You Are Free by Mates of State

Stop telling me the right way to go
I'm on my own
You're selling our old ways
Stop telling me the right way to go

You are free
You are free
Living things need to be free
You are free
Like everything wants to be

"You Are Free" by Mates of State

I heard a funny joke by a Daily Show corrispondant John Oliver talking about how in America he saw in the store window a floating grill.  It was a grill with foam or whatever to keep it floating so you could grill WHILE you are swimming.  He said, "If that isnt the epitome of freedom, I dont know what is. You are free if you can grill while swimming"
He has a pretty funny view of Americans and American values (very left wing) but undeniable even to right wingers in Comedy Central special called "Terrifying Times" It's pretty funny if you have the time.

That stand up routine and then Mates of State coming up on my iPod as well as the meeting of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom meeting I attended this weekend made me think about consumerism and how good we Americans are at it.  Its amazing the amount of junk we can consume. It really is the epitome of freedom.  John Oliver also said, "Can Americans make the floating grill? Yes. Will Americans buy the floating grill? Yes.  Can China make the floating grill? Yes.  Will China buy the floating grill? NO." We as consumers are the only people who can change our current economic state, change politics and really be free.  Free from the junk and ideas that we NEED things.  Just because we can doesn't mean we should!

Challenge #1: Do not buy something new if the old still works.  i.e. I just said the other day, "I should get some new kitchen garbage bins." Why? "They are old and kinda smell" Really?? Wash them Andrea.  they are fine. 

Challenge #2: Buy local.  Not just in your neighborhood cause lots of times even that stuff is imported.  Really buy local, it might cost a buck or two more but if everyone did that our local economy would be stimulated and everyone would win.  And, we could rely less on imports and in turn rely LESS ON GOVERNMENT.  Personally, I dont want to ever get to the point that everything in my life is affected by the man.  I'll spend the extra $0.30 on the lettuce to try to move toward that. 

Challenge #3: Do something that makes you uncomfortable every day.  Being uncomfortable leads to growth.  And everyone can afford to keep growing.

"You Are Free" by Mates of State via YouTube

(Not the best recording but still good)