The audacity of we...

[Skidmore]

I'm not sure what kind of response this will get me but I have a point to make and it's one I think we should consider and/or act upon. I've been thinking about how "stuck" we are as a people, stewing in anger and waiting for someone to resolve all of our problems when no one is willing to give--certainly not those who have. The corporations are firmly entrenched in profit-taking and not being good corporate citizens. The political establishment loves things the way they are, after all Congress is where you go to become a millionaire when you don't have the business acumen to become a corporate pirate. The bankers and finance sector think they are all entitled to own you money not be stewards of it. What we have learned is that there is no institution or process currently that can be trusted in to be responsive to the citizenry and that institutions see themselves as above the rabble these days.

So....what can "we" do to reset. We have tried to reset from within the system. What if we stepped outside the system and started institutions and businesses on our own, use ethical practices, and practice good stewardship for people's moneys and goods. Can we not attract business away from the corporate structure or can we not suck the oxygen out that fuels the corruption in our government? Why not adapt some of the practices being used to microfinance in Third World nations.

I know we talk a lot here about protest shopping or joining your credit union. I'm not talking about this sort of thing. I'm talking about the strength of "we." Remember the bus strike during the Civil Rights movement and the willingness to forge community ties and pool resources? This is what I'm talking about. Pooling resources and talents out here without pulling on the traditional sources of finance. At some point we will need to rely upon one another. Here in our area, we have done some of this. Our local farmers have formed a group to turn land over to organic farming and have been creating markets locally for their produce. Our village this year set aside a piece of land for a communal garden. Volunteers plowed it, we pooled a bit of money (less than $100)or individually donated plant sets or seeds, set aside a day to convene to plant it, took turns with weeding and tending, and set up a common area where available harvest was posted. All food harvested by or for an elderly person went to that person for free. If you wanted part of the harvest for yourself, you needed to contribute labor. The garden was extremely successful, and much appreciated by the older folks on fixed incomes. Lots of canning was done. These are agricultural examples, but I don't see why the same principle couldn't be used for other forms of production and on other scales.

Call me naive if you want, but why "we" as a people have seemed to sit still in this massive inertia, I don't understand. I think the demand is there and jobs too. The farmers have created side industries as their efforts have moved forward, including feed and dairy and poultry products and a market for organic products in nearby restaurants. Some even deliver produce to your home during the season. We don't need huge businesses to further this nation right now. They are not going to do it and are too busy trying to bankrupt us. WE can create our own work, our own incomes, and our own goods with much more dignity and respect than these institutions would afford us. I'm interested in some discussion on this topic minus snark. Please.