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A Broken Economy Seeking Social Recovery
It is obvious that there is a need for some type of reform as a result of our economic downturn. It should be equally understood that this deflation in our economy has been a consistent and progressive one. When we honestly evaluate this persistence of regression it should be apparent that the current system has failed us. It has only been recently, that people have begun to question the validity of a system that does not meet our best interests. Unfortunately we all live under a system that we believed at one time would work. This is not a question we ever intended on pursuing. We all grew up together with the idea that if we had enough ambition and worked hard, this land we lived in was full of opportunity. There are still many who feel they have achieved much of this dream, and seldom wish to entertain the reality of those less unfortunate. The time has come, when no one can ignore the reality that exists. Everyone knows something is not right when we compare the technological advances we’ve made, to how little our progress has been to alleviate the suffering that is becoming ever increasing and so obvious to see. As a nation and even a global society, we are beginning to wake up and question our mode of living.
In America, we are beginning to look towards a solution, but we can also recognize it as a global problem as well. We are finding out that our economic dilemma is not unique to the rest of the world. America has always been a leader in the field of democracy, but we have recently discovered our values are inconsistent with the vision from which our founding fathers used to form this great nation. It appears frustration and blame have replaced our overall unity that divides us to the point, where we find little hope of returning to the foundations of our heritage. When democracy becomes a questionable substitute for a socialistic or communistic society, we must ask ourselves how it could be? There is no doubt that a democracy has within it, the necessary elements to implement human dignity and equal rights, so what has happened to the structure that inhibits its success?
The answer is clear, we have lost the ability to work as a democratic society. We have slowly evolved into a society where greed has been able to systematically implement a different set of rules. Our democratic power is overshadowed by the power of the elite few in big business. Plain and simple, Capitalism has replaced Democracy! I am not the first to scream this out loud, and I will not be the last to mention it. This did not happen overnight, but it is the reality of the times. In this day all over the world the well-being of the majority of lives, rests in the hands of a minority. The majority does not wish to choose poverty, war, and disease! This is a fact, if you choose to ignore this reality and truth, then you are lying to yourself. This is a bad dream that we must wake up from. Social recovery is possible when we begin to question the reason that got us here. There is truly no relevancy in contemplating individual blame, for it is the system that has failed us.
Beginning a social recovery begins with each individual. No one can claim immunity from this catastrophic displacement we find ourselves in. We will be unable to sustain our culture if things continue as they are. The good news is, there are movements that are already established and more to follow, that will detour further destruction caused by this broken system. It is time to reclaim our rights as individuals, by joining in universal agreement that our voice does matter. Based on the simple right to the pursuit of happiness, we can no longer allow a greed based system to dictate what is important any longer. Change is imminent, the sooner we join the solution, the quicker it can occur. First of all we must be educated to the current circumstances, and be willing to spread the truth. It is nothing but the truth we need as our guide. It is within the compassion of everyone’s heart that will lead us. When we all agree on common dignity and our right to live in a better world, we will be on our way!
I am going to illustrate movements that have already begun. I will trust that anyone willing to help with making a better world will take it from there. Do not let anything or anybody discourage your belief that change can happen. Remember the powerful people in this world have much to lose, and you may find many obstacles in your journey. You will find an abundance of help along the way, and learn about the mass of people behind you. There is great power in the majority of like minds, and it will not take you long before you realize the pursuit is worthwhile. Ask yourself one question; How much is human dignity worth? How much effort are you willing to give, when you are helping in putting people back to work? How much is it worth to live on a healthy planet, with clean energy, clean air, and non-polluted rivers? Do not be a skeptic, be a part of the solution.
Here is a list of the movements I know of at this time, you may find others or develop others, but all can work together on common ground. There is many videos that can be found on theses movements also, they are very enlightening and inspiring. Descriptions are taken from each movements website
The Venus Project;
http://www.thevenusproject.com/ there is a video on main page.
Lookup Jacque Fresco: Futurist on www.youtube.com
The Venus Project reflects the culmination of Mr. Fresco's life work: the integration of the best of science and technology into a comprehensive plan for a new society based on human and environmental concern. It is a global vision of hope for the future of humankind in our technological age.
The Venus Project ideology is based on a Resource Based Economy;
A resource-based economy would utilize existing resources from the land and sea, physical equipment, industrial plants, etc. to enhance the lives of the total population. In an economy based on resources rather than money, we could easily produce all of the necessities of life and provide a high standard of living for all.
We must emphasize that this approach to global governance has nothing whatever in common with the present aims of an elite to form a world government with themselves and large corporations at the helm, and the vast majority of the world's population subservient to them. Our vision of globalization empowers each and every person on the planet to be the best they can be, not to live in abject subjugation to a corporate governing body.
Democracy at Work;
http://www.democracyatwork.info/ video on page Look up Richard Wolff on www.youtube.com for an enlightening lecture!
Democracy at Work is a project, begun in 2010, that aims to build a social movement. The movement’s goal is transitioning to a new society whose productive enterprises (offices, factories, and stores) will mostly be Worker Self Directed Enterprises (WSDE’s), a true economic democracy. The WSDEs would partner equally with similarly organized residential communities they interact with at the local, regional, and national levels (and hopefully international as well). That partnership would form the basis of genuine participatory democracy. Workers’ Self-Directed Enterprises (WSDE’s): WSDE’s are enterprises in which all the workers who collaborate to produce its outputs also serve together, collectively as its board of directors. Each worker in any WSDE thus has two job descriptions: (1) a particular task in the enterprise’s division of labor, and (2) full participation in the directorial decisions governing what, how and where to produce and how to use the enterprise’s surplus or profits.
The Zeitgeist Movement;
http://www.thezeitgeistmovement.com/ radio cast on page
Lookup, Peter Joseph lectures on www.youtube.com
Mission Statement
Founded in 2008, The Zeitgeist Movement is a Sustainability Advocacy Organization which conducts community based activism and awareness actions through a network of Global/Regional Chapters, Project Teams, Annual Events, Media and Charity Work.
The Movement's principle focus includes the recognition that the majority of the social problems which plague the human species at this time are not the sole result of some institutional corruption, scarcity, a political policy, a flaw of "human nature" or other commonly held assumptions of causality. The range of The Movement's Activism & Awareness Campaigns extend from short to long term, with the model based explicitly on non-violent methods of communication. The long term view, which is the transition into a new social system, is a constant pursuit and expression, as stated before. However, in the path to get there, The Movement also recognizes the need for transitional Reform techniques, along with direct Community Support.
Thrive Movement;
http://www.thrivemovement.com/ video on page broadcast in multiple languages
The solution strategies presented here are based on years of consulting with historians, visionaries, and experts in all of the 12 Sectors. They offer promising possibilities for creating a world in which nobody’s rights are violated and every person has the opportunity to thrive.
Because such profound change cannot happen all at once, there are three overlapping stages of the solution process: Stage One: Bringing integrity and healing to our current condition; Stage Two: limiting government control to the protection of individual rights and the commons; and Stage Three: living solely by voluntary cooperation – rules, but no rulers.
I imagine a world where each being is free to act according to his or her inner guidance, provided there is no violation of any other’s person or property. Vision By Foster Gamble
Although most of my concentration is focused on individual awareness and attainment, I am becoming increasingly involved with social reform. I would be pleased to hear from anyone who wishes to collaborate on this topic. You may contact me through my website
http://reachyourdreams.weebly.com/contact.html
Those who create harmony in their own lives, can pave the path for the race to follow.
Rolley Hurley(c) 2011 - all rights reserved
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