Fighting poverty (in this country and worldwide) can be extremely frustrating because it’s a complex issue, and it’s difficult to determine the best strategy.  For example, some experts say “Don’t give aid”; some experts say “Give more aid.”

I’ve given money (and still do) to organizations that fight poverty.  Do I know that the organizations are going to use my money effectively to alleviate poverty?  No.  I simply hope and pray that the organizations are using effective strategies and that my money will somehow make a difference.  It feels like gambling, in some sense.

But what works, what strategies alleviate poverty?  Why haven’t we figured this out yet?

In her compelling and enlightening TED Talk (see video below), Esther Duflo says we can find out which strategies are best, and to do that, we need to do more social experiments.  Duflo gives specific examples of social experiments in Africa that have produced valuable insights.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that really matter.”

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

My friend Nicole Scott, who’s now working for Nuru International, introduced me to this quote.  It continues to resonate in me.

A couple days ago I posted a video of actor Matt Damon sharing what he thinks about vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

In response, my friend Laurie posted the following comment:

Alright. I must comment on Hollywood stars spouting off about their political beliefs. Let me just say this as clearly as I can … I DO NOT CARE to hear your personal rantings on t.v. interviews, award shows, or in any other form of media. Is this because I’m a Republican? Maybe. But I also don’t think fame suddenly gives you intelligence.

Well, Laurie, you and my favorite guru, ed fargle, are on the same page about this.

Years ago a reader of ed’s advice column named James VanNatter asked ed the following question:  Why are movie and rock stars always being asked their opinions on the deep issues of the day?

Check out ed’s response.

In the U.S. presidential race, I’m stunned by the lack of experience of two of the candidates, Sarah Palin and Barack Obama.

I can, however, imagine Obama as president (for several reasons, which I won’t get into here).

I can’t imagine Palin as vice president or president (though I love her Upper Midwest-like accent!). Maybe that’s because I don’t know enough about her or about politics. Maybe after the debates I’ll change my mind.

For now, though, her candidacy seems like a joke and perhaps even an act of disrespect for the offices of vice president and president. Or, perhaps even more accurately, it’s like a really bad Disney movie, as actor Matt Damon points out in the video below.

Is it possible to transcend Left (Democrats) vs. Right (Republicans) and create an integral “Third Way” in politics? If you’re interested in politics and human development, you may be fascinated by Ken Wilber’s thoughts in the video below (video length: 31:10). Wilber asserts that if we’re gonna transcend Left vs. Right, we need to understand how human development affects politics.

Note: before you view the video below, it may be really helpful to read the brief description of the stages of human development as outlined on the Integral Institute website. Enjoy.

+ When it was time to vote today, for some reason I sprung from my couch (where I sit all day with my laptop), lept toward my closet, grabbed a button-down shirt and a shiny, silver tie, spent ample time in front of a full-length mirror, modeling my Super Voting Man attire, and then walked next door to the Balboa Rehabilitation and Nursing Home to fill in some circles on a form, with style.

+ Voting was easy: it was a no-brainer to choose Hillary. Her website offered a slightly better user experience than Barack’s site. That settled it for me.

+ Though I have to admit, when I watched the “Yes We Can” video on Barack’s site, I got misty and nearly changed my mind.

+ I voted “No” on propositions 94-97, which called for expanding casinos on Indian reservations. After reading the article “Wheel of Misfortune” in Time, I felt compelled to vote “No.” But I honestly don’t know what’s best (like with many issues!).