Thank you for all the kind words from all these wonderful readers. I must be clear that I deserve no credit or praise for doing the bare minimum of giving someone a ride. My hope is this story serves as an example of how we all can play a part, however small, to help our neighbor and moreover demand accountability of our public elected officials to stop being mediocre and cowardly, and instead demand bold structural change. The status quo needs to go, and we must demand it relentlessly.
If we all do these things, the world will be a better place. And it’s so much bs that we can’t afford healthcare, etc but plenty of $ for war and billionaires
That was a story that is probably repeated over and over again in the richest country in the world. You're right Rashid, it doesn't have to be like this. Yet the billionaires don't pay the fair share of taxes. They make incorporations off shore to hide the fact. They now have a dictator in the WH that tells them I've got your back. For a price! I live in the UK and simply can't understand why Americans take this kind of behaviour when it comes to a choice of eating and paying for a roof over their head to going into debt to pay for a loved one to live! It's insanity!
Helping our neighbors (who don't need to live in our country even) when we see need is the way we turn this mess around. Every little effort contributes to the ripples of good that I believe are key. Our elected officials should be doing good as well and voting for people who hold themselves accountable to doing the right thing is out part of that effort.
I also want to show appreciation for those who are doing more, like Qasim Rashid and all those stepping up to share the truth and run for office.
Thank you for taking the time to put this into words. This is how so many of us feel in this country. We were raised to believe this is the greatest country on earth only to grow up and realize it has the greatest potential but is far from the best. Waiting on the world to change but not seeing the vast possibilities become a reality. I feel a shift but at the same time hear coworkers saying things like “I just can’t pay attention to the news” as if ignoring all of this will make it go away. We are on the brink of a revolution but it’s not going to happen with our head up our ass.
Joni and me. I hold four law degrees. That ought to have secured me some kind of security, surely? Well, I soon recognised the lies I had to tell and help to uphold, the mendacity of the police and prosecutors, the sell-outs and the dishonesty that happens in what we still call with some honour "the law". I went into translation, where I became a lemon, being squeezed at both ends. Then a machine decided it can do my work better than I can, so now I work at the checkout in a supermarket and I stack shelves with goods. Something AI can't do; not yet.
So, I can say with certainty that I've looked at life from both sides, from win and from lose. And what I've learned is what is actually the motto of my country: l'union fait la force. It's also the motto of Haiti. It is unquestionably so that trades unions have more strength than individual workers. But trades unions have been known to abuse their strength. The original united States of America were very disunited. It took 13 years to decide to come into a union proper. When asked after the signing whether the baby was a monarchy or a republic, Franklin replied to a Philadelphia socialite, "A republic. If you can keep it." Benjamin Franklin knew what we all now know: that the larger a country gets, the farther it descends into tyranny. USA, welcome to your long-foretold destiny.
Since the US Constitution was drawn up, the US has gone from strength to strength, and union is no longer a matter that is in question. With union has come force, but what the mottos of Belgium and Haiti do not reveal to the passing reader is to what ends that force can and will be put.
Last week, the car I had borrowed would not start when I left work, and I had to walk the 5 kilometres home, also in bitter cold. I had no choice. If home is where I wanted to be, then walking was the only means of getting there. That is the only thing that will change the USA or anywhere. It will change when it has no choice. So, changing it will depend on identifying the choices that it now has, and eliminating the alternatives to the route that you want it to take.
You've lost the baby, so now you have to figure out how you'll get it back.
We are looking in the mirror at the state of America and we should all be ashamed by what our country has become. We can do better, starting with helping others in the “ditch.” You did good, Qasim. Thank you. 🙏🏼
America is a basket case and has been for years probably since the Reagan era.
Education is not a privilege, its a human right.
Healthcare is not a privilege, its a human right. Here in the UK we have the NHS a free at point of use healthcare system but it isn't free we pay for it through taxation.
America is the largest economy in the world but the working class blue collar families don't benefit. How can you call yourselves civilised when families go bankrupt or people needlessly die because they can't afford healthcare and now ACA is stopping this will only get worse.
The UK is a mess at the moment, roads in disrepair, schools crumbling, hospitals failing.
Political parties like Reform and the Conservative party (who were in power for fourteen years) blame illegal immigration but it isn't, its the lack of investment since the early 2000s into public services.
We have the dearest gas, electricity and water in Europe because of privatisation, these are run not for the customers but too maximise shareholder dividends.
Most things worked in the UK until they didn't and that was after privatisation.
I feel like I have just been marinated in goodness. Thank you. Your words are simply the truth. Cultivating awe for all that is, knowing connection is the most sacred aspect of life, letting go of ever more fervent striving. Solutions exist. You put it all so well.
I always look forward to read what you write because you come with facts. Yes you’re kind but fearless and honest and you don’t hold back and I love it. Im so glad I subscribed to you. Thank you.
Such a meaningful message, Qasim. And in that place at that very time was the convergence of you and your neighbor. You were able to make a difference for him. Thank you for your kindness 🩵 on the flip side, greed is a horrible thing
Thank you for all the kind words from all these wonderful readers. I must be clear that I deserve no credit or praise for doing the bare minimum of giving someone a ride. My hope is this story serves as an example of how we all can play a part, however small, to help our neighbor and moreover demand accountability of our public elected officials to stop being mediocre and cowardly, and instead demand bold structural change. The status quo needs to go, and we must demand it relentlessly.
If we all do these things, the world will be a better place. And it’s so much bs that we can’t afford healthcare, etc but plenty of $ for war and billionaires
Weeping at the beauty of what you did and the sadness that we still have a long way to go in our country.
Absolutely. Thank you Qasim. You are a kind, generous and wise soul.
That was a story that is probably repeated over and over again in the richest country in the world. You're right Rashid, it doesn't have to be like this. Yet the billionaires don't pay the fair share of taxes. They make incorporations off shore to hide the fact. They now have a dictator in the WH that tells them I've got your back. For a price! I live in the UK and simply can't understand why Americans take this kind of behaviour when it comes to a choice of eating and paying for a roof over their head to going into debt to pay for a loved one to live! It's insanity!
Thank you for this moving and poignant story. It is indeed a testimony of what we have become - we have to switch gears while we still can!
Helping our neighbors (who don't need to live in our country even) when we see need is the way we turn this mess around. Every little effort contributes to the ripples of good that I believe are key. Our elected officials should be doing good as well and voting for people who hold themselves accountable to doing the right thing is out part of that effort.
I also want to show appreciation for those who are doing more, like Qasim Rashid and all those stepping up to share the truth and run for office.
Thank you for taking the time to put this into words. This is how so many of us feel in this country. We were raised to believe this is the greatest country on earth only to grow up and realize it has the greatest potential but is far from the best. Waiting on the world to change but not seeing the vast possibilities become a reality. I feel a shift but at the same time hear coworkers saying things like “I just can’t pay attention to the news” as if ignoring all of this will make it go away. We are on the brink of a revolution but it’s not going to happen with our head up our ass.
Right!
If each of us helped at least one person in similar circumstances the dire situation this country is in would improve.
I'm glad you are in the world and on our side. Community is everything, and you embody it in all that you do. You are an inspiration.
I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
Joni and me. I hold four law degrees. That ought to have secured me some kind of security, surely? Well, I soon recognised the lies I had to tell and help to uphold, the mendacity of the police and prosecutors, the sell-outs and the dishonesty that happens in what we still call with some honour "the law". I went into translation, where I became a lemon, being squeezed at both ends. Then a machine decided it can do my work better than I can, so now I work at the checkout in a supermarket and I stack shelves with goods. Something AI can't do; not yet.
So, I can say with certainty that I've looked at life from both sides, from win and from lose. And what I've learned is what is actually the motto of my country: l'union fait la force. It's also the motto of Haiti. It is unquestionably so that trades unions have more strength than individual workers. But trades unions have been known to abuse their strength. The original united States of America were very disunited. It took 13 years to decide to come into a union proper. When asked after the signing whether the baby was a monarchy or a republic, Franklin replied to a Philadelphia socialite, "A republic. If you can keep it." Benjamin Franklin knew what we all now know: that the larger a country gets, the farther it descends into tyranny. USA, welcome to your long-foretold destiny.
Since the US Constitution was drawn up, the US has gone from strength to strength, and union is no longer a matter that is in question. With union has come force, but what the mottos of Belgium and Haiti do not reveal to the passing reader is to what ends that force can and will be put.
Last week, the car I had borrowed would not start when I left work, and I had to walk the 5 kilometres home, also in bitter cold. I had no choice. If home is where I wanted to be, then walking was the only means of getting there. That is the only thing that will change the USA or anywhere. It will change when it has no choice. So, changing it will depend on identifying the choices that it now has, and eliminating the alternatives to the route that you want it to take.
You've lost the baby, so now you have to figure out how you'll get it back.
We are looking in the mirror at the state of America and we should all be ashamed by what our country has become. We can do better, starting with helping others in the “ditch.” You did good, Qasim. Thank you. 🙏🏼
America is a basket case and has been for years probably since the Reagan era.
Education is not a privilege, its a human right.
Healthcare is not a privilege, its a human right. Here in the UK we have the NHS a free at point of use healthcare system but it isn't free we pay for it through taxation.
America is the largest economy in the world but the working class blue collar families don't benefit. How can you call yourselves civilised when families go bankrupt or people needlessly die because they can't afford healthcare and now ACA is stopping this will only get worse.
The UK is a mess at the moment, roads in disrepair, schools crumbling, hospitals failing.
Political parties like Reform and the Conservative party (who were in power for fourteen years) blame illegal immigration but it isn't, its the lack of investment since the early 2000s into public services.
We have the dearest gas, electricity and water in Europe because of privatisation, these are run not for the customers but too maximise shareholder dividends.
Most things worked in the UK until they didn't and that was after privatisation.
Happy Twixmas and may you have a safe New Year.
"Education is not a privilege, its a human right."
Funny how the educated privileged can turn out to be so dumb.
I feel like I have just been marinated in goodness. Thank you. Your words are simply the truth. Cultivating awe for all that is, knowing connection is the most sacred aspect of life, letting go of ever more fervent striving. Solutions exist. You put it all so well.
I always look forward to read what you write because you come with facts. Yes you’re kind but fearless and honest and you don’t hold back and I love it. Im so glad I subscribed to you. Thank you.
Such a meaningful message, Qasim. And in that place at that very time was the convergence of you and your neighbor. You were able to make a difference for him. Thank you for your kindness 🩵 on the flip side, greed is a horrible thing
Happy New Year to you and your family, Qasim. Thank you for your unique and compassionate perspective.