What Can We Do?

At these sorts of gatherings (to discuss the Green New Deal, I mean) the question sometimes arises: What can we do at a personal level?

At least some of the panel members simply said: Why do it alone?  Join a group!

That's excellent idea; when you're swimming against the tide, or at least trying something that doesn't come easy, joining with a group of like-minded people has always worked for liberals (and it works for conservatives when they try it, more's the pity).  I think that should remain a major takeaway, and you don't need napkins with that.  (Just a joke--take away--napkins--get it? Phew.)

But there is one thing only you can do, and this is directed to young families with children.

The most difficult thing for this generation to do--not all of it, but many of them--is to hobnob with people outside their usual circle.  The Green New Deal is all about helping the underdogs, those who are most threatened by Warming, the concentration of wealth, the declining services that made life easier, and often just possible, the attacks on health care for the poor.  You can't help the disadvantaged if you aren't comfortable talking with them.  That's point number 1.  Just remember that.

Secondly, thinking about smart energy choices, one fact is unavoidable.  We must still get around, but personal transportation is too fuel expensive.  So obviously, Public Transport is definitely in our future, at least until mankind is extinct!  (Just kidding, again; that won't happen for dozens of years!  Haha!)

So, my thinking is, one thing each family can do, is to take the bus, or public transportation of any kind, with the kids, at least occasionally.  Of course, some young people will say, ew ew ew, there's going to be, like, people in the bus.  Just grin at them, kids.  Scary grins are fine; you get plenty of practice on the school bus, right?  Show them your teeth!  No, seriously: be nice; give up your seat to elderly people; smile warmly at the kids.  (Other people's kids are free entertainment that Nature has provided.  For me, that is; for religious people, God provides that sort of thing.)

Community clean-ups are another fantastic opportunity to join with neighbors, especially for the kids.  They might be the same old kids that come to school, but for some of us, whose kids go to private schools, this is a chance for them to meet regular, non-private-school kids.  I was about seventeen before I met regular kids on their own turf, and it was a very positive experience.

So, there you are.  It might be a difficult first step for some of my readers, but social involvement can't be done by remote control.  If it is uncomfortable, start small.

This could be easily one of the most practical bits of advice I have given on this Blog, so I really hope anyone who reads it takes it seriously, and refers it to their friends and neighbors.  Or rewrite it your way, and re-blog it; spread the word any way you like.

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