> http://www.massmind.org/techref/ecommerce/xmas.htm
>
> Anyway, the best presents are the ones you make yourself. My daughter is
> giving pillows, my mother gave quilts (nothing is stronger than the
> grandmother love that warms you under a hand made quilt), and my wife gives
> herbal creams.
>
> All the plastic crap is broken by New Years.
>
> Mall Wart doesn't believe.

This Christmas, why not spread the BEST element of capitalism (a
way for the determined to lever themselves out of poverty in a way that
helps them maintain their pride in themselves) rather than the worst
element of capitalism (cheap crap made overseas that the media has
convinced us we need)?

I found a website called kiva.org that facilitates micro-economic loans.
For those who don't know what this is, the principle is pretty simple:
I make a loan through Kiva to an entrepreneur in another country
(probably a third-world nation).  That person starts or improves his or
her business.  Ultimately, they pay me back after having set up a
means to provide for themselves and their family.

Sort of a "teach a man to fish..." philosophy.

The attentive will note that the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded this
year for essentially this very thing.

Mike H.
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