We all know that the system is rigged. Because of corruption caused by cartels made up of moneyed individuals (Koch brothers, etc.), corporatist organizations (ALEC, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, NRA, etc.), and their propagandists (Heritage Foundation, AEI, CATO, etc.), we have a situation whereas our government has been rendered unresponsive to the demands of the citizenry, instead acting as a conduit for the transfer of wealth and power to what is essentially the American plutocracy.
This is hurting us. It's systematically tearing at our social fabric, dismantling the social safety net, harming our environment, purposely degrading education in order to dumb down the citizenry, dismantling the regulatory infrastructure that's supposed to protect us from predation and exploitation, and dividing us with the intention of turning us against each other. All being done with brutal efficiency in the name of greed.
And the strange thing about this is that the rigged system gets its power from our acquiescence to it. We are funding it; we are propping it up; we are voluntarily allowing it to exploit us. And the reason for it is because we are being manipulated into it...
You can bypass the rigged system and create your own, based on true market principles (instead of the one we have now based on predation), and on decency, and sustainability, and ethics, and compassion, and hard work, and intelligence, and collaboration.
You can start right now. Take one step, even if symbolic, or small, and then take the second step, and the third, and you'll notice that there will be a fellow next to you, taking those steps with you.
One of the most important things you can do is to start thinking about the ways you spend your money. That is key. Every time you spend one dollar at Walmart, or Target, or any of the labor-hostile big-box retailers you are acting against your own interests. Every time you transfer money to COMCAST, AT&T, Verizon, and the myriad corporations that fund ALEC-like cartels, you are funding the very mechanisms that are used against you, against your community, against the environment.
Everything is rigged. Employment? So now if you're over 50 nobody will hire you? Based you what? A real estate system rigged by criminal banks. A banking system rigged by criminal banksters. A government rigged by politicians on the take (of both parties).
I know a lot of people see all these problems, all these challenges, and they feel powerless; they think there is nothing that can be done about it. And that feeling generates frustration, anger, despair, disappointment.
They want you to feel like that (The Powers That Be). They want you to accept their framing of reality, which by the way, it happens to benefit them handsomely.
Stop. Think carefully. Make an assessment about the power you do have, and you'll start to identify possibilities. But if you really want to unclutter your mind, the first thing you should consider doing is stop watching TV, or at least decrease TV viewing as much as you can. That also applies to other (commercial) media, including radio, magazines, and newspapers. Because of corporate conglomeration, the mainstream media has become basically a highly effective propaganda machine that spreads false narratives, misinformation, hate, fear, tribalism, and lies (to a great extent). Being exposed (bombarded) by that trash 24/7 is extremely harmful to our humanity.
Let's take some actions together...
During the last few months I've been reaching out to people inviting them to join me in a nationwide network of activists. The response has been great! So far a little over 300 people have joined. Now I'm ready to take this initiative to the next step.
Now, as I've interacted with people, and as I've examined and studied the challenges we face, I've come to the conclusion that trying to act against the rigged system head on is not feasible nor doable at this point. Yes, I believe in grassroots activism, and about doing what we can to partake in the electoral process (politics), but that's not enough. We need to find ways to also act outside the rigged system. And as we do that, there is no need to focus on negative or confrontational stuff. People of good will, good hearts, strong ethics, can come together in harmony and help create a better word, one action at a time.
Jobs, Work, Income, Entrepreneurship
Let's form a referral network. If you are looking for a job, or if you want to offer freelance services, or if you are employer, let's connect and see how we can trade in goods and services.
I will make a commitment to buy something from members of the network, and to refer members to my friends, family, and associates.
One cause that's of extreme importance to me is helping spread the concept of employee-owned/employee-run businesses, so I'll focus some of my social activism on that. I will always reach out to others to help in spreading labor unions to every corner of this country.
Finally, I will collaborate with individuals, business owners and organizations that promote locally-owned businesses.
Housing
The other day I mentioned to my wife about a resource I ran into by doing some research, Cohousing communities. I explained the concept to her, and she seemed very interested in learning more. Anyways, it looks like it is something we will consider. She asked me to send her a link to their website, which I haven't done yet. I will send it to her today: The Cohousing Association of The United States.
Cohousing communities are old-fashioned neighborhoods created with a little ingenuity. They bring together the value of private homes with the benefits of more sustainable living. That means common facilities and good connections with neighbors. All in all, they stand as innovative answers to today's environmental and social problems.
As part of my activism, I will help spread the word (promote, advertise, marketing) about co-housing communities, housing co-ops, and similar housing alternatives.
Would you join me?
Food
I will do everything I can to promote sustainable food production and distribution practices. This include the promotion of organic food, local food production, farmers markets. I like what The Permaculture Institute is doing:
Permaculture is an ecological design system for sustainability in all aspects of human endeavor. It teaches us how build natural homes, grow our own food, restore diminished landscapes and ecosystems, catch rainwater, build communities and much more.
Take The First Step
We all know we can't completely stop buying stuff from big-box (anti-labor) retailers, or give up our iPhones (AT&T, Verizon), or stop watching TV (cold-turkey), or stop eating junk food, etc.
But there are many, many things you can do. You do have a lot of power. Think about it carefully, and you'll realize how much power you do have. It all starts with the decisions you make, day by day.
I'm only one person, but I promise you that if you join this initiative, I will do my best to buy from you (product or service), and/or to refer people to you. If you do the same for others who join, and we build the network to 5, 10, 100, 1,000 people, then it will start to look like a real marketplace--a marketplace not just of products and services, but of ideas for a better world, for a sustainable future.
In the coming days and weeks I will be reaching out to individuals and organizations interested in promoting sustainable living: work, food, housing. As I do, I will be adding content to The Market For The People website.
Be one of the pioneers and join me.
Each blue dot on the map below represents a member of a growing nation-wide network of social justice and anti-corruption activists committed to finding the best way forward. Join us in the effort!
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Ray Pensador |
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