Robin Hood

[OneGrassRoot]

I haven't been able to get the idea of Robin Hood out of my head for a couple of weeks now. This isn't a very coherent, focused post, but I'm throwing it out there anyway. If it's meant to resonate, it will. ;)

The imbalance and injustice of the current system drives me insane. When I get like this -- when I can't let an idea go -- it often means an "aha" moment is on the horizon.

My ponderings are focused on this question: How can we balance the resources while working toward a non-monetary-based system? Other than supporting taxing the rich, what are some clever, unique ways we can introduce to invite those with resources to be more generous -- and remind them it is for their benefit as well? We know fear leads many to hoard; they can have millions but be afraid they're going to lose it and thus turn a blind eye to the homeless person they pass on the street.

What aspect of human nature can we appeal to to try to open this floodgate and encourage more balance?

I'm focused on the HEARTS WIDE OPEN thing...but beyond that, I'm obsessed with coming up with practical ways to enable this balance to take place.

I'm thinking via my dream project (most of you know what it is; I'm hesitant to use the name since The Google turns up everything...lol) I will definitely implement various ways for this to happen, such as opportunities for those with resources to "adopt" families, schools, fledgling startups, etc. in their local community, or in their hometowns. Patrons.

I also can't get the idea of a reverse telethon out of my head. Truth be told, I'm so tired of celebrity-oriented everything. Ughhhh......

Rather than have Brad Pitt and other well-meaning celebrities manning phones and asking all the "regular" people to donate $5 or more -- money that is increasingly hard to come by for everyone because things are so OUT OF BALANCE -- I envision city-wide telethons with regular peeps manning the phones and only donations of $5000 plus being called in. The monies are funneled directly into the community (details still to come...lol). Celebrities and others with resources (corporations) can funnel money into their current local community and/or their hometown to ease the daily burden of the citizens.

While I'm not a fan of the non-profit structure -- simply because it's often abused on the administrative end, plus it simply provides a tax write-off rather than tapping into authentic generosity -- I'd even consider starting a 501(c) to administer such a series of telethons.

I think it would be a hoot. Have local bands play rather than U2. Everything local, everything grassroots, and funnel the resources in the other direction for once.

Any other ideas as far as ways to balance things out, even if it's Pollyanna-ish?

:hi:

[kentauros]

1. Those are all good ideas, and I don't really have any more to add.

Just that (and I know I'm saying this a lot these days) having just finished reading "Three Cups of Tea", Greg Mortenson found out firsthand how "generous" some people can or cannot be. It took a country-wide Parade magazine story to get people's attention, after years of working on his personal mission. Soliciting the rich proved almost completely fruitless, as you have pointed out about their "fear" of letting any of their wealth go. But there are some that do not think that way, thankfully.

Using Mortenson as an example, I am of the mind that it would likely take someone of charisma or a known character to get people donating in the thousands of dollars. Mortenson's example elicited donations ranging from pennies from schoolchildren to tens of thousands from rich donors.

This is the only method that I can think of for the time being. You might consider calling various foundations and charities to see what they think of these ideas, too.

:hi:


(You know, I hope my point of view isn't too much of a downer. If so, I'll edit it.)

[OneGrassRoot]

3. I need to read that book. :)

I'm having computer woes, so I'm largely MIA right now, but was so glad to see Kipper is just fine! More healing hugs sent to heal the UTI. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

Maybe you can rest more soundly now. :) :hug:

Oh, no...I don't think your point of view is a downer at all. I just wasn't able to return yesterday due to my computer chaos. I'm really interested in any and all thoughts, which can cover many aspects of this "lack versus plenty" reality many are facing. Spiritually we may embrace the truth that "there is no lack, there is plenty of resources and all we need"; practically, however...that's more difficult, especially when we see fear and suffering all around.

I'm trying to find balance and envision a new way to transition this time of lack (even if it's an illusion in the bigger, spiritual scheme of things) to a more peaceful, joyful world, and brainstorm about practical ways to bridge the realities.

:hi:

[get the red out]

2. corporations

Beautiful ideas OGR. The celebrity culture we live in absolutely haunts me it is so insane!

I wish corporations could be influenced to place actual grocery stores in impoverished areas and operate them whether there is profit or not, selling real food to people who don't have vehicles or live in a sub-division with a store down the street catering to the middle-class residents. Food disparity is a bad problem. That would be a tremendous corporate donation IMO, a commitment really. If corporations could be guided toward providing the same opportunities for people in all walks of life in this country it would help tremendously.

Grassroots is a wonderful, mind-changing thing. One thing that could be added is to get local cooperatives involved, like any local food co-ops etc.... I know our local co-op "adopts" a local charity every month to publicize and collect for in the store. Folks already thinking locally could be a good source for organization assistance.

[OneGrassRoot]

4. This is a great, practical step...

I just wrote above to Kentauros that I'm trying to think of ways to bridge our current reality with the one we seek to experience...lack versus an abundance of all we desire/need.

One thing that is coming into my awareness more and more is that, as much as I dislike (loathe is a more accurate word) the concept of mega corporations and the lack of humanity that tends to take hold, I'm drawn to think of ways to come up with a bridge...and to show them it's indeed in their best interest to help others, to help those in their local communities, from a simple bottom line standpoint. Surely there's at least a handful of people with a heart and a conscience at all big companies...who knows it's simply the right thing -- and, ultimately, the wisest thing -- to do.

Such as your example with grocery stores in impoverished areas.

I've started to introduce these ideas here.

The other puzzle piece that drives me nuts (and I know you will resonate with this, GTRO) are churches.

When I look around to see WHO HAS THE MONEY, churches in this area must be doing well as most of them are developing huge campuses -- forget just adding onto the church, we're talking truly building campuses.

Now, the last thing I want is to invite more control by churches and religions in any way, but how to filter some of that wealth back into the local community is always on my mind. Surely they are doing so to some degree, but if they're able to display such wealth in the form of real estate, to me, they're not doing enough. IMHO. ;)

Thanks for your thoughts. :hug:


Edit to fix link

[rumpel]

5. Like minds..

I have been pondering about this for quite a while, too.

If, as a society, we can come up with a plan based on the principle that every person has a basic right to a roof over their heads, and we can implement renewable energy, the other basic needs of existence can in fact be a bartering matter. (Labor, services, goods)
I believe it is in the collective interest to provide for the basic needs of every person. However, as you point out, society as a whole is not compassionate enough, and it is very difficult for those people to see the reality of others in a different perspective. Basically, "I worked so hard, why should I share with others who have no work, or failed, is lazy"-type of mentality. At the same time, mentally there is fear of lack, because of the belief that every one is on their own.

I attribute this to the competitive and judgmental nature in much of all society does. Starting with education, where we have to compete to get better grades, when the grades are in fact judgments - or at least we perceive it as such. I once saw on PBS one such effort for change by a University professor, who explained how she conducts her classes. The students form groups and obtain group grades, which teaches them to work collaboratively with others, and at the same time, students start identifying each of their own strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, the collaboration is creating a result which is very satisfying to the group.

A company can be an employee owned entity, if we truly want to be equitable. Everyone shares the risk and profit.
The banking industry I personally think should go back to basics. They are merely entrusted with the clients money for safekeeping - ok, for a fee. Who gave them so much power to judge and place a valuation on people (credit score) based on how much profit the bank can make off of our fellow and collective depositors funds in form of a loan or investment. If they were to have to share the interest payments with all depositors - I wonder...As it is, depositors are a de facto investor in the bank, since they leverage every hard cash dollar we place into our accounts at least 10-20 times.
Businesses have to go back to basics.
The other day someone posted an essay from the CEO of Whole Foods at HuffPo in GD, and many poopooed and labeled it as hypocritical. But I agree in the many points he makes. If some companies start adopting his vision, I think we can gradually get there.

I guess, the key is for society to shift from an individual minded approach to a collaborative approach. Being taught early on that no one is better than another person, and we are all responsible for each other in one way or another, may perhaps be the seedling. Not only in talk "we are all created equal", but in re-building societal values.

I am afraid it will take a while, but we just have to all work towards it.

[OneGrassRoot]

6. Hey, rumpel

:hug:

I need to read the article by the CEO of Whole Foods.

I've been almost obsessed with the idea of co-ops and started gathering links to review later at the small business forum here at DU:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=264x454

I agree with everything you've said. Removing fear, enabling the heart to open, then offering a new way...they seem to be the tasks at hand.

:grouphug: