The discussion on voting is facinating to me, however. I don’t vote, personally, but I would not tell anyone else not to vote. I don’t think it is inherently violent or anything else, unless one takes it into a category of obsession.

In my opinion, the voting system and the media participation with it is a simple distraction from real issues and real solutions. None of the candidates can give real solutions to the problems of poverty, race, inadequate wages, culture wars and prejudice. If anything, the year-long presidental race perpetuates the fears and hatreds that feed the flame of these evils.

The people do not choose the candidates, and all the candidates are from an elitist perspective– as is seen by the two presidental candidates voting for a very unpopular and expensive bailout.

It is foolish to think that voting can change anything. So why not put our energy into politcal activity that matters– helping children grow into postive people, and loving those who are in the greatest need? If we develop communities that aren’t dependent on the false political system, but displays the love of Jesus for those in need, that is a much more important political statement than marking a card and putting in a slot, only to be tallied up with millions of others.

Steve K

She notes the importance of inclusive planning from the beginning — a principle that Alterna (see TimN’s recent post) seems to embody very well.

Encouraging to see these reflections alongside the example of Alterna working to live them out.

Jason