Sustainable Good

Iran, Democracy and Development

The recent election dispute in Iran and the seemingly likely vote-rigging in that election make me realize again how important free and fair elections are. While I try to respect other forms of government different from democracy and recognize that there are benefits and drawbacks in every form of government, I truly believe in the power of participation. I believe that every person has the right to participate in their government. This right should be protected by the government and it should be treasured by the people. And it is essential to development.

Change comes from sustainable and unchanging values

My husband and I went to the inauguration concert yesterday. Despite the cold -- we were warm and toasty due to the approximately 400,000 bodies surrounding us.

Other than the inauguration tomorrow -- this might be the most historic event Jeff and I will ever go to. Memories of the March on Washington were conjured up and I can't help feeling as though I was part of something just as important -- especially when Barack Obama mentioned that despite the foundational memorials to Washington, Lincoln, and Roosevelt surrounding us on all sides, that the most crucial to the change we wish to seek now was what filled the spaces in between.  Us. Me and all the people we were snuggled up with on either side of the reflecting pool.

It's times like these that make me sentimental.  I can't help but think of my own grandparents and great grandparents -- people born in poverty -- as farmers, sharecroppers in Alabama.  They certainly were not perfect, born in their time and place, they were embedded in racism.  And now their granddaughter or great granddaughter-- who has never lacked for money -- is celebrating the first black president of the United States. 

Despite all the fundamental differences I have with my ancestors, I am a product of of them as well.  They are the ones that helped shape my deep sense of connectivity with humanity and the earth.  They are the ones that taught my parents to love me and raise me in a way that is open to different ideas and worldviews. 

Yes, much has changed -- but change embedded in the unchanging ideas of love, respect, and as Rod Downing so aptly expresses, openness to possibilities.  I can't think of a better case for sustainable good in our world.

fashion expertise from sustainable good

I was listening to NPR the other day and there was a show that featured a panel on Michelle Obama's fashion and style.  Fashion experts and historians were talking about the many critics of the Michelle's choice of election night attire (the cardigan was apparently a disaster!) and the fact that she steers away from the pantsuits that Hillary Clinton made famous.  Every once in a while these talking heads claimed that they weren't just chatting about fluff -- that talking about what Michelle wears has consequences, determines the direction of the nation in some ways.  

Community-Organizer-In-Chief!

I have hesitated to say much about the elections, for fear of making Outreach International look like a partisan organization. And today I realized something...Barack is our president (elect) now and there is nothing partisan about loving your president!

There are so many things to be excited about this election, so I am just going to mention a couple, and I want to hear what you are excited about in the comments section. I am excited that we have elected the first African American as president! I am excited that we have elected a man that lived in Indonesia for a few years during his childhood! I am excited that we have elected someone who knows the constitution!

And most of all, I am excited that this was the most participatory election in my lifetime! I am excited that WE elected him. We elected a community organizer--someone that knows that if anything is going to change in this country we are all going to have to be involved. And he got us involved. He mobilized the masses. And now we have to continue to mobilize him.

It's just an election -- what could happen?

Today is a big day.  Lines of people are weaving in an out of polling places.  "I voted" stickers are the newest fashion accessory of the day.  Radio stations, news channels, and blogs are all talking about the election non-stop.  Websites like www.fivethirtyeight.com obsessively count and recount the polls and are predicting the winners of the various campaigns throughout the country. This is a pretty big deal (understatement of the year.)  

I was watching the Daily Show the other night and Bill Kristol, conservative op-ed writer for the New York Times, muttered (jokingly?) “It’s just an election”.  Jon Stewart looked flabbergasted and replied, “Yeah, it’s just an election, what could happen?”  Truth is, the person in the White House for the next four years will have a lot of power. And yes Bill Kristol, a lot can happen.

Which Presidential Candidate will Work to End Global Poverty?

Still undecided on the eve of this momentous occasion? Well we can't tell you who to vote for, but you can check out this great comparision that One Vote did that hightlights their positions on poverty-related issues.

So far I have been hesitant to blog about the presidential elections for fear of seeming biased. But I do think that there is something that everyone should realize before they vote tomorrow--the enormous possibilities and risks of the elections.

If you look at the comparisons, you will notice that both candidates are saying pretty lofty things about fighting malaria, HIV, TB; providing primary education for every child; ending hunger; and more. Because of these strong stances, there is tremendous opportunity for true progress in ending extreme global poverty. However, recent comments by both candidates also point to the risk that virtually no progress will be made by either candidate. John McCain has said repeatedly that he would institute a one-year spending freeze. And Barack Obama said that due to the global economic problems, he will have to delay his proposed doubling of foreign assistance.