Greetings from
The Publisher . . .
Shining the Light on New Options and Changing the World in about 18 SecondsWelcome to a new day.
Did you see the Larry King Show that featured Michael Beckwith, Bob Proctor, John Assaraf, John Demartini and JZ Knight?
With the exception of JZ, all appeared in the DVD, The Secret.
King introduced the program by saying: “Positive thoughts can transform, can attract the good things you want. Sound far-fetched? Think again. It's supported by science.” Those on the program pointed King away from the idea that it was strictly a matter of positive thinking. They talked about the law of attraction, spirit and God, falling in love with our selves, and asking ourselves the right questions. There was a lot more. It was a good program. The transcript is online at http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0611/02/lkl.01.html. Just google Michael Beckwith + Larry King to find it quickly.
The good news-bad news is that on our delivery day, Jan. 31, Oprah was scheduled to feature The Secret also. While it's too late to give you notice, it's great seeing the idea that awareness and our thinking affects our lives get such coverage. Obviously, the secret's out.
Did you notice the timing of the King program? It aired November 2. The underlying theme was that we do have some control in how our lives turn out. Instead of being victims without choices, our thinking—combined with our participation—makes a difference in our life. A few days later we voted to change a government that has left more than a few of us feeling like victims of circumstance.
Since then there has been a curious mixture of government graduate programs and a healthy au contraire, it-isn't-necessarily-so attitude present in Washington. Beyond that, there are trends that are even more encouraging.
Those who think change means doing the same thing continue the pattern I think of as the government's graduate-program—it's their MS program.
While most Americans are pointing in the opposite direction, the Administration is saying, “Oh, we just need to do the same thing, we just need to do it more.” That's a PH.D. program. Piling it higher and deeper. Sending more troops. Thankfully, most of us are saying it's time to notice that this pile stinks.
Need affordable health care?
Oh, that means we need to make sure everybody has health insurance, is their response. The “new” health care proposal is MS.
Fixing health care needs to address the fundamental challenge that insurance companies add 25-40% to the cost of health care. Even if insurance could provide universal health care, do we want to lock in that much overhead?
Did you hear that by the Administration's own estimate, their tax-break health policy would insure almost 3 million of the 47 million currently uninsured? That's stepping out there. And it doesn't take into account companies who might stop providing health care coverage, which their proposal might encourage.
On the other hand we have the new majority who are picking and choosing their priorities, rather than being in reaction to or simply trying to stall the Administration's agenda. They may not have the votes to pass their perfect agenda, but certainly the majority of us felt/voted that it was time to shift from a one-sided approach of governing and start looking at our options.
Even the topics addressed in the State of the Union address were telling. What was not mentioned was stem cell research, abortion and same-sex marriages.
Unfortunately, New Orleans was also left out. That would seem to be the one place we could rebuild without fear our efforts would be blown up; and that it would be appreciated.
What was included was developing alternative fuels and the need for universal health care. Unfortunately, the prime energy focus, developing ethanol, is also a graduate program. It works in some countries, but it producing ethanol just isn't as energy efficient as many other options. It's the same approach that provided some help to with drug costs to seniors, but really made corporations the big winners. Ethanol is the same. It's a little better for most of us and really great for the benefiting corporations. This is typical, defining pattern of this Administration. It's MS and Ph.D.
Thankfully other options will be explored. The Administration opened the door and said these issues were important. Be careful what you ask for, huh?
Congress will now be exploring options. What would really be impressive is if they ensured Habeas Corpus; and realized that it is Congress that declares war and it is Congress that funds war—so it's not even supposed to be just about what the Commander-in-Chief wants.
What may be the most encouraging is the direction power is flowing now. Many “presidential” Democrats seem to have their noses very deep in the polls now, listening to people. At least that's better than politicians with their noses in the air that don't notice or care.
While the Administration seems to be reacting more to the country's mood—at least with energy and health care—the opposition party seems more confident and ready to push in the direction of alternatives and practical programs, there is another group way ahead of them.
There's a group that is even closer to us and more in touch with the mood of “we people” than either group at the top. It's the nation's mayors.
Not waiting for “the leadership,” they recently convened in DC and talked about programs that could cut emissions 80 percent by 2050. They called for $4 billion in an Energy and Environmental Block Grant to help cities combat global warming. The grant would provide funding directly to cities for programs to improve community energy efficiency; reduce carbon emissions; and decrease the nation's dependence on foreign oil.
Many are already dealing with it.
Governments seem to be listening more these days.
Lawrence Bender, Oscar-nominated producer of “An Inconvenient Truth”, offered one proposal we will hear more about.
He is promoting compact florescent lights (Cols) as a means to reduce pollution while empowering people to see that they can make a difference. If 300 million people each changed one light bulb to a CFL, we would save 8 billion in energy bills, not use 31 billion pounds of coal, and take the equivalent of 2 million cars on the road. Most homes average 40 sockets for light bulbs, so the potential is there for an even greater change. Surprisingly, the average US home produces twice as much greenhouse gas as the average car.
Bender now has celebrities making PSAs and will launch his CFL campaign Feb. 22. He has most major retailers, such as Wal-Mart, posting sales of CFLs at www. 18seconds.org so people can see how their city and State rate nationally in CFL sales. California is now 28 th and Arizona 35 th . With all those lights, Nevada is 22 nd !
He asked the mayors to see how their cities were doing online and encouraged some friendly competition—with important consequences.
How much time does it take to change the world? he asked. About 18 seconds, the time it takes to change a light bulb.
Whether it's our life, the country, or a simple bulb, it's interesting what shining a different light on our life and world can mean.
So en-lighten up, and have a great month,
Steve
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