Okay, the system is broken and reeks of corruption.

[Dover]

Now what?

Where do we go from here?
If we were empowered to make changes (and we are, individually and collectively),
what is the vision of the future that would inspire us to to rally behind it?

For me, it has been a matter of personally moving toward a more sustainable lifestyle and
community orientation. I suppose if there were many others doing the exact same thing then
this would result in a grassroots movement that would nonviolently bring about change -
particularly if/when the dysfunctional system of government/economics collapses by the weight of its own excrement (to be used in the compost pile).
The theory there is that the more we are self-sustaining, the less we fit the role of the traditional consumer. And even a slight change in that direction by a number of people can
change the whole economic equation.
Of course this all takes time...

Anyway, just curious about how you see the direction of things both in your own life and in the
life of the collective?

[Cleita]

1. I've seriously been thinking, how do we do things at the county level?

I remember when I first moved into this community, everyone was trying to stop Wal-Mart from building a store here. Well, Wal-Mart did get in. They always do, however, this Wal-Mart isn't the usual square navy blue box that most of them are, but is done in Spanish mission style on the outside anyway. Inside is the same old Wal-Mart. Also, the local nurseries won a coup of sorts. This Wal-Mart can't sell nursery plants although they can sell gardening equipment indoors. RVs and motor homes aren't allowed to park overnight. I for one don't shop there anymore because of principle although everyone else I know does.

I have tried to identify the merchants who are small and local or who are progressive like Trader Joe's and CostCo. I believe it starts with boycotting those corporations who got us here. I have switched my bank to a credit union and am in the process of doing so with my credit cards. Even though they are the same VISA and MC, they still have to operate under the contract that they have with the credit unions, which is more user friendly that the ones that are robbing everyone blind with usury.

I live in a rural area but it's semi-arid making it hard to do extensive gardening. Most of the available water for irrigation is used up by the agri-businesses and wineries. Mostly, people keep horses. This year I'm going to make a driven effort to grow food in raised beds. I'm looking into recycling the gray water to irrigate with. I've been talking to the neighbors about them cultivating small patches too. We could probably eventually get to a place where we swap crops, seeds and eggs. Most of us, who are transplanted city people, don't have the stomach for raising and killing animals for meat.

Medical access is a problem as the insurance companies really have everyone held hostage, even the seniors on Medicare who must also get a supplement or sign over their Medicare rights to a Medicare advantage program. I would really like to see permanent free clinics in the area that could accept insurance and Medicare, but that could also give free care to those who need it or according to their ability to pay. No one turned away in other words and everyone getting the same care. Of course this would take fund drivers all the time.

Also, it's going to have be at a local level that we start bringing in election reform. I think this is really where we have to start. I guess I'm going to have to start going to my local Democratic club meetings again. I stopped going because they got nothing done but talk and no young people attended, whom are really needed. I myself am at an age where I'm waiting for the grim reaper although I am willing to do what I can.

I'm still driving the same ten year old car and intend to keep the old clunker going until we finally get cars that will run on solely on electricity, which we plug into from solar panels, and bio-diesel that can be produced environmentally and with a network of stations where you don't get stranded. You'd think McDonald's and other fast food joints could envision a secondary market here from their discarded french fry oils.

In the long term, we really have to address the overarching problems of unemployment, poor wages, poverty and ultimately homelessness. Oh, yes, there are still the natural and not so natural disaster looming that we live with all the time, earthquakes, wild fires, nuclear plant accidents and yes, even possible tsunamis.

[Dover]

5. Cleita, you are an inspiration!

Everything we do, think, say, has an intention and a consequence. So we need to mind that as
we tend our gardens and recognize that collectively we are formidable agents of change, even
if we can't see it from our individual life's vantage.

[MichiganVote]

2. I see more and more people carrying their own canvas bags in place of plastic. They are listening.

The country is paying attention.

Beware oil barons....

I see people switching from high fat foods to low calorie fruits and vegetables. The Farmers market was mobbed this summer.

Watch out Fast Food Nation builders....

I've noticed a sizable increase in people staying home, using energy in their homes in place of paying for it in venues that charge 3 times as much for a simple evening of entertainment.

Good bye richies who convince municipalities to outlay the majority of the costs for massive entertainment complexes....

I've noticed more people walking. They greet each other. They exercise their animals. Its easy, its healthy and its free.

Expensive Gyms are going to be missing a few customers....

So yes, people are angry, very angry. They are frustrated and they are scared. Mostly, I think that people are sad that our country has become such an obvious Oligarchy.

Expect change Congress. Its already on its way. The cabal of geriatric white guys on the republican end are about to be part of the next clunkers program.

[Dover]

6. Yep....Being the change. Those shopping bags are an effective metaphor.

And heaven knows I've really had to get focused in order to train myself to remember them when I go to the store. There IS an effort and discipline involved, even in the smallest of changes. But I've pretty much trained myself now. I take them to the Farmer's Market as well.

[madamesilverspurs]

11. My shopping bags

have all come from a local thrift shop that's run by a local organization that helps single mothers and their kids in our community. The bags cost 79 cents each, and since they're all donated there's an interesting assortment. I've never been to Cancun or Bermuda, but my shopping bags have!

[glitch]

3. You may be interested in this book

http://www.amazon.com/Blessed-Unrest-Largest-Movement-Restoring/dp/0143113658/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255218678&sr=8-1

Also, see my sig.

[rhett o rick]

4. I appreciate the book recommendation but would rather you get it from Powells Books or some progress

ive book store. Amazon is on my bad corp list.

[glitch]

8. I hear you. But Amazon offers alternative vendors, local independent booksellers.

Selling through Amazon can be their lifeline.

http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780143113652-2

[rhett o rick]

10. thank you. nt

[Dover]

7. Both those reading recommendations are right up my alley. Thanks!

I see he has put out several books that all look intriguing. And I discovered this dvd as well:
Paul Hawken: The New Great Transformation


I think ditital technology and its 'open source' environment, the engagement of the individual and networks for collaboration and interaction (as opposed to mass media mindset) is also a major catalyst of change. It's all connected and evolving. And rather than beating our heads
against the same wall it makes sense to me to simply shift our attention to moving with and directing the change and let what needs to fall, fall (easier said than done!). All the while we are creating and embodying the new environment. And I think this can all happen simultaneously and organically in our individual and community lives, both locally and globally. One big amoeba.

[glitch]

9. Reading Paul Hawkens and authors (Bill McKibbon, Amory Lovins, Frances Moore Lappe) keep me sane

and provide real hope for the future. :hi: