[Winona Online Democracy]
Hello Janet and Others,
I agree with some of your points but I want to point out what I believe to
be some important points.
1. The "40 hour week" is a myth. How many people do you know that only
work 40 hours? Most people, especially persons on salaries, work well over
40 hours. And in many cases, that is not to live a life of luxury, that is
to pay very basic bills.
2. Your time break down left out many important items. Just a few of them
include, getting ready for work, travel to work, house keeping, etc.
3. I worry that so many of us know almost nothing about the histroy of
work and people's rights in this country. The so called 40 hour work week
was a major accoplishment that labor activists and union members had to
fight for and, in some cases, die for. It was intended for ONE wage earner
to support a turn of the century family size. Today, many times we have
two parents or partners working to make ends meet.
4. I wish people would realize that the way the world is not written in
stone or has not been determined by the gods. We have the power to shape
and control our lives. If enough of us dreamed about a better world, if
enough of us realized we could change the world for the better, and if
enough of us actually did something to make those changes
happen,.....things could be changed. All we need are more dreamers,
empowered people, and do-ers.
Having said all that. I do want to state how much I agree with you when
you warn about the dangers of getting wrapped up in careers. I believe we
have been led to believe that happiness can be found in money and objects
and we too easily forget where true happiness lie.
Thank you for your feedback.
Dwayne
---------------
>I've been following the discussion about Distractions and Democracy with
>interest. One point that has been repeated is that we lack the time to get
>involved. Someone has offered the solution that we should reduce the
>"average" work week. Why? Look at your week. You have seven days of 24 hours
>each for a total of 168 hours. Of that, the "average" work week is 40 hours
>or only 23.8% of your total week. Assuming you sleep 8 hours per day, that's
>another 56 hours. If you total the two that's 96 hours out of your 168 for
>the week leaving you with 72 hours (3 full days) to participate in other
>activities such as family, government, community groups, recreation, etc.
>The problem is not the work week, the problem is what we all seem to use to
>fill up our so-called leisure time. It all boils down to priorities. If you
>think it's a priority to get involved in a group or an issue, you will do
>so.
>
>Perhaps if your "average" work week is too long, you need to examine where
>your priorities lie. Are you placing more importance on your career and your
>job than on the other issues in your life? I've been there. I've allowed
>myself to get so wrapped up in work and other activities that I didn't have
>time for the important things in life - like family and friends. It's not a
>good place to be. And it is hard to break that cycle, but it can be done.
>
>That's my two-cents worth on the issue.
>
>
>--
>Janet DeClute
>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>
><HTML>
><HEAD>
><TITLE>Distractions and Democracy - the time factor</TITLE>
></HEAD>
><BODY>
>I've been following the discussion about Distractions and Democracy with
>interest. One point that has been repeated is that we lack the time to get
>involved. Someone has offered the solution that we should reduce the
>"average" work week. Why? Look at your week. You have seven days
>of 24 hours each for a total of 168 hours. Of that, the
>"average" work week is 40 hours or only 23.8% of your total
>week. Assuming you sleep 8 hours per day, that's another 56 hours. If you
>total the two that's 96 hours out of your 168 for the week leaving you
>with 72 hours (3 full days) to participate in other activities such as
>family, government, community groups, recreation, etc. The problem is not
>the work week, the problem is what we all seem to use to fill up our
>so-called leisure time. It all boils down to priorities. If you think it's
>a priority to get involved in a group or an issue, you will do so. <BR>
><BR>
>Perhaps if your "average" work week is too long, you need to
>examine where your priorities lie. Are you placing more importance on your
>career and your job than on the other issues in your life? I've been
>there. I've allowed myself to get so wrapped up in work and other
>activities that I didn't have time for the important things in life - like
>family and friends. It's not a good place to be. And it is hard to break
>that cycle, but it can be done. <BR>
><BR>
>That's my two-cents worth on the issue.<BR>
><BR>
><BR>
><FONT COLOR="#008080">-- <BR>
>Janet DeClute <BR>
>[EMAIL PROTECTED] </FONT><BR>
></BODY>
></HTML>
**********************************************************
Dwayne and Denine Voegeli
Social Studies and Science Teachers
Winona Senior High School
901 W. Gilmore Ave.
Winona, MN 55987 USA
Home Voice Mail: (507) 453-9012
School telephone number: (507) 454-9509
E-mail address: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Personal Web Page: http://www.jarviscomputer.com/voegeli
High School Web Site: http://wshs.luminet.net/
A Web Site About the City of Winona: http://winonanet.com/home.html
"Education is not preparation for life, education is life itself."
-- John Dewey
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