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Big Ideas
By L.A. Steel
I wanted to start off the new year with a zinger of an article and snap a few heads around towards a more liberal mindset that might break the thick intellectual ice that seems to be settling hard and deep around the country. As I was mulling through a few books for inspiration, I came upon an old book I have read many times: The Magic of Thinking Big, first published in 1959 by Prentice Hall, authored by David Schwarz. The book has sold over two million copies, according to the publisher.
I've read hundreds of self-help books over my lifetime, but few of them seem to pique my interest enough that I would read them over again. For those who have never read The Magic of Thinking Big, let me state that the author's main theme is about maintaining a positive mental attitude and how to think on a grander scale.
I have tried my entire life to keep a positive outlook and like most people I often fail in that goal, but I keep picking myself up and dusting off my positive thoughts to try again. I figure that sooner or later I'll figure out how to get where I want to go. Reading this book inspired me to buy a Powerball ticket to test my latest positive mental attitude and win $100 million this week. Once this article appears, I might already have won. In a very positive mindset, I will let Voice readers know when I've won. If I lose, I’ll re-read the book.
This summer I read the entire Count of Monte Cristo. For those who haven't read it, it’s about a man who suffers an incredible injustice and betrayal, escapes a French prison and discovers a hidden treasure that makes him one of the wealthiest men in the world during the early 1800s. This guy was really thinking big—or at least Alexandre Dumas, the author, was. I like thinking big—it’s fun and challenging—so I've made a Christmas list of big ideas and would like to share them with Voice readers.
• I would like to win the Powerball $100 million prize.
• I would like to see world peace.
• I would like to see Ralph Nader as president in 2004.
• I would like to never have to see or hear of G.W. Bush again.
• I would like to see 100% employment in America.
• I would like to see universal health care in America.
• I would like to see child poverty abolished in America.
• I would like to see Trent Lott without his wig.
• I would like to see the Democratic Party stand for something.
• I would like to see a full reclamation of the global environment.
• I would like to see all nuclear power plants closed down forever.
• I would like to see all corporate CEOs make minimum wage.
• I would like to see everyone else make millions.
• I would like to know if anyone is really looking for Osama bin Laden.
The L.A. Steel Show is now televised on public access stations across Connecticut. Also, listen to L.A. Steel’s Artists and Activists on WAPJ 89.9 FM on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-noon.
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