-=> Quoting Karolina Stutzman to Jim Casto <=-
 KS> To me the "how" is the denial of personal accountability of the 
 KS> "why's" of our choices.  By refusing to look at "why" we are
 KS> buying into the "American dream", we can blame the end result
 KS> on "them", not "me".  It really works quite well for everyone
 KS> concerned.  Even for those that perceive themselves as not being 
 KS> a part of the "dream" and want to be.  They refuse to look at 
 KS> "why's" of their choices also and prefer to blame "them". (g)
 
 As long as they had a choice.
 
 KS> The VALUE that I see as missing is the value of self.  A married
 KS> woman who values herself knows that she is a contributing member of
 KS> society even though she doesn't work "outside" of the home, and
 KS> appreciates herself.  A married man whose wife "works" at home 
 KS> values himself if he knows that he is a contributing member of 
 KS> society even though his paycheck alone does not buy all the things
 KS> his "average Joe" neighbor has, and appreciates himself.  
 
 You have just described my wife and I.  My wife has never worked outside
 the home at a paying occupation. She does work "inside" the home for her
 family and "outside" the home for her community. And she wouldn't trade 
 places with ANY "career woman" JUST so we can buy a new car.  
 
 KS> Community is made up of families, and families of individuals.  If
 KS> the individuals make poor decisions and aren't willing to be
 KS> accountable or even see their accountability, it breeds more of
 KS> the same.
 
 Yes.
 
 JC> The "mainstream culture" of America is VERY conservative when it comes
 JC> to "change". 
 KS> It *is* difficult to find time for that when we are busy being
 KS> "upwardly mobile".  One must be able to acknowledge the "why" of
 KS> our choices before one can make a choice about changing.
 
 Actually, I was thinking more of being "stubborn" to change. Like the metric
 system. Death with dignity. Year-round schools. One time zone for the whole
 country. There are some countries that are a LOT more "progressive" in some
 areas than the U.S.
 Re: the metric system
 
 KS> How long would it take to get used to it?  A couple of weeks
 KS> perhaps?
 
 Probably.
 KS> change.  If we can't look at an issue inside us, we can't see its
 KS> parallel outside of us either.
 
 I guess I went about it the other way. Taking American History classes and
 Anthropology classes in college kinda sorta "rearranged" some of my 
hinking.
  
 
 Jim
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