Communal ism

[H2O Man]

“The memories of a Golden Age ...were genuine expressions of civilization and its discontents. Harking back to societies where women and men were more free with each other; where there was more singing and dancing; where there were no serfs and priest and kings.

“Projected into future time in Christian culture, this dream of the Millennium became the soil of many heresies. It is a dream handed down right to our own time – od ecological balance, classless society, social and economic freedom. It is actually one of the possible futures open to us. To those who stubbornly argue 'it's against human nature,' we can only patiently reply that you must know your own nature before you can say this. Those who have gone into their own natures deeply have, for several thousand years now, been reporting that we have nothing to fear if we are willing to train ourselves, to open up, explore and grow.”
Gary Snyder; Earth House Hold; New Directions Publishing; 1968.





I'm not an economist – in fact, I'm not gifted in hanging onto what little money I have acquired over the years. Hence, some of the OP/threads on the forum about socialism and capitalism are probably beyond my ability to participate in.

Earlier this week, I met with a group of high school students who have asked me to participate in a “mock trial” that their school holds annually, in which a defense industry is tried for the severe damage it did to the local environment. I invested two decades helping the residents of the neighborhood devastated by the 120 + acres toxic waste dump site the industry created. Hence, when I “testify” at the mock trial, the industry loses.

However, in federal court, the industry sued the US EPA and the three communities the toxic dump poisons, and won. The two students that I spoke with on Friday afternoon asked how this could be? Although I am aware that big money was definitely involved, I was at a loss to explain it, other than to suggest they read all the facts, and decide for themselves.

That same hesitant advice would hold true for people studying the current economic system. I view the current system as “the Machine” – a Roman Pentagon Empire that is systematically poisoning everything in the natural world …..the land, the water, the air, the plants, the animals, and people's minds. The inspired thought that brought forth the US Constitution has been lost, and the most corrupt of human beings are ruling the country.

I've read a thread that included discussion of if the Constitution would have to be changed to allow for “socialism.” Again the suggestion: read the Constitution – and there is absolutely nothing to suggest that. Study the past history and current events. We have a mixed economy, which allows for a significant amount of “socialism.” Consider who benefits the most from this. Look at federal court decisions which allow a defense industry to poison three communities, then bill them for the damages.

One of the most important decisions the Supreme Court made granted “personhood” to corporations. While I strongly disagree with that decision, I also believe that the rest of us – the “little people” – should study that Constitution and Constitutional Law (the decisions of the Supreme Court), and recognize the potential powers we can exercise as groups. While the Bill of Rights is largely geared towards individual rights, the entire Constitution does allow for group rights.

It is within this context that I subscribe to the ideology of communalism. Though I was never a hippie, I think that many of their core beliefs were a premonition of how people will need to organize in order to survive the inevitable decay of the Machine. In fact, if people take an objective look at the Machine now, I suspect they will see the process of decay is taking place now.

Just my opinion.

[tavalon]

1. I completely agree with you

I wasn't a hippie either, but I've been in a stable triad for a few years now and there are many groups forming around here. I think it will be the only sustainable way.

[H2O Man]

6. Right.

You use the key word -- "sustainable." Very important.

I think that such groups will have a greater ability to network with other similar, like-minded groups. This wil include trade networks which will be vital.

I have a lot of friends who were/are hippies. One couple spends, other than taxes, about $500 per year. Yet they have a comfortable lifestyle. Impressive gardens, too.

[99th_Monkey]

2. Nice post. Thank you.

K & R

:kick:

[H2O Man]

5. Thanks!

[mmonk]

3. The current ideology and manifestations of naked capitalism

with the no boundaries on supply side, Reaganomics, anti government, anti tax movement is not what the constitution was addressing. However, since supply side Reaganomics is in full control now of political discussions, it has been made so by its ideologues. The Constitution was drawn up during oppressive times where white landowners called the shots. But the document was fairly enlightened based on ancient democracy concepts intertwined with English legal precedents or common law. The right, unfortunately due to the lack of organized political dissent, seems to have convinced many that the Constitution is about Reaganomics. But many of the colonies which became states were operating on a different political economic model of commonwealth. The idea of a commonwealth is the wealth of the commons, not the current currents of a 21st century version of feudalism built on the wealth and desires of say, today's equivalent of the East India Tea company. We were ironically rebelling against both concentrated wealth and concentrated power. Hence the obsession with a Constitution multiplying and dividing power between branches of government and federal vs rights retained by states.

[H2O Man]

4. Yes, I definitely agree.

The OP/thread I was making reference to did not include anything similar to the absolutely accurate and important points that you raise.

[Zorra]

7. Do you know where and when that photo is from? Thanks. nt

[Zorra]

8. I'm pretty sure that is an old friend of mine.

[H2O Man]

9. It's George Harrison.

It's on the back lawn of the home he lived in in 1970, when the LP "All Things Must Past" was released, following the official break-up of The Beatles.

[Zorra]

12. Wow. In that photo he looks just like an old photographer friend of mine

that I haven't seen since 1978.

Same hat, boots, perfect landscape, and the photo is similar to his work.

The resemblance is amazing, but the picture is small.

Thanks, I was wondering about that all last night.

[tavalon]

10. Yours is an opinion I highly value, BTW.

I'm glad we didn't lose you in your big health scare.

Edited to add: my family has very disparate income flows and yet, socialism works really well for us. We each place our incomes in the community stream and take identical stipends. Of course, that is likely to be an easier buy in for a lower wage earner than a higher wage earner. I am the highest wage earner but I have a strong buy in to equality. I know in my previous family, it was a sore point for one of the others. So, I have grave doubts that what works for three will work a whole country.

[OneGrassRoot]

11. Couldn't agree more. K&R n/t