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Progressive Values Stories: Kimon Kotos on Caring
Linked to groups: Empathy Cafe
Are you not ashamed of caring so much for the making of money and for fame and prestige, when you neither think nor care about wisdom and truth and the improvement of your soul?” Socrates
From my 100 or so video interviews of people to date, I find the progressive value with the greatest emotional impact is caring. People will often become emotional and tear up when recounting stories about caring, having been cared for, or how they offered care to others. I find it is one of the most overlooked values mentioned by progressive leaders and politicians. I interviewed Kimon Kotos in Los Angeles. He talked about the different ways caring manifests itself.
From caring comes courage. Lao Tzu
Kimon Kotos: I’m from Muskegon, Michigan. The Democratic Congressional candidate for the Second District in Western Michigan, which includes 11 counties along Lake Michigan due west of Grand Rapids and Traver City, a highly Republican district historically.
I think progressive values are about caring about people, trying to make a difference and find solutions. Progressive in my mind means trying to advance the agenda, and as a Democrat I believe we can actually make the world a better place to live, rather than in terms of the status quo, because I think that type of thinking leads to more fear and a reluctance to make change. But we need to evolve and change to deal with the needs that people have.
Our own personal life experiences are changing. I’ve been a musician, a painter, an organic farmer. I’ve evolved in my life in terms of my pursuits and goals, and I’m always looking for ways to find connection with people. So as a progressive I think there’s a lot of practical things progressives should be about, the kind of difference they can make, in which the government plays an important in providing that service and also making it possible for people to work together. So government should be something that supports people rather than creates obstacles.
Caring manifests itself in a lot of ways and we often traditionally think of caring in terms of institutional – as in education, health care, public safety issues, national security issues. I feel as a progressive we can do that in a way that is supportive of people thinking there’s a future ahead of them, whereas in the past in the Teddy Roosevelt area it was breaking the dominance of industry.
Well, we’ve come back full cycle now. We need to make sure now that the individual isn’t being left behind in terms of the interests of the corporate bottom line. And that’s something that I see in the community where I’ve moved to, and also I’ve seen in working on national campaigns and working in other states.
In California, I see a very progressive state. I lived here for 35 years, so I’ve been inculcated with a lot of progressive outlook. But I see around the country, whether it’s seniors or farmers or students or health care social service people, there’s a desire to really be there for people and respond to their needs. And I consider that a progressive value, and increasingly, people are feeling worried or reluctant that they don’t have the resources or means, and that demand overwhelms them. Or that the government has created obstacles to deliver that service.
A Caring Story? First with my mother and father and older brothers. There was a sense you have a role and purpose in life, in being responsible to care about the world around you, rather than just yourself. Then in my life experience as a musician, it’s about coordinating and bringing people together, bringing joy and trying to reach and touch people.
One of the earliest experiences in politics was when I was 11. My brother’s Latin teacher ran for state house in Michigan, and I respected him as an intelligent person, and I started going door-to-door, and started finding people in my community, and there was a comfort and knowledge that I was part of that community. I had a paper route earlier that year, so I had things that I was responsible for, but as I got to know more people, I felt the comfort of feeling to be free to move in my community, I learned so much from people in a number of generations.
And in the campaigns I’ve worked on since, particularly in the last 12 years, that’s opened my mind and heart to that there are more and more people who really want to connect and appreciate one another. I’ve spent time working in community volunteer groups and community based organizations to revitalize Los Angeles in terms of community job training projects. I was a painting contractor over 30 years. I worked with the transformation of taking things that are old and damaged and making them new again. There’s a joy in that sense of accomplishment, so that is part of the process of what kind of difference can I make in terms of my mind and spirit, working together to do something good for somebody. This is very rewarding.
I think it’s a kind of transformation of an idea into a form and then that form evolves into a spiritual awakening. And so you have a desire to make a difference to motivate yourself to do something. Then you make contact with people, and the return is that you see something transform or change in life that is inclusive of other people. So it’s not just for yourself. It’s so you make a better world so that people really enjoy each other and enjoy where they live. Because in a very cynical world we are very much in need of that type of transformation.
America's health care system is neither healthy, caring, nor a system. Walter Cronkite
Caring Definition
- a loving feeling
- showing a care (Example: "A caring mother")
- feeling and exhibiting concern and empathy for others (Example: "Caring friends")
- having or displaying warmth or affection (Example: "Caring parents")
http://onelook.com/?w=caring
General Questions:
- What questions would you ask to gain more insights into the nature of caring?
- What are your insights and stories about caring?
- How important is caring to you?
- What is personally the most important progressive value to you?
- Do you have a personal story or anecdote of how you learned some insight into this value?
- How does this progressive value of caring differ from conservative values?
More Progressive Values Stories:
Edwin Rutsch
What Are Progressive Values? Documentary Project
http://ProgressiveSpirit.com
and Study Group
Bill Clinton thinks younger voters (hey, I'm 47 so according to him I'm young) are being duped by Barack.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/4...
Re impeachment, Joan andTom both seem to feel it would be a negative for the Dems--something about being politically pragmatic.
Tom cites the Republican impeachment of Clinton, which came within a dozen or so votes of conviction. He also suggests that the pugs lost politically over it.
Not so I noticed. They retained control of Congress (upping their majority) and held on to the WH.
Some Loss!
As I've pointed out before, we hanged a lot of Germans and Japanese for the same crimes that Cheney-Bush and their despicable cohorts have committed in our names.
As such, the Democrats are obliged under the Constitution to Impeach--even if they can't convict.
They'd gain politically, for doing the right thing.
6:57pm
Today, all day, the Democrats have been speaking on the matter in the Senate. The Republicans have filibusters 65 times in this Congress, yet nobody seems to be paying attention, especially corporate media.
And true to form, the Dems have been refusing to filibuster--on FISA, Mukasey, and most importantly funding of the Iraq occupation.
41 votes would end the war, and ensure a Democratic electoral victory.
They're complicit cowards
6:58pm
Hi,
Drove three days nonstop except for gas to get to New Orleans, then after four days there, drove three days nonstop to return home. Listened to Buffy St. Marie's "The Universal Soldier". It felt like the same atmosphere as during the Vietnam War. War doesn't create peace: it can't.
An interesting look at this country via the Interstates. Really appalling: homogeneous strip malls with the same stores, concrete everywhere, sprawl, crowded lanes, high speed. I know where the idea of Cyborg came from. Every sense we have is assaulted: noise, visual ugliness, speed, metal, lack of contact and touch, will we continue this way? Truly, I can't tell you how awful it was, all the way from Colorado Springs to New Orleans. Sheer ugliness, volume, noise, nothing sentient, beautiful, aesthetic, or appealing to what might be called the spiritual. It's been ten years since we took such a trip, and the commercial civilization seems to have spread like a cancer or volcanic eruption of concrete, machines, and speed.
In the latest Newsweek there's a Jonathan Wolfe article on Obama's foreign experience. He always looks for common ground, seeks to find the common values, believes that humans can reach accord. His mindset is so advanced. Hillary and McCain frankly look more antique than LBJ or JFK. They don't have a clue. They are back, in my opinion, in the McCarthy Cold War era.
The article notes that Obama would be elected in a heartbeat in Europe. I do have some hope that there are enough of us who can see the differences and know what we need.
Tue, 04/15/08
it just doesn't make sense to me to bring up impeachment until you have a strong body of evidence compiled.
I would suggest that you read Dennis Kucinich's articles of Impeachment of Cheney.
That's strong evidence
do we wanna play tuff, or smart?
I dont want us to "play" period.............
There's more than enough evidence to impeach
7pm
HuJo and Phil -- my response is on the back thread. ;)
Post at CDP Party line blog: http://blog.cadem.org/partyline/2008/04/...
I don't think Bill Clinton thinks that about Obama at all, he just claims he does and wishes he were right.
Here's the Newsweek article Pat is referring to:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/131750
Pat,
Hi, sorry about your trip. But we can relate to what you wrote about it. Two summers ago we made a return trip to the top of the Blue Ridge Parkway to Skyline where we have stayed before.
The Blue Ridge is still wonderful and beautiful because of its protections but the rest of the trip was appalling, nothing as it was just five years ago. It was just as you described, jammed interstates, so full of semis we couldn't see where we were driving. Returning, we got off the beaten path some and even that is disappointing these days with the new building right next door to the old.
Never again. Next trip, another cruise to nowhere.
Hi Joan,
It's good to hear from you. Yes, it was startling to realize what a major industry trucking is in this country. If we don't see the trucks, it's easy to ignore them. I think the fuel prices are going to make a huge difference. Frankly, Joan, when I drive the Interstate, I am cringing the whole time. It's not something I would do alone.
Thanks Mary vb for the URL for the Newsweek article.
I fell in Okalahoma City on the way there, and then on the way back we drove through West Texas and Southern New Mexico. The winds were about 50 miles an hour, and when we arrived home, I couldn't get out of the car, breathe without spasming. I've never felt pain like that in my life. I wonder what happens to people's lungs who live in those desert places.
So, after being prone, whining and puling (what a gift to not feel pain, and how lucky I've been in my life) for five days, I can now at least sit at my desk.
I enjoy your posts. It feels like a touchstone to the world of sanity in politics.
The other thing was that there was major highway expansion in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. What is it about our state and federal government that keeps on doing what is unsustainable? With fuel prices rising, trucking a major industry, the environment at a crisis point, and we are building more highways? Denial isn't a river in Egypt; it's the American way of life.
The Newsweek article Pat cites includes a lot of facts from Obama's own book, "Memories From My Father."
The doubts that some critics make about foreign are almost laughable when you ask a simple question when he is running against McSame: Consider the Alternative, which of course would be McSame.
Decent article though and worth a read.
do we wanna play tuff, or smart?
Wasn't it Howard that said we have to do both..something along the same lines?
****************************
We would not need to go for the indictment, just start the impeachment as a warning shot across the bow of the next prez, if for no other reason. And there are plenty of other reasons as Dennis has laid out.
Jonathon Turley HAS SAID that what is currently going on calls for impeachment. Two lawyers on Moyers basically said the same thing. Ås I understand it, starting the process means that you start the inquiry, not that you have all the evidence in a slam dunk, which we prolly have too.
that said s/b who said. Howard's a who, not a what. :-)
Off to watch Keith Olbermann. Maybe we will hear some common sense from him. His run-of-the-mill pundits are spin doctors who are truly experts at it.
I think Keith may have Joe Biden on the show. I consider Joe to be rather knowledgable about Iraq. He may not always be spot-on with his ideas, but at least in the past he has had some worthy of consideration.
This from Wiki
Impeachment is so rare that the term can be misunderstood. A typical misconception is to confuse it with involuntary removal from office; in fact, it is only a legal statement of charges, paralleling an indictment in criminal law.
We don't have the ability to put together a legal statement of charges?
We don't need the proof, just a list for goodness sake. We need to start this before the next prez takes office.
Why aren't BO and HC leading the charge? They are lawyers; they know we just need a list of charges.
The Clinton campaign just makes stuff up. Yesterday they said that a Super D in Montana decided to endorse Hillary due to Obama's *bitter* nontroversy. Well, a day has passed and the real scoop is said Super D endorsed her two weeks ago.
Click for story
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/15/...
Pat,
At least there is some road work going on somewhere:))
Take care to heal from your fall.
bbl
Defending and restoring the Constitution is a progressive value.
17.
seashell :-)
Tue, 04/15/08
Reply to this
Gaza...
============
Reading the link makes it easy to see how we were all brainwashed for the latter half of the 20th century into believing the Zionists were the underdogs that fought with all odds against them for the "promised land" - we wanted to believe it, of course with the holocaust still fresh in our minds.
In fact the Revisionist Zionists, and their recently arrived immigrant brethren, were fully prepared, better armed, and easily outnumbered the Arabs, by the time the Zionist militias started their 1947 ethnic cleansing of Arab towns and villages in the former Palestine.
This you will not find being taught to Israeli school children today. The myth of the God's miracle delivering the persecuted from the clutches of the evil.
continues.
The NH House is considering the impeachment resolution tomorrow.
Let's all make sure that everyone in Pennsylvania reads this...
Yikes, I can't make this a hyper link right now. Can someone help me out? Thanks.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-creamer/it-takes-real-chutzpah-fo_b_96376.html
Impeach Bush and Cheney for Torture
On Friday, George Bush told ABC News he personally approved of the approval of torture - including waterboarding - by Dick Cheney, Condoleeza Rice, Donald Rumsfeld, Colin Powell and George Tenet.
"Yes, I'm aware our national security team met on this issue. And I approved."
In the wake of this shocking and appalling confession, we've come to a historic moment where every American - and every Member of Congress - must take a stand.
Either you're for torture or you're against it. And if you're against it, you must support the only Constitutional remedy for a President and Vice President who commit war crimes: impeachment.
Tell Congress to Impeach Bush and Cheney for Torture
http://www.democrats.com/impeach-for-torture
Dr. Martin Luther King famously said of the Vietnam War, "A time comes when silence is betrayal."
When our President and Vice President personally approve torture, that time is now.
Arlen Specter's cancer has returned. I'm not a Specter fan but I do respect his struggle with the disease. Heartbreaking.
I was about to post something quite nice about Michelle and then I heard her on Keith.
"Me and Barack............"
OK, English majors should be upset by this horrible grammar. She's a lawyer? She's degreed? Plus she was dropping her ings sometimes but not others.
Do we want a First Lady who says "Me and Barack ?
No matter how many times I see her, I get an uncomfortable feeling. She's on Colbert tonight and it'll be interesting to see if she speaks more correctly and uses ings.
If Keith or Rachael spoke as badly, would anyone call them on it?
Maybe I'm nitpicking, but our next First Lady should be able to diagram a sentence properly IMO.
Oh for the days of Jackie....class all the way.
************************
The compliment was that I was thinking she might be a better prez than Barack. She would certainly be influencing him and that could be a good thing; could being the operative word.
************************
I love Michelle. I find her to be very endearing. At least she tells the truth unlike Annie Oakley for gawd's sake. Let's not forget she has a working class upbringing, seashell.
I wonder if Judge Oakley is any relation to Annie?
(VIDEO)(VIDEO) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqclpqbHb...
----
(Madera, CA)MID: Workers feared bullying By Charles Doud
MID board chairman Carl Janzen
Photo by: Madera Tribune File Photo
Madera Irrigation District officials said Wednesday they had little choice last year but to seek a three-year no-contact against former irrigation district board member Ron Pistoresi.
The district's request for the order was dismissed Monday by Superior Court Judge James Oakley, who said the irrigation district had not shown Pistoresi would be a future danger to employees.
A temporary no-contact order was granted in June after Pistoresi and then-manager Alan Turner got into an argument June 18 that turned physical. ...photo and more: https://secure.maderatribune.com/news/ne...
And I should add that we're all entitled to our opinions, right seashell? Can't make someone like someone else if they just don't feel it! ;-)
I hope for impeachment of the b@st@rds, an end to the war,
universal health care, a liveable wage for all, clean water,
clean air, green energy to replace nuclear/fossil fuels, affordable
education, affordable housing, honest elections, a healthy
grandbaby, my back to hold out 'till retirement,
great fishing...I knew I shouldn't have had that lost shot...
I better join hopeaholics anonymous soon...I must be drunk.
We got the email with a pic of Obama not holding his hand over his heart purportedly during the Pledge of Allegiance. The sender is a retired CEO of a major paper company who is a good friend. I couldn't believe it. A few months ago we received the Barack is a Muslim email from another friend. And these aren't *rightwingers* per se. Set them both straight with Snopes. This stuff is just silly and the senders should know better.
I agree about impeachment - I'd also like to see the Bush criminals serve time!
if all I have to worry about with the next First Lady/Man is that they 'talk like their roots' once in a while (particularly when they're talking about those roots), I'll take that. I can guarantee you we'll get it from Bill if he becomes first mate, as we did regularly when he was President of the United States. but since he was from the south and had a sporadic drawl, we didn't think twice about it - I don't think we had a problem with that particular aspect of his personality. we knew he was a Rhoades scholar and didn't think he was less intelligent because of the way he spoke, did we? his hometown ism's and slipping into his deepest drawl didn't cause us to question his ability to lead the nation, did it? I think Bush's rape of the english language may have made us overly sensitive! I think Michelle would be a smart, strong, streetwise Jackie. she has class, she just doesn't presume to put on airs. just like her man.
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