Corporate coersion: Avalonians, I need help, its at my doorstep

[Artemesia]

Dear Avalonians,

Most of us here know about the moves from the corporate sector to take over the rights to personal choice for its employees, especially in the areas of health and lifestyle choices.

To give some background to this post, I work a VERY part-time gig as a paramedic doing 'health screenings' for corporations, through a corporation that provides these as a 'service' to corporations and their employees. Mostly the intent behind this (from the corporate point of view) is to save millions on company paid health insurance premiums by offering a prescreening/preventative maintenance tool.

I am fully aware of the tricky angle this puts me in as a 'care provider'. I do my job (wellness education, explaining the results), but I definitely put in my own $0.02 in terms of alternative health options, not putting too much weight on cholesterol numbers and avoiding prescriptions to 'fix' these things. Most people get the ordinary shpiel my company would be happy to dish out. Folks who I sense can 'hear' something else, I share that with them. I feel I've made some powerful statements to folks about maintiaining their own soverignty in the face of this stuff, despite the fact that I spend about 5-10 minutes with each person.

The mission statement of the company I am independently contracted to work for is to 'create a culture of health and wellness'. One step away from health ownership of slaves, much like the military does with their forces.

Anyhow, I am writing this because I am about to do a series of screenings for a large health care agency that likely uses employees brought to the US on H1B visas, which is a form of indentured servitude to recruit folks from the Phillipines, India, Mexico and elsewhere to bring them to the US, shut out 'American' workers with the same skill sets, and also have a cheap and easily forceable labor source, working for minimal pay. I just received the following request from my company, on behalf of this other company. I've attached the document content below, removing the names of the company I work for and the contract company.
-----------

I, ________________________________________, an employee of XXXXXXX
Family of Companies affirm that the following statements are true:
□ I currently use tobacco products.
□ I am currently not using any tobacco product and plan to remain tobacco free during
my employment with XXXXXX Family of Companies.
Should I start to use tobacco products any time during the coming year, I am aware that tobacco cessation resources are available year round and I will enroll in an approved tobacco cessation program within 6 weeks upon resuming tobacco usage.
I swear and affirm that the statements made therein are truthful to the best of my knowledge.
Signature: ________________________________________________
Print Name:_______________________________________________
Employee Number: ________________________________________
Dated: ________________________________
IMPORTANT NOTE
You will need to complete this affidavit as part of the Wellness Program
participation requirements for the July 2011 plan year.
If you use tobacco products you will be required to complete
tobacco cessation program as one of the criteria to qualify for the Wellness
Program premium discount for the following year.

-------
So my request to Avalonians is this: any great ideas on how to avoid being a stooge for this kind of invasion of personal choice and coersion of workers? Everything I've researched and become aware of in regards to global controllers machinations has landed on my doorstep and I could use some great ideas on how to counter this kind of cold and harsh threat to people's lives and choices. I have a week before I'll be asked to get signatures on these forms from the people I'm screening/'helping' and I would love some input on how to be saavy in my countermeasures against this crap.

Thank you so much.

Artemesia

[Gajanana]

I dont have a solution, but just want to say that I support your motives and understand your concerns. This is a perfect example of how they get this **** put into action, you are reasonably trapped by your need for work. Anyone in your situation ought to give them the finger, but I know that it is not always an option, at least not for some. I also am part to things I am in disagreement with, but the time is not right for me to do anything about it. Tricky place to be. :nod:

[Lord Sidious]

You are correct about the indentured servitude.
Good observation.

[Artemesia]

Anyone in your situation ought to give them the finger, but I know that it is not always an option, at least not for some.

Thanks for the reply. I have considered the resignation option in the past, but doing some inner meditation and asking for guidance in regards to this job, its been suggested that this is a great time to stick around and not just flee, in order to do some very real and useful work. I am well aware that I can easily be replaced by some lackey who will happily do whatever they ask for the money. This is not me. I prefer to use this interesting position to be a real counterforce, not just retreat and let the yes men in. Its a lot harder for these folks to get away with their schemes when there is an actual intellligence standing in the way of their 'slip in under the doorstep' schemes. If I get dismissed, its no big deal. That is a LOT different than just backing away from a fight. I am ready to stand and deliver. I could use some help with how to do that carefully, cautiously, and with impeccable skill and precision.

[Jake]

Looks to me like you have to conform. It is happening everywhere. Especially in the healthcare industry. It is being taken over by the government here in America, which is not good news. We have jerks sitting in a cubicle 'denying' a DOCTORS request for further care. You are right, It is like the cooperations are acting as if they were military. I remember a couple of 'G.I. Joes came to my house and demanded that I sign draft papers, or they are taking me to jail, right then and there. (I held out as long as i could.) They make you sign the paper because there is no LAW backing what they are doing. There is no law (that i was aware of) that makes the draft constitutional, yet There they were, at my door, threatening jail time.

Sign ze paypayres!!!

Pretty Nazi, if you ask me.

[Gajanana]

totally agree, which is why I said its not the right time for me yet, instead og the usual "I cant do anything about it"
We will overcome... some sunny day :cool:




Anyone in your situation ought to give them the finger, but I know that it is not always an option, at least not for some.

Thanks for the reply. I have considered the resignation option in the past, but doing some inner meditation and asking for guidance in regards to this job, its been suggested that this is a great time to stick around and not just flee, in order to do some very real and useful work. I am well aware that I can easily be replaced by some lackey who will happily do whatever they ask for the money. This is not me. I prefer to use this interesting position to be a real counterforce, not just retreat and let the yes men in. Its a lot harder for these folks to get away with their schemes when there is an actual intellligence standing in the way of their 'slip in under the doorstep' schemes. If I get dismissed, its no big deal. That is a LOT different than just backing away from a fight. I am ready to stand and deliver. I could use some help with how to do that carefully, cautiously, and with impeccable skill and precision.

[Lord Sidious]

Looks to me like you have to conform. It is happening everywhere. Especially in the healthcare industry. It is being taken over by the government here in America, which is not good news. We have jerks sitting in a cubicle 'denying' a DOCTORS request for further care. You are right, It is like the cooperations are acting as if they were military. I remember a couple of 'G.I. Joes came to my house and demanded that I sign draft papers, or they are taking me to jail, right then and there. (I held out as long as i could.) They make you sign the paper because there is no LAW backing what they are doing. There is no law (that i was aware of) that makes the draft constitutional, yet There they were, at my door, threatening jail time.

Sign ze paypayres!!!

Pretty Nazi, if you ask me.

The draft is purely voluntary.
You know how I know?
Because if ''they'' had the power to draft you, you wouldn't need to sign any forms.
If you do sign and you are drafted, they will still trick you into volunteering.
They will get you after you pass all their exams and line you up.
Then they will shout ''All those volunteering to join the US Army/Navy/Air Force/Marines, take one step forward'' and that is when you stay stationary.
They will abuse you, they will call you a coward and insult you in ways you haven't heard yet, but if you don't volunteer, you can leave.
I wouldn't volunteer.
I did my time and now I know not to help them.

Did you sign?

[Artemesia]

Looks to me like you have to conform. It is happening everywhere..

Sign ze paypayres!!!



Are you s*****g me? And you're a moderator in training here with the vendetta mask as your avatar?

Seriously, I am looking for constructive, thoughtful ideas, not endless submission to the same. Do you men think that 9 MILLION women, branded as witches, keepers of secret immenently useful knowledge of the Goddess, burned at the stake or were torchered, while others waited quietly in secret, only to emerge in the 20th century during the greatest consciousness awakening Earth has seen in thousands of years, only to ask for a suggestion and be told by a man:

" Looks like you have to conform."

Sorry to come off as reactive, but the more people spend their precious waking hours on a living walk on Earth 'moderating' on supposedly radical forums and at the same time dish out blither like the above, the longer the plan for personal freedom, sovereignty, freewill, choice, peace, joy is going to be delayed because some people lack the creativity to come up with better solutions. Please, check yourself, check your intent, figure out what things really mean to you. *I* AM the one in the position of action, *YOU* have the luxury of monday morning quarterbacking before the play has even gone down. I am beginning to 'get' the frustration Atticus must have felt when he had choice things to say about the 'keyboard warriors' who sit and have little content to truly add. The time is NOW people, the mission is clear, at least for some. Remember, as things become more transparent its really easy to see who can really walk the talk, and who is merely a parrot on a comfortable little branch of hubris.

I

[Nairnia]

You have free will dont you? Either conform or walk away.

[Artemesia]

You have free will dont you? Either conform or walk away.

Or that deliciously useful and often forgotten third option, to stand up for what is right. Speak the truth, give the employees who are in a shoving match between their corporate masters and their right to free will choice to make their own health care options, to choose what they divulge, what they don't.

After giving the issue much thought, I feel that I will explain to them with brevity what their company is requesting, WHY they are requesting it, what is at stake, and present to them the 'other option' of handwriting on the form "I do not choose to sign this" and putting an X by it for anonymity. They could also take it with them and consider it with more time and in private, and turn it in to their boss at their own will.

Its interesting to see how polarized folks even here still are. Creativity, imagination, considering the unseen options people, this is why we are here on Earth at this time. This is the walk we must learn to do. I find it interesting that this conversation has gone the way it has. Shows alot about where things are at, even among the 'informed' population. There is, no doubt, much more to be done. Defining the boundaries of the box is only the first step. Learning to conceive beyond the obvious options suggested by its parameters is yet another. Seemingly, not too many are at this level yet. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in this curious role, to be on the front line and also flesh out what is and is not available in terms of tangible support from the supposed 'supporters' of change. Much love to you all, this is not meant to be disparaging, only enlightening, exposing the next layer of work to be done.

I'll keep you all posted on how the screenings go, and how it all shakes out.

Thanks for your input.

[Nairnia]

You have free will dont you? Either conform or walk away.


Its interesting to see how polarized folks even here still are. Creativity, imagination, considering the unseen options people, this is why we are here on Earth at this time. This is the walk we must learn to do. I find it interesting that this conversation has gone the way it has. Shows alot about where things are at, even among the 'informed' population.
.

I personally would not take part in anything I would consider immoral or enethical. This is a judgement call and your previous posts are full of judgement. What you do is ultimately up to you, your choice, your call. No one is forcing you to do anything and those on an H1B are doing so of their will and I'm sure are very grateful for the opportunity to live and work in the US.
Let your conscience be your guide.

[sandy]

Dear Artemesia,

I know here in Canada we have labour laws. One of our labour laws is you can refuse work that you feel puts you in harms way without risk of being fired...............something like that anyway. My point is that you may want to check out your labour laws in your area and see if there is anything like this in your legislated labour laws.

This tactic they will eventually be able to get around as TPTB.............but it would elongate you leaving process and facilitate time for you to secure other employment possibly. You know that if a company thinks they are going to have to answer publicly for their actions towards an employee, they will take the time to make sure their asses are covered and the KEY her is time....................You may be on suspension with pay while they do this before letting you go...............................but tactically they are paying you to find another job while you are waiting for the inevitable outcome. In the end you stand for your ethics and moral issues, find more life fulfilling work while being paid, and creates a win/win for you all the way around. They lose a great and caring employee and person!!:)

Seriously, check out your labour laws and see if you can find a loop hole somewhere..........................ie, in Canada one doesn't have to work on a Saturday if this is detrimental to their religious beliefs and needs and no employer can make them or fire them either.

Hang in and hope this helps, by the way I love your personal ethics and morals and the fact that your willing to stand up for them, your a hero in my books!!!!

[Artemesia]

Sandy, I appreciate the ideas. Very helpful, real content. I am an independent contractor, I am not an employee of the company I am doing this work for. I realize I might not be offered work at some point, but this is nothing new, its something that came with the territory from the beginning, before this new wave came into being.

To Nairnia, I agree about not doing something immorral or unethical. I feel it is unethical to know what is going on, be in a position to ensure that folks under the gun make an informed choice with full awareness of what they are facing, and to do nothing or to walk away because of fear or apathy. I am in that position. I intend to take the more challenging but infinitely higher road of trying to be an agent of balance, to help folks know what they face, and ensure they recognize their free will in how they choose to respond. Few others can or would do this. I am one who walks my talk. Not that its without danger. Knowing this, I cultivate skill, seek resource, connect to both inner and outer guidance (as I'm doing here) to ensure that the role I can play is done with impeccability. This is an opportunity. A great one. I am honored to receive it. " A warrior actually affects the outcome of events by the force of his awareness and unbending intent." I walk the way of the warrior heart.

If you choose to offer soemthing that will cost you little, but serve me well, offer your prayers and protection for me on this journey.

[Shezbeth]

Based on what I have read, I assume the following.

1. You are not a licensed, sworn investigator. You are not liable if anything on those documents is incorrect.
2. Those filling out the form are not making a sworn statement, under penalty of perjury. They cannot be held accountable if the information is inaccurate.

Questions:

1. What, if any, investigative process does the company maintain to discover whether a person smokes or not?
2. To what degree is the smoking policy enforced, and or how rigorous is the follow up from the documents?

Correct me if I am wrong. Your job is to collect completed forms, regardless of the accuracy of the information. Their job is to fill out the forms regardless of the accuracy. Accounting of the accuracy and follow up is someone else's responsibility. In beauracratic scenarios, such people are either A. overley zealous of their duty to the irritation (putting mildly) of those in their purview, or B. exceptionally lazy which will result in a relaxed atmosphere.

I would suggest that you advise clients to fill out the paperwork as per their ability to maintain the appearance of the accuracy of information, given the probable douchebaggery from above and potential consequences thereof. But then, I have been counseled at my own work for saying things I ought not. ^_^

[Meesh]

I dont have a solution, but just want to say that I support your motives and understand your concerns. This is a perfect example of how they get this **** put into action, you are reasonably trapped by your need for work. Anyone in your situation ought to give them the finger, but I know that it is not always an option, at least not for some. I also am part to things I am in disagreement with, but the time is not right for me to do anything about it. Tricky place to be. :nod:

The phrase "Render onto Caesar . . ." comes to mind. I understand the dilemma. Try to be gentle with yourself.

[Nervana]

I work for a Fortune 500 company in the US and if we complete our online Wellness assessment, we are discounted on our insurance rates. If we do not, we are charged an extra $1800 per year to be insured. This kinda forces you to comply, unless you want to pay a higher price. We also are provided a Wellness check at our office, in which your height, weight, cholesterol are checked. I do feel this is an invasion of my privacy, that my body weight, waist size and blood information is stored on someone's system.

I try to stay away from conventional doctors as much as I can, and visit an amazing acupuncturist when in pain or sick. The only bright side to my health plan is using a HSA account to pay for acupuncture. I can transfer money from my savings account to my HSA and write off the allowed amount on my taxes.

There is no solution for what the corporations of America force people to do if they want healthcare benefits. Obama Care is trying to force everyone in the US to carry health insurance, just like auto insurance. Many states are fighting this, but time will tell what will be law.

All I can say to the overseas workers trying to make it here, welcome to America, the land of the poor.

[Artemesia]

To give a little more background on my role, so as to clarify the situation.

I am an independently contracted Nationally Registered and State Licensed Paramedic who is sent to corporations to do 'health screenings.' What this usually entails is one person does the screening. We do a finger stick and put the blood into a fancy portable spectroscopy machine that gives out info on blood sugar, cholesterol levels (hdl, ldl, total cholesterol) and do a measurement of blood pressure, height, weight and waist circumference, which we then use a formula to compute into body mass index. This information, along with the employee's personal information of name, address, phone number and social security or employee id number is recorded on a form. The screening client then goes to the next 'station', which I will be staffing, alone, where I then write this data onto little 'teaching' forms, which the employee is allowed to keep for their own reference, that explain where their profile fits in according to whether values are high, low, normal, etc. I explain a little about the values, and if they are 'out of line' with what is accepted as 'good health' data, I make suggestions for diet, exercise, etc. I have additional handouts available to give further information per these suggestions. The forms with the personal data and collected health data goes directly back to my 'parent' company, whose employees then supposedly protect the confidentiality of the screened employees from the requesting corporation, but then distill the medical data into statistics and profiles that make generalizations about the employees health status, for the requesting corporation's information. How this is used, I am not sure, but I can make some informed guesses, as can you.

Per the corporation for which I am contracted to work as a screener on THIS occassion, the company I am performing the screenings for has asked that we, the wellness screeners (myself and one other person being flown-in for the job to do the screening aspect, while I do the education aspect), give this ADDITIONAL form, (content copied in the original post on this thread) to the screened employees. This is totally new. The parent company I am contracted by additionally offers call-in coaching assistance to the screened employees (for an additional fee to the requesting corportation) , one componant of which is an 'optional' smoking cessation 'coaching program', which this new corporation is choosing TO MAKE MANDATORY for any tobacco users in their employ.

Its all very suspect, and as I've said before, I've known this all along to varying degrees and have done my best to shed light in dark corners (they once sent me to a chicken slaughterhouse corporation and had me sit in a portable trailer outside positioned next to the 'offal bins' and live chicken delivery trucks to do the screenings for the largely uneducated and illiterate immigrant labor force in their employ on the killing/processing floor) , offer alternative medical suggestions when appropriate, and find a balance in the mess even as I realize I am in the midst of a big scam to save corporations millions and meanwhile push their corrupt 'health care' conditioning agenda. I was asked at the slaughterhouse to 'recommend' seasonal flu shots/H1N1 shots but I refused to do this and also refused to be the employee administering the shots. This isn't the first time I've been in a position where my ethics are being challenged. However, this time, things 'feel' different. I am being asked to have a hand in a small portion of the mass-conditioning agenda that seeks to get the working class to surrender their private health information and personal choices to the will of corporate employers. This is fine. But I plan to hold the line to a new level against this kind of nonsense, and do the right thing by exposing the agenda. I just need input on how to do it effectively, quietly, without reactionary rhetoric, in careful, cautious but deliberate measure. If I lose my job, no biggie. I do hope to avoid direct counter attack. Hence the caution. I've had my paramedic licensure threatened by docs before at another job, for acting in the interest of patient safety instead of submitting to the ridiculously unfeasable needs of a particular resident's ego. Incidentally, I don't plan to renew the state blessing (licensure) for the knowledge I have and practice, since its all been a big joke since I began my training anyway. I know what I know, I can help when needed, and I don't need their piece of paper to share this with my fellow humans. As for using my skills for employment in the field (since its required proof to work in the healthcare industry) if anything, this is my last hurrah in what I've found to be a deeply corrupt and mostly not helpful/healing 'healthcare industry' job.

What is different this time in this oft-repeated pattern of facing off on ethical grounds as these darkened agendas march their way around through the world, and my life of experience, is that I now have access to forums such as this, where I hope to find folks who are saavy enough to know about whistleblowing on the front lines and have something useful to offer me in terms of tangible support. Remember, Project Avalon is about Whistleblowing, right? Well this is it. Front lines. Out in the open. Not cloak and dagger like Charles' stuff, not mysterious and hard to penetrate like the black ops/military stuff. Its about someone working a part-time job, trying to help working class folk manage the corporate invasion of their health and wellness, given a real-time opportunity to enact positive change in the spirit of 'taking to the streets' what I've learned on places like Avalon.

[Lord Sidious]

I work for a Fortune 500 company in the US and if we complete our online Wellness assessment, we are discounted on our insurance rates. If we do not, we are charged an extra $1800 per year to be insured. This kinda forces you to comply, unless you want to pay a higher price. We also are provided a Wellness check at our office, in which your height, weight, cholesterol are checked. I do feel this is an invasion of my privacy, that my body weight, waist size and blood information is stored on someone's system.

I try to stay away from conventional doctors as much as I can, and visit an amazing acupuncturist when in pain or sick. The only bright side to my health plan is using a HSA account to pay for acupuncture. I can transfer money from my savings account to my HSA and write off the allowed amount on my taxes.

There is no solution for what the corporations of America force people to do if they want healthcare benefits. Obama Care is trying to force everyone in the US to carry health insurance, just like auto insurance. Many states are fighting this, but time will tell what will be law.

All I can say to the overseas workers trying to make it here, welcome to America, the land of the poor.

Acupuncture is excellent, if you have someone who is good at what they do.

[sygh]

Dear Avalonians,

Most of us here know about the moves from the corporate sector to take over the rights to personal choice for its employees, especially in the areas of health and lifestyle choices.

To give some background to this post, I work a VERY part-time gig as a paramedic doing 'health screenings' for corporations, through a corporation that provides these as a 'service' to corporations and their employees. Mostly the intent behind this (from the corporate point of view) is to save millions on company paid health insurance premiums by offering a prescreening/preventative maintenance tool.

I am fully aware of the tricky angle this puts me in as a 'care provider'. I do my job (wellness education, explaining the results), but I definitely put in my own $0.02 in terms of alternative health options, not putting too much weight on cholesterol numbers and avoiding prescriptions to 'fix' these things. Most people get the ordinary shpiel my company would be happy to dish out. Folks who I sense can 'hear' something else, I share that with them. I feel I've made some powerful statements to folks about maintiaining their own soverignty in the face of this stuff, despite the fact that I spend about 5-10 minutes with each person.

The mission statement of the company I am independently contracted to work for is to 'create a culture of health and wellness'. One step away from health ownership of slaves, much like the military does with their forces.

Anyhow, I am writing this because I am about to do a series of screenings for a large health care agency that likely uses employees brought to the US on H1B visas, which is a form of indentured servitude to recruit folks from the Phillipines, India, Mexico and elsewhere to bring them to the US, shut out 'American' workers with the same skill sets, and also have a cheap and easily forceable labor source, working for minimal pay. I just received the following request from my company, on behalf of this other company. I've attached the document content below, removing the names of the company I work for and the contract company.
-----------

I, ________________________________________, an employee of XXXXXXX
Family of Companies affirm that the following statements are true:
□ I currently use tobacco products.
□ I am currently not using any tobacco product and plan to remain tobacco free during
my employment with XXXXXX Family of Companies.
Should I start to use tobacco products any time during the coming year, I am aware that tobacco cessation resources are available year round and I will enroll in an approved tobacco cessation program within 6 weeks upon resuming tobacco usage.
I swear and affirm that the statements made therein are truthful to the best of my knowledge.
Signature: ________________________________________________
Print Name:_______________________________________________
Employee Number: ________________________________________
Dated: ________________________________
IMPORTANT NOTE
You will need to complete this affidavit as part of the Wellness Program
participation requirements for the July 2011 plan year.
If you use tobacco products you will be required to complete
tobacco cessation program as one of the criteria to qualify for the Wellness
Program premium discount for the following year.

-------
So my request to Avalonians is this: any great ideas on how to avoid being a stooge for this kind of invasion of personal choice and coersion of workers? Everything I've researched and become aware of in regards to global controllers machinations has landed on my doorstep and I could use some great ideas on how to counter this kind of cold and harsh threat to people's lives and choices. I have a week before I'll be asked to get signatures on these forms from the people I'm screening/'helping' and I would love some input on how to be saavy in my countermeasures against this crap.

Thank you so much.

Artemesia

The only way to combat something like this is a strike. You block entry or exit from the business. If it is a global corp, the strike must be global. Of course, that depends upon the worth of life.

[bitworm]

Perhaps you can make your own handouts, then slip them in with the other ones you give out.

[Jake]

Looks to me like you have to conform. It is happening everywhere..

Sign ze paypayres!!!









Are you s*****g me? And you're a moderator in training here with the vendetta mask as your avatar?

Seriously, I am looking for constructive, thoughtful ideas, not endless submission to the same. Do you men think that 9 MILLION women, branded as witches, keepers of secret immenently useful knowledge of the Goddess, burned at the stake or were torchered, while others waited quietly in secret, only to emerge in the 20th century during the greatest consciousness awakening Earth has seen in thousands of years, only to ask for a suggestion and be told by a man:

" Looks like you have to conform."

Sorry to come off as reactive, but the more people spend their precious waking hours on a living walk on Earth 'moderating' on supposedly radical forums and at the same time dish out blither like the above, the longer the plan for personal freedom, sovereignty, freewill, choice, peace, joy is going to be delayed because some people lack the creativity to come up with better solutions. Please, check yourself, check your intent, figure out what things really mean to you. *I* AM the one in the position of action, *YOU* have the luxury of monday morning quarterbacking before the play has even gone down. I am beginning to 'get' the frustration Atticus must have felt when he had choice things to say about the 'keyboard warriors' who sit and have little content to truly add. The time is NOW people, the mission is clear, at least for some. Remember, as things become more transparent its really easy to see who can really walk the talk, and who is merely a parrot on a comfortable little branch of hubris.

I

Artemesia. I want to apologize for coming accross so insensitive. I did not mean to offend you. My making light of your situation was not intended as an insult. I understand that you brought a highly sensative issue to the table. My posting, ie "sign ze paypayres" Was a complete Joke. The creepy avatar has to go, I have been getting that alot. Please do not judge me so harshly, and i will promise to be more sensative.
I will say again, it IS happening everywhere. I do not think that is insensative.

"Seriously, I am looking for constructive, thoughtful ideas, not endless submission to the same. Do you men think that 9 MILLION women, branded as witches, keepers of secret immenently useful knowledge of the Goddess, burned at the stake or were torchered, while others waited quietly in secret, only to emerge in the 20th century during the greatest consciousness awakening Earth has seen in thousands of years, only to ask for a suggestion and be told by a man:"

Which Burner???
Ouch! I don’t think I deserved that.

It is okay, I can take it. Pretty harsh, but I can take it. I will not put all of the ills I have received and others have received, all throughout history, on YOUR shoulders.

Yet I digress. I think you are awesome, Artemesia. Please forgive me.

Lord Sid,,, Yes I signed the papers.

[modwiz]

Acupuncture is excellent, if you have someone who is good at what they do.

Uncle Sid, the point you make here is one I would like to open up a bit more.

Acupuncture by someone who is good (working towards mastery) at it is a powerful health modality. As a bodyworker/medical massage therapist who is trained in shiatsu also I work very closely with bodies, their various physical and energetic systems, and the information they give me as well as information/stimuli I can give back.
I joke with my clients and tell them," there is no such thing as a doctor of massage but, I try to be one." They often affectionately thank me as "doctor".

The bigger point here is not my skills or an acupuncturists but a state of mind that is too often absent from professionals and that is passion for what they do.

If you do not approach your work trying to be the hands of the Creator in action than we all lose. We have all been losing too long. Working for gain rather than passion has produced a sea of mediocrity. People who can afford to get certification streaming into professions with the goal of most money for least effort.

No matter where I go to work my place among the elite is a certainty because of the paucity of passionate individuals. I don't ever ride my excellent reputation but consider it my ongoing challenge to be worthy of it. I further challenge myself to improve with each forward movement. There are greater and lesser days owing to natural rhythms and cycles. My "best" has some variation but it is always the "best" I have at that moment in time.

What I eat, my sleep and social interactions are all part of my considerations to my calling.
I left my marriage because of the emotional drag it exerted on my profession.
Understandings were reached and that relationship has a fresh start now. It will compliment what my service to Spirit requires and will not erode my ability/integrity. Service to humanity is what we are all called to do.

:focus: Todays' corporate culture is the antithesis of service to humanity. It and human weakness are the bane of our existence.
This, human weakness, is not a blanket statement, not all are weak but enough to provide a serious drag on the rest of us.
Life, and who we are, is about the choices we make. My beliefs lead me understand the circumstances of my birth were mine, made before incarnating. This has helped me enormously to understand the "negatives" and their purpose in my formation. Most importantly it has removed all "victim" narratives as valid excuses or reasons for not being a good/great person.

[Lord Sidious]

Lord Sid,,, Yes I signed the papers.

Do you intend to do anything about it?
Just curious.

[Jake]

Lord Sid,,, Yes I signed the papers.

Do you intend to do anything about it?
Just curious.
Not sure what is left to do. I did not get the impression that i had a choice. They came to meh house. They will not draft me now. (i don't THINK)
i will go to prison before i will point a gun at people and shoot. (at least in a draft situation.) I never liked the idea of the draft. But i did sign the papers.

[Rocky_Shorz]

did I mention my middle name begins with a V?

glad to see you are not only sticking around, but stepped up to help...

Thank you...

[sandy]

Sandy, I appreciate the ideas. Very helpful, real content. I am an independent contractor, I am not an employee of the company I am doing this work for. I realize I might not be offered work at some point, but this is nothing new, its something that came with the territory from the beginning, before this new wave came into being.

To Nairnia, I agree about not doing something immorral or unethical. I feel it is unethical to know what is going on, be in a position to ensure that folks under the gun make an informed choice with full awareness of what they are facing, and to do nothing or to walk away because of fear or apathy. I am in that position. I intend to take the more challenging but infinitely higher road of trying to be an agent of balance, to help folks know what they face, and ensure they recognize their free will in how they choose to respond. Few others can or would do this. I am one who walks my talk. Not that its without danger. Knowing this, I cultivate skill, seek resource, connect to both inner and outer guidance (as I'm doing here) to ensure that the role I can play is done with impeccability. This is an opportunity. A great one. I am honored to receive it. " A warrior actually affects the outcome of events by the force of his awareness and unbending intent." I walk the way of the warrior heart.

If you choose to offer soemthing that will cost you little, but serve me well, offer your prayers and protection for me on this journey.

Dear Artemesia,

Having done contract work in my day I do understand, thus I offer you my prayers and protection for your journey and state again my admiration for Walking your Talk. Your courage and integrity will see you through!!

[Artemesia]

The only way to combat something like this is a strike. You block entry or exit from the business. If it is a global corp, the strike must be global. Of course, that depends upon the worth of life.

Well, on a grand scale, yes, the above mentioned post is true. But I am a one woman show. At least in this particular 'ring' of the larger fight. Thus, I have to use one-woman show tactics. An interesting 'bargaining piece' I forgot about until now is that the screening company is shipping all the screening supplies to me, at my house. They have a pretty tight schedule that took over a month to negotiate. If I wanted to drop a bomb on their scheduling, I could potentially refuse to do the screenings because of the 'extra' form, and then they'd be in a pinch to get the supplies to the other employee they are shipping in from California, and also have to find someone else to come up and do it. Its a temporary snafu in the timing of their agenda, but potentially an important one nonetheless. Would make my headache and heartache and potential 'line of fire' stance ease up in many ways, and I could go on with my life for now.

Of course, the deeper problem would still remain. And, I would be giving up an opportunity to speak directly to the ones whom this stuff is affecting, the employees whose signatures and aquiescence to corporate will and show of force they seek. I'll have to weigh the value of causing a big but temporary splash in the pond, versus potentially putting myself in some hot water to tread while also getting to speak my point more covertly, to those who perhaps need to hear the message. Then again, lots of the folks I see in this role are pretty vacant, not very informed, and seem to be the type who are happy to roll over and go belly up for the measly priviledge of getting a regular paycheck, even if it is from a corporate slavemonger. The chicken slaughterhouse workers were the epitome of this, down to the strange way they segregated themselves in the lunchroom, couldn't decide whether to keep working or go to the hospital when one of them had a blood sugar of over 600 (diabetic ketoacidosis in action, critical levels) or how they psychologized the bizarre death ritual of killing chickens on an intricately timed schedule, according to their masters' desire for money.

The question: big splash now, endless showdown later, temporary peace (for me) or get into the belly of the beast and share my peace and wisdom, potentially throwing myself under the bus of direct counter attack. Crap. I hate these kind of logistics.

[Dennis Leahy]

...So my request to Avalonians is this: any great ideas on how to avoid being a stooge for this kind of invasion of personal choice and coersion of workers?

Artemesia
Artemesia,

My first thought is whether it is legal.

As for what to do, maybe you could state that you believe that it is illegal, and won't be able to participate. Unfortunately, that may be the same thing as handing in a resignation.

Plan B would be to quietly find out the email address of the corporate attorney, and fire off an anonymous email (start a new Hotmail or Gmail account if necessary), calling it to their attention, saying you know it is illegal, and (maybe) also stating that you hate to see their law firm put in a position of being a scapegoat for the corporation's obvious illegal action. (I'm just thinking they might actually respond if they have any inkling that they themselves might take any heat.)

Dennis


... Service to humanity is what we are all called to do.

:focus: Todays' corporate culture is the antithesis of service to humanity. It and human weakness are the bane of our existence.
modwiz,

Agreed, agreed, agreed. And those weaknesses (that we all do have) are targeted by the corporate overlords, using the work of Edward Bernays and others.

(I actually agreed with even more that you said, but wanted to highlight just a few "gold nuggets.")

Dennis

[sygh]

The only way to combat something like this is a strike. You block entry or exit from the business. If it is a global corp, the strike must be global. Of course, that depends upon the worth of life.

Well, on a grand scale, yes, the above mentioned post is true. But I am a one woman show. At least in this particular 'ring' of the larger fight. Thus, I have to use one-woman show tactics. An interesting 'bargaining piece' I forgot about until now is that the screening company is shipping all the screening supplies to me, at my house. They have a pretty tight schedule that took over a month to negotiate. If I wanted to drop a bomb on their scheduling, I could potentially refuse to do the screenings because of the 'extra' form, and then they'd be in a pinch to get the supplies to the other employee they are shipping in from California, and also have to find someone else to come up and do it. Its a temporary snafu in the timing of their agenda, but potentially an important one nonetheless. Would make my headache and heartache and potential 'line of fire' stance ease up in many ways, and I could go on with my life for now.

Of course, the deeper problem would still remain. And, I would be giving up an opportunity to speak directly to the ones whom this stuff is affecting, the employees whose signatures and aquiescence to corporate will and show of force they seek. I'll have to weigh the value of causing a big but temporary splash in the pond, versus potentially putting myself in some hot water to tread while also getting to speak my point more covertly, to those who perhaps need to hear the message. Then again, lots of the folks I see in this role are pretty vacant, not very informed, and seem to be the type who are happy to roll over and go belly up for the measly priviledge of getting a regular paycheck, even if it is from a corporate slavemonger. The chicken slaughterhouse workers were the epitome of this, down to the strange way they segregated themselves in the lunchroom, couldn't decide whether to keep working or go to the hospital when one of them had a blood sugar of over 600 (diabetic ketoacidosis in action, critical levels) or how they psychologized the bizarre death ritual of killing chickens on an intricately timed schedule, according to their masters' desire for money.

The question: big splash now, endless showdown later, temporary peace (for me) or get into the belly of the beast and share my peace and wisdom, potentially throwing myself under the bus of direct counter attack. Crap. I hate these kind of logistics.

Just thinking... It may well be that you can talk to a Labor Union rep. about your situation. Considering the fact that you are a contractor in the medical field, part-time, probably without much in the way of job protection yourself, it sounds like you don't have much in the way of a leg to stand on corporate wise because you are twice removed. However, since you really care about what's happening and probably feel pretty much alone, talking to a union rep might help; they have al sorts of information that you might find useful. At any rate, you know that people who are poor and down to the survival mode worry over the time they will lose from work before they even begin to count the cost of hospitalization. Alternatives will help them, as long as it's not vodoo.

Seek out a strong individual, the one who is most willing to listen in the crowd. Think about communication skills. Usually, but not always, the one person who is most open to hearing your message will spread the message, or s/he can go to that one person in the group who seems central to communications. In this way, the people you can't touch will get your message.

In group communiation patterns, there is the line, we all know how that one goes, start a message at the beginning and if the line is longer than 4 or 5 people, the message gets lost in translation. Then there is the the star configuration. Sure the message gets out, and everyone can check with everyone else about the validity of the message but ultimately the message gets lost, and nothing gets done because it is talked to death, or E-mailed to death, etc... We experience this on forums a lot, along with the communication thread/line. There is also the Y configuration; this is where the message originates at the base of the v, and the only person you have to worry about getting the clear message might be at the bottom of the Y. Of course, there is also the spoke where the message eminates from the center out. This is a great way to get the info out there, however, if you look at the poor sucker in the middle, it's very demanding. People in that position don't last long.

The point to all of that is that, when you go into work and you see the way communication works in the group, if you work with that, the message you want to get across can be effective. Pass a book.

Maybe some of this will help?

P.S. And what Dennis Leahy said. There's Human Resources, there's the suggestion box, There's the Worker's Advocate, there's the Migrant Worker's Advocate, there's the BBB, the list goes on. An attack from all sides works best. These sources are supposed to protect your anonymity. Here's where the IRS can also work for you, and not against you. In nasty cases, it wouldn't hurt to put as mcuh pressure as needed on from all sides.

[Artemesia]

Okay folks, thanks for the hands on help today. I've made my move. Less headache, more balance, is the route I've chosen. Here's a copy of the letter I sent to the company I contract for. FYI, I've put **** or [explanatory brackets] in where the actual names of companies or people involved would be, since I'm still taking the cautious tack of avoiding naming names:

---------

I have tracked the screening supplies and I guess they are in ****, on schedule to arrive at my house by tommorrow (Friday) evening. I have also received your email regarding the MANDATORY tobacco cessasion affadavit that ****** is REQUIRING their employees to sign, under threat of denial of various health care priviledges promised in their employee benefits package, should they refuse to comply with this show of force.

There is a major major problem with this. To be clear, I do this work for ***** because I see SOME potential benefit to help individual people live healthier lives. From my first contract at ******, [name of other hired contractor] and I discussed the fact that there is another motivation at work for doing these screenings, from the requesting corporation's point of view, in that they save millions of dollars in company paid portions of insurance premiums, by requiring employees to submit to this testing. Obviously, companies have a stake in wanting to cut costs in the short term on costly premiums and also save in the longer term on employee sick leave and delays to their production because of illness and injury. For anyone in the know, myself included, there is a huge push from the corporate world to condition the individuals of the working class to continue to submit to corporate control, including in the realm of health. By using tools such as 'wellness screenings' and the new advent of mandatory affadavits to agree to smoking cessation programs under direct threat of denial of promised benefits, those of us on the front lines are seeing the slow but carefully strategized conditioning to arrive at a fully controlled, matrix-like industrial fascist state. A few drops of blood, measurement of one's waist and a signature of promise to follow the path preferred by corporations now, is only a few steps away from a much much darker scenario, right down to the control pods and total surrender of free will and freedom of bodily choice, as technology to manipulate and manage such becomes available on a large scale.

I waded into the nightmare of [name of chicken slaughterhouse corporation] , hoping to shed some light to the exploited workers there, in the name of ******'s mission to help improve the health of workers. It was a truly awful experience that took awhile to recover from, but I did. I hope deep inside that some good came of that venture. But I have to draw the line somewhere, and the line is here.

I WILL NOT be responsible for collection of these forms. I will not act as a stooge or yes man for this kind of invasion of personal soverignty and right to freedom of choice. There is no excuse for this kind of blind, ignorant and blatent move to deprive individual humans of their most integral aspect of living self in the world. There is an old saying from Nazi times, "They came for the Jews, but I was not Jewish, so I did nothing. They came for the homosexuals, but I was not gay, so I did nothing. Finally, they came for me, though I had done nothing, and there was no one left to speak for me."

As the march of the globalist agenda, the newer version of the age old form of imperialism that has reigned for roughly the last 5000 years, some say 17,000 years, of human history, comes to my front door, I take my stand, however small, and say no.

However you choose to respond my stand is fine. If you want to take the high road and tell ****** , politely but firmly, that ****** will not be an accomplice to their blatant affront of human free will, then FANTASTIC, I applaud you for this bravery,and I will stand by you. If you choose to pull your contract with me to do the work, because you can't 'trust' me to be a docile servant to a much larger, darker agenda, then fine. I will gladly receive the supplies sent and treat them with respect and be sure they get delivered to ***** when he arrives to do the job, as requested, if that is what he plans to do. I can also send them back to you immediately as you make other plans to fulfill the contract you've negotiated with ******. Whatever you decide is fine. I have no need to throw myself under the bus, no need for heroics for which I will receive no support. I do have a need to define and uphold my personal integrity, and the tobacco cessation affadavit is absolutely out of alignment with what I know on deep levels to be the greatest gift and defining feature of being human: our free will.

--------

So that's the stand Avalonians. Small but sincere. Its the best I could muster, and I do thank you all for your support. At this time in my life, I'm tired of getting run over by the bus. As a one-woman show, there is a time for heroics and a time to regroup. I've asked Bill Ryan for his advise, maybe he'll have some ideas on something to coordinate on a group level. After this initial storm blows over, there might be a time for naming names.

Namaste

Artemesia

[MariaDine]

Dear Artemesia, it sounds like you need legal advise.

I think there is a chance that the refusal for not signning that form, that for all legal effects is a contract, may be possible .

For example, and this is an example, because I don't know USA Civil Law - the person not signnnig may delay the outcome based on not having enough information for taking that decision , or some other argument, like that the form of the contract is too general and may induce people in error, etc...

You really need to get some legal advice. And you right, «fight» it like if you were the one signning the contract. That is your better chance of getting to the bottom of it.

Namasté

[Artemesia]

Dear Artemesia, it sounds like you need legal advise.

I
You really need to get some legal advice. And you right, «fight» it like if you were the one signning the contract. That is your better chance of getting to the bottom of it.

Namasté

Thanks. I actually just looked up some local employment lawyers and found one that specializes in whistleblower protection. I've sent them an email asking for support/advise. Better to get some friends in the know now who can help, even as the skirmish is only beginning. You have sage wisdom, and it has been heeded. Thank you so much.

[Artemesia]

Interestingly, I've found out that this 'issue' has already been in the mainstream media. I've contacted a lawyer already involved in the case. Maybe there's a REAL opportunity to do some whislteblowing, but with backup.

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/435314_smokers11.html?source=rss

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41835693

[Dennis Leahy]

... Here's a copy of the letter I sent to the company I contract for. ...
---------

... I have also received your email regarding the MANDATORY tobacco cessasion affadavit that ****** is REQUIRING their employees to sign, under threat of denial of various health care priviledges promised in their employee benefits package, should they refuse to comply with this show of force.

There is a major major problem with this. ... But I have to draw the line somewhere, and the line is here.

I WILL NOT be responsible for collection of these forms. ...

Artemesia

Outstanding, Artemesia! Standing ovation!

Dennis

[mondaze]

artemesia i admire your stand immensely! This is the time for us all to have the courage of our convictions! i work in the health service, nominally, as a blood courier and when the so-called swine flu eperdemic hit the uk The plan to vaccinate all was very advanced, by very i mean extremely advanced, days away from happening. I told all at the time to resist at all costs . i spread the word that a certain vaccine manufacturer had been caught sending live and deadly flu vaccines out in eastern europe as an oversight....(oh dear b*****) Thankfully the roll out of compulsory vaccination did not occur which suggests the ptb realised it would be either uninforceable or that our immune systems work a damn sight better than they thought.
On the tabacco issue, why are they so intent on stopping people smoking? What does nicotine do to the brain which scares them so much? that is the question we should be asking.

[Gajanana]

......... :clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

[Artemesia]

On the tabacco issue, why are they so intent on stopping people smoking? What does nicotine do to the brain which scares them so much? that is the question we should be asking.

Well, I think its really less about tobacco and more about finding a 'leverage point' of contention that has already had a lot of history of 'programmed responses', and using this to get their foot in the door with the larger conditioning program of getting people to think its normal or okay for employers to dictate to their workers what behavior/lifestyle choices to make.

To give some of the history I know, the tobacco plant is a sacred plant to the native peoples. A good reason to stop its use right there from the PTB perspective. Then, all the conditioning in the 40s and 50s re: smoking. Men were given cigarettes in battle to calm nerves. It was unladylike to smoke. Then, all of a sudden, it was a show of one's 'liberation' to be a woman and smoke, especially in public. Then, all the 'research' about smoking caused illness, second hand smoke, the war on smoking in public establishments, the ostracism and isolation of smokers to certain legally defined locations. To me, it all speaks to a more general picture of a big fat shoving match. Go this way, smoke em if you got em, and oh yea, the government will GIVE them to you. Then NO, you must not smoke. Then, YES, smoke, its proof of your liberation. Now no, WE (the PTB/Corporations) KNOW better, do what we tell you, or else.... After awhile, you get so tired of being shoved that you end up traumatized and give up. Great for them. That's when the REAL agenda can roll out, unimpeded by petty scrapping.

Looking back at my posts, it worked well. Clearly a lot of my old PTSD issues surfaced, the adamant stand in the beginning, the venomous toungue in self defense, the fatigue, then some clarity as other ideas came to me. One of the reasons I stopped doing 'street medicine' is that the psychological strain of being the only one or one of only a few who knew what to do in crisis situations and feeling 'responsible' for getting it right, fast, with precision, OR ELSE (death lurks nearby) was too much. I still run this course, but it clears more quickly and I come back into balance better, less residual trauma. A funny little case study for those who wonder what its like to have the trauma conditioning to grapple with. Some of us are winning. One day at a time.

Off to call the lawyer now. Interestingly, I've had no reply from the company I work for yet after my email yesterday. Hopefully they are scrambling, and aware that they'd better get their chips squared away with their legal counsel.

[Artemesia]

I think the short lived saga is over.

The company intercepted the package of screening supplies and is having it shipped elsewhere. I spoke to an employment lawyer and she says the policy contained in the letter is within the scope of an employers RIGHT to implement any company policy they choose. If individual employees or labor unions backing those employees take issue with it, they have to do it on their own. As a third party, I have no recourse. As an independent contractor, no dispute to raise since I am not under any regular employment contract.

The company I work for, WellCall, Inc. Has not contacted me. I informed them I was aware they'd shipped the package elsewhere, have requested no further contracts or contact from them. Like other issues I've faced, these petty tyrants generally like to slink off into the background without a word, so they can find another stooge more willing to be on the take for their schemes.

So, once again, the one woman show was both a success and a sadness. I stood up for what I beleive in. As a result, I have no work, no expectation for income from that endeavor, no legal support, seemingly no recourse for this lack of integrity and justice on the part of a big corporation. At least I feel I'll scrape through without direct reprecussions to me personally. And in my heart, I know I've done my best, done the right thing.

The lion sleeps no more.

I guess.

Somehow I feel like I could use a good nap though, after all the commotion.

[Artemesia]

An interesting metaphysical tie-in to this. I finally heard back from the woman I am directly employed through at WellCall, the biometric screening company. She said she didn't initially get back to me on the day I sent my letter because she was in... get this:

MOUNT SHASTA

doing screenings. The mountain portal speaks. Looking it up on the web in terms of metaphysical properties, its about 'alignment of life', as opposed to say Hawaii, which is about 'rebirth and creation'. Certainly, my life has been realigned. For the better. I feel the release today, time to get busy with other things.