, then eventually try to make it to DC. My wife and children are pushing me to try.

[mmonk]

16. That's great.

You would be great.

[lisabeeen]

24. YESSSSSSSSSssssssssssssss!

AWESOME----this makes my day! well, much more than "my day"... gives me hope...
as usual, you are an inspiration and i am SO glad to hear you are moving in that direction...
:D

[H2O Man]

25. Well, thank you.

My wife & daughters have been telling me to run for office for some time now. In general, I've been more comfortable helping on other people's campaigns. I recognize that politics is a dirty sport, so I guess that I'm confident that I can compete quite well. (grin) Maybe it's time.

[shraby]

2. Children are one excellent reason a politician should never

put forth that welfare recipients should be housed in prisons and taught to work, hygiene, etc. like one notoriously said recently. If a child or children hear statements like that, how much permanent harm has been done without even doing the deed? As a child, that would be a terrifying thought.
Prominent people should consider what effect their statements will have on children who are too young to understand and to whom most of the world is still black and white.

[H2O Man]

4. "A Modest Proposal"

When I read what that thug said about how the poor should be housed in prisons, I was reminded of Jonathan Swifts's essay on the benefits of dining on Irish children.

[JNelson6563]

5. K&R

[H2O Man]

6. Thanks.

There's another interesting OP/thread on DU:GD today, about the legal issues involving a 14-year old girl charged with murder. I think the range of responses on the thread is fascinating. Of course, I also thought that this OP was interesting.

Strange times in the USA.

[bobbolink]

7. There are 2,400 homeless school children in my county.

Two. Thousand. Four. Hundred.

And growing.

That doesn't count infants and pre-schoolers. It is an accurate number because of the records kept.

That is ONE COUNTY. ONE STATE.

I have come to accept that my fellow citizens won't be concerned about we adults who are homeless.

But when there is no concern for the children who have no place to call "home", then we are officially SICK.

[H2O Man]

8. In the past week,

my wife and I have been working towards opening our home to a 13-year old who is living in a terribly violent home. The girl is definitely "at risk" for having serious problems in school and in the community. She's already had more than her share of problems in a couple schools. Bright kid with real potential -- she'll either do really good or really bad.

We took her on vacation with us for four days. We visited one of my aunts and uncles. I have the utmost respect for my uncle; he was one of the top investigators in the country for decades, and is now a judge. We talked about this little girl. He said that we may be giving her the best chance she'll get in her life, and although it may involve some difficulties, there is nothing more important than helping a kid in need.

Thank you for responding to this OP/thread. Much appreciated. It's a topic that is on my mind a lot these days. My son got hired today to work with "troubled youth" .... and I get thinking about my old jobs. I'm frustrated that I'm retired now, and physically not able to do the work I used to do. But I'll keep doing what I can.

[bobbolink]

15. And thank you for doing what you can.

The problem is that this country is NOT doing what IT can.

Charity will never solve anything. Thats what we've been relying on for 40 years now concerning homelessness, and it is time to recognize the failure of charity.

While I applaud what you are doing, there are many more who need the same thing, and there is nobody for them. That is WRONG.

ps... if you can without treading on sensitive privacy, let us know how it goes with this young girl. My thoughts are with her!

[Ignis]

10. K&R

If the Republicans are the "I got mine; screw the children" party, I would expect our own party to be a strong voice against that sentiment and for leaving the world a better place than we left it. But increasingly, it seems that both parties are more worried about short-term political gains than long-term investments in America's future: Our children.

You can't throw money at every problem, but there are definitely two areas where that approach has been discarded before it has ever been tried: Education and the Environment. Without adequate funding in these areas, we are robbing our children and our grandchildren of the foundation for the future.

[H2O Man]

13. Right.

Well said. Very well said, indeed.

When I hear republicans say that you can't just throw money at certain problems, I always want to say that you have to have a good approach for using whatever money you have. Don't throw money away. But far too often, in terms of the social programs and schools, there is a lack of funding. And, in some cases, too much money being diverted, or invested in cushy offices for bureaucrats too far from the problems.

I've noted in a couple posts recently that I've been reading some books by republican "leaders." By no coincidence, they are all parroting the mantra that "environmentalists are dangerous." There are few areas where it is so easy to identify their moral bankruptcy. If the democratic leaders fail to highlight this issue, they will lose a lot of grass roots support at election time.

[Me.]

11. What Is Your Opinion Of Race To The Top?

[H2O Man]

14. Good question.

There are things that I like about it, and other things that concern me. Of course, I'm going on my admittedly limited understanding of it, based primarily on what I've read. I have friends who teach at levels from grade school to post-graduate, and I haven't had the opportunity to speak with them at length .... and I definitely respect their opinions .... but here's mine:

There have to be some reforms in our education system. Part of that is preparing people for employment opportunities, and so in this sense, education has to be tied to reform in our economic system. Thus, for children interested in, for example, the sciences, let's invest in education that can open the doors to new sources of energy that do not pose severe risks to the environment. That is distinct from chipping away a student's humanity, and fitting them into a BP or IBM suit.

At the same time, I have real concerns about some issues involving teacher evaluation. Clearly, there are some teachers who should not be in any classroom. And there are others with marginal abilities. Yet, from my experience, none of the good teachers are looking to protect them. But rigid standards of teacher evaluation pose a risk of confusing results, where teachers in difficult positions are mistaken for marginal or unqualified teachers.

[Me.]

22. Had A Discussion With The Teachers In The Family

And they're not crazy about it. Most teachers, so they say, have a genuine interest in helping student learn, but they are hamstrung in so many ways, a principle one being money, as so many are being squeezed. Not enough supplies, equipment etc. and their economic solvency is also on the line, salaries and pensions and so forth. They're being asked to take less of what was not very much to begin with. They also feel like they've become the punching bag for the ills of society as a whole and the petri dish for any person in power who has a 'theory'. And then making schools compete against each other when they all need money only breeds resentment. It is like a wreaking ball is being applied to our educational system and the contractor in charge of rebuilding is not as smart as he thinks he is. None of them have much confidence in people like Duncan or Klein in NYC.

[Bluerthanblue]

17. k&R

Thanks H20 Man, you always make me stop and think.

The claim that so many people make about burdening our children with 'debt' just doesn't ring true to me. Our children deserve to live and grow in a society that values community at least as much as 'self'. All the "I want my's" and "I deserve" and "MY rights" ranting doesn't leave much room for the greater 'We'.

:grouphug:

[bobbolink]

18. Very well said! I am currently reading a book on psychologies of liberation,

and it is validating everything I have said about our whole sick "rugged individualism".

It is a great book, and I wish we could have a book study on it!

Thanks for your valuable insight! :yourock:

[HCE SuiGeneris]

19. Can you share the book's title?

Pretty please?

Oh, and K&R for another outstanding opinion piece, H2OMan!

[bobbolink]

20. I'd be happy to.. thanks for asking!

Toward Psychologies Of Liberation,authors Mary Watkins, Helene Shulman

http://www.amazon.com/Toward-Psychologies-Liberation-Mary-Watkins/dp/0230537685

I'm just up to page 10, and feeling totally vindicated. Would be a great group study.

[bobbolink]

21. ps... I think this is related in focus...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9020544

[HCE SuiGeneris]

23. Thank you for both of the replies.

:fistbump: