Be Radical, think radically
Be radical, think radically. Let us have the courage to shift our focus away from pure Economics to rebuilding a lost and broken society. We all need to re-shape our society first by focusing on the specific qualities and values that we, the collective desire to see being born. From new beginn... more
Be radical, think radically. Let us have the courage to shift our focus away from pure Economics to rebuilding a lost and broken society. We all need to re-shape our society first by focusing on the specific qualities and values that we, the collective desire to see being born. From new beginnings leaders WILL emerge – not politicians. Leaders driven by the will of the people, who act with passion on behalf of the people, not with a personal agenda, but for the good of all. Our collective focus has been on money for far too long and it’s not working anymore. Let’s face it, the economy will tumble, will crash, those who created the problem cannot be relied upon to emerge with solutions and there is no outside help coming to the rescue. Wake up! It is inevitable, limited resources mean just that - limited!. The old, broken, distorted, corrupt and toxic economic, monetary & financial systems must crumble and fall away to make way for the new. A new paradigm must now be born. It seems like a huge paradox but the quicker we shift our attention away from money, the quicker we will recover as a society.
How?? Let me start by suggesting just ONE very basic first step and remember it does not involve MONEY for anyone! This is not about making a quick buck, it is about “how can I help”. Set up a National exchange website. Anyone, anywhere, in any field of expertise, trade or profession, register TO BE OF SERVICE. Criteria for registration – a willing to help someone else, for free! Yes, I did say radical. I register my name and what I can do and how many hours a week I am willing to give. Imagine now, thousands of willing participants from all our the country, from all walks of life, it matters not if you are working, not working, retired – if you are just willing to help someone else for free, that’s all that is required. People everywhere who have a need - that your skill, willingness, expertise, advice or profession can provide – will log on to the site and check the available free resources on offer!. Now, we have things moving again, shaky and uncertain at first, but moving. Energy being pumped back into the system, sharing, creativity, support, help – whether you are struggling with an existing business or starting a new one, whether you need social or educational support services that budgets no longer provide for – there is no limit to the areas of our society that will be positively impacted by this initiative. No one can ask anymore – what’s in it for me. Instead the only question is – How can I help?
Step TWO: So you need money to live?. But how much is enough and what do you need it for? Instead of focusing on how much more do I need, ask yourself how much more can I do without. Don’t wait on the 4-year plan to decide how to take care of you and your family. Start now, where you need to start. Examine EVERY item of expenditure in all areas of your life and ask yourself if you really need to spend in this area. Be radical here too. Deal with cosmetic and superfluous spending first – just get rid of it. Now look at Insurance, Health Care, Pensions, Banking (fees, interest, credit cards), Education, Subscriptions, Clubs & Memberships– everything. Ask yourself “to whom or what am I distributing my earnings, my hard-earned cash”. Everytime you determine that something must stay and can’t be done without, ask yourself why – why do I need believe I need that. A portion of all spending is fear-based spending, in fear that something might happen, you spend money to protect against it. Get serious about challenging even the so called – must haves! Example, children’s education. Why is everyone willing agreeing to spend money on new editions of school books each year, hundreds of euros when there are more than enough books currently in circulation to cover the entire curriculum year after year. School uniforms with special expensive logos?, just say No.!
This is just a suggested starting point. Collectively, we have thousand of ideas to share to make effective change happen. We must BE THE CHANGE we want to see. BE IT, the time is now!
Tony Pratschke
I support Audrey Kirwans two pillars. In fact, the first one, "how can I help" has already begun in a smaller way. The web site, <www.boardmatchireland.ie> is helping to match people with the relevant skills to community, volunteer, and related institutions and it is working well!
ALa
LETS is a good system David. The people working in the Revenue Commissioners are good people, many of whom disagree with what is happening in this country. Let us all work to defeat the corruption of the few rich people destroying this country.
DavidTaylor
Mimi
Search the web for 'LETS' systems. There are a few in place around Ireland, many more in the UK and Switzerland has the long-established 'WIR' system.
I hope what you're looking for (and with which I totally agree) will naturally emerge, given the emasculation of the working population of this country by politicians and their handlers.
The Revenue Commissioners won't like it but who likes them? ;))
Mimi
I question the idea of helping out for free. While I think there is a place in everybody's life for volunteer work, why should we not get some kind of compensation in kind for work we do. It does not have to be in Euro, it can be in trade. On a simple level it would go like this: A builder is not getting enough work to afford child care. A person who has the time to look after a child need work done on their house. These people could be brought together and negotiate some sort of exchange.
In a ... more
I question the idea of helping out for free. While I think there is a place in everybody's life for volunteer work, why should we not get some kind of compensation in kind for work we do. It does not have to be in Euro, it can be in trade. On a simple level it would go like this: A builder is not getting enough work to afford child care. A person who has the time to look after a child need work done on their house. These people could be brought together and negotiate some sort of exchange.
In a more sophisticated scenario, a website is put together advertising both services provided and services needed. There would be a medium of exchange for services. Perhaps time units maintained and recorded, and usable as exchange for services and/or goods. The Swiss WIR system is perhaps the most successful example of this, but there are many.
Our efforts and talents and intelligence are valuable. Let's not give it away for free when trading goods and exchanging services in this alternative way can bring energy and movement to a stagnant economy.
Caomhan Murphy
It's good to know there are so many people out there who value the things that are most important and are always free - empathy, sharing, helping, a commitment to the common good, ethics... This first idea will could foster a framework to allow people to put those things into action. Surely that is basis for better living ? TO BE OF SERVICE are important words to be actioned. There are many people who try to work and live like this (for fair reward) but who grew despondent in the last decade at the seemi... more
It's good to know there are so many people out there who value the things that are most important and are always free - empathy, sharing, helping, a commitment to the common good, ethics... This first idea will could foster a framework to allow people to put those things into action. Surely that is basis for better living ? TO BE OF SERVICE are important words to be actioned. There are many people who try to work and live like this (for fair reward) but who grew despondent in the last decade at the seemingly mammoth task of trying to swim in the opposite direction of the tide.
Vanessa O' Sullivan
We also need to act radical. Call a protest after this conference
Ciaran Campbell
Audrey
Appreciate your update and your explanation of where you are coming from. Whilst I have nothing against individuals empowering themselves in a positive way that provides for stronger community ethos I cannot accept that societal change is possible without a direct link to political and thus economical change that not only redistibrutes the wealth equally but ensures that this is always the case because in exercising wealth distribution properly it does away with the wealthy! What I am worried a... more
Audrey
Appreciate your update and your explanation of where you are coming from. Whilst I have nothing against individuals empowering themselves in a positive way that provides for stronger community ethos I cannot accept that societal change is possible without a direct link to political and thus economical change that not only redistibrutes the wealth equally but ensures that this is always the case because in exercising wealth distribution properly it does away with the wealthy! What I am worried about is that simply concentrating on how we behave with/to one another people will think that we can deliver a changed society. We can't. We need to encourage real participative democracy that tackles where we want society to be, how we are going to get there and curtail those that oppose the same by drawing them into the process whereby they have to accept ownership of the same. I do not want to make representations to the current political elite who are socially protected by their educationally and financially powerful comrades - the bankers, the developers, the accountants, the legal system and the rich. I want to get rid of the very system that provides their position and power. To do so requires replacing it with a true democracy which when operational will ensure that central and key to how we do our business as individuals is for the collective good. Sorry folks but I cannot attend the Dublin but I sincerely wish it the best and really hope that a social activist movement willing to politically educate and drive a socialist agenda on our people will result. Adh mhor.
DavidTaylor
Good ideas, well put Audrey. I've already done what you suggest in step two: deliberately cut my wage and working hours, downsized everything. The trouble is, I end up busier as I can now get on with stuff that's been put off for years!
I would question peoples' need for so much money. Once you're out of debt (which is one of the most liberating things you can do), you actually need very little money.
sham.
This year i grew peppers from seed and i was reassured when i saw them develop and mature as programmed by their nature.All i had to do was provide the conditions i.e. basic nutrients and enjoy watching them fulfill their potential.The scientific knowledge underpinning how Human Beings grow and develop and in particular the conditions required to achieve their full potential are well known and documented but sadly to date have not permeated our Policy Makers.There may be a Deafness or Blindness within ou... more
This year i grew peppers from seed and i was reassured when i saw them develop and mature as programmed by their nature.All i had to do was provide the conditions i.e. basic nutrients and enjoy watching them fulfill their potential.The scientific knowledge underpinning how Human Beings grow and develop and in particular the conditions required to achieve their full potential are well known and documented but sadly to date have not permeated our Policy Makers.There may be a Deafness or Blindness within our society / culture / species caused by an' addiction' / obsession / preoccupation with money,power,status and transitory fascination with material objects to the detriment of our Mental Health.Our genetic make up is driving us towards a greater evolution of conciousness but we are being held back by the current structures of society.Neuroscience and some models of Psychotherapy can inform us and are being applied in realigning dysfunctional behaviours. The emotions underlying dysfunctional behaviours in the mentally ill are similar to those that inhabit the Great and the Good and differ only in degree.Managing these emotions through education at pre school stage can transform our lives and therefore our society / culture / species.
marie aherne
Ciaran I hope I meet you at 'Claiming our Future' as Everything I read fro you makes so much sense. I am not against volunteering one's time and expertise but only where it is for ones personal satisfaction. I am full time unpaid Project Director of ALa Community Theatre. I get great personal satisfaction from doing it and hope that people benefit from involvement in it. What I disagree with is the replacement, due to cutbacks, of paid staff in many organisations by voluneers. Many of these volunteers ha... more
Ciaran I hope I meet you at 'Claiming our Future' as Everything I read fro you makes so much sense. I am not against volunteering one's time and expertise but only where it is for ones personal satisfaction. I am full time unpaid Project Director of ALa Community Theatre. I get great personal satisfaction from doing it and hope that people benefit from involvement in it. What I disagree with is the replacement, due to cutbacks, of paid staff in many organisations by voluneers. Many of these volunteers have themselves lost their jobs. I wonder how many of the 1% who own over 35% of the wealth of the nation volunteer their services.
Radical for me means to demand the equal distribution of the wealth of the nation not giving ones time and expertise for nothing. Along with the re-enactment of Keatings legislation and it being applied to all our natural resources the Community Platform have it right in calling on Minister Lenihan to:
1. Reduce tax breaks for the wealthy to EU levels
2. Introduce a Property Wealth Tax for high earners with assets worth more than €1million
3. End Tax Exile loopholes by making citizenship the basis for taxation for high earners
4. Apply PRSI and income levies to all income, regardless of source
Jim
Audrey Kirwan
Ciaran, my idea, consciously did not address the political dimension and current structures - deliberately so. Other ideas presented have addressed that issue very well. My personal view is that as individuals, in focusing on how we can help one another, we move forward as a society - as simple as that. Also, knowing that we can help ourselves through personal choice is empowering on an indiviudal level. These suggestions aim to address just a small aspect of what we all know is a very big problem.
Ciaran Campbell
Appreciate the underlying motive and humanistic message but it clearly does not go far enough in terms of actual societal change. Whilst it might radicalise us in terms of how we treat each other and our individual needs, it does nothing to actually radicalise our governance which despite all that we might think requires a certain amount of economic analyses and vision. In fact I feel your suggestions are potentially contradictory in that you state 'energy back into the system'. The system - the capitali... more
Appreciate the underlying motive and humanistic message but it clearly does not go far enough in terms of actual societal change. Whilst it might radicalise us in terms of how we treat each other and our individual needs, it does nothing to actually radicalise our governance which despite all that we might think requires a certain amount of economic analyses and vision. In fact I feel your suggestions are potentially contradictory in that you state 'energy back into the system'. The system - the capitalist economy - has crashed, tumbled!!! It doesn't need fixed by admirable volunteering. It needs to be smashed and in its place put a real people driven society where its economy is based on human needs - health, education, leisure, culture and above all employment that provides for society's good, not the individual greed. This is what I feared about 'Claiming our Future'! We should be about more than a vehicle for maintaining the politcal and thus the societal status quo by appealing to our inherent goodwill and good nature. We need to radicalise how we think politically, how we behave socially and how we plan and spend economically. All three go together. I also feel that your penumltimate paragraph (STEP TWO) - whilst laudable and well intentioned - could be misinterpreted as patronising and condescending to the point of being a lecture. All in all I just get the impression your suggestions are too individualistic and simplistic. As for being radical - I am not too sure either. They seem to suggest a return to what previous Irish society was like where appcraibly there was a stronger community ethos and for which I personally have no problem with but...there is a lack of policital dimension. That said it is top of the charts in terms of votes. Well done. As for me I pine where we are going with where we want to be with this lack of political development!
Emer Cloherty
the skill sharing idea is a wonderful idea. but it will only work if we can find a way to avoid being penalisied by the 'system'. those who are unemployed and reciept of social welfare payments can denied these payments if they are not 'availible for work'. and the department includes volunteering in this. we need to challange this, to make them distinguish between un-employed to un-waged.
Rita McGuinness
I consider both suggestions excellent. the second needs courage but knowing that others have done it or are doing it can often provide the motivation.
Sinead Greenan
Beautiful idea! I am always wondering why with so many unemployed at the moment can we not organize collective action, volunteering, community development etc
I'm sure their are a lot of people who having worked most of their lives are now feeling underutilised, bored and frustrated. By giving up some of their time to help neighbors and benefit the community, they will not only bring structure back to their lives, feel needed, feel a sense of accomplishment and as well as everything I'm sure future empl... more
Beautiful idea! I am always wondering why with so many unemployed at the moment can we not organize collective action, volunteering, community development etc
I'm sure their are a lot of people who having worked most of their lives are now feeling underutilised, bored and frustrated. By giving up some of their time to help neighbors and benefit the community, they will not only bring structure back to their lives, feel needed, feel a sense of accomplishment and as well as everything I'm sure future employers would look favorably on someone who has utilised their skills and knowledge base!
Audrey Kirwan
Great. That's what we need, ACTION. I am happy to share the ideas I have about design structure & layout (from a business view point). My expertise is in business/project management. Happy to help you in any way I can. I thought maybe a name like "Resource Network" or something akin would help people find it, but detail like that can be finalised later. Feel free to contact me directly if you want my help. Audrey. [email protected]
Contact.ie
I've just registered the name www.cabhair.org (it's Irish for "help") and will have a shot at making this kind of a site in the next couple of weeks.
Contact.ie
Audrey,
This is an excellent idea, one that I am going to try to put into practice (as a web-designer). The skills that I can offer for free are web and graphic design, so I might have a look at trying to get a site like that started. Hopefully others will post their skillset asap.
Anonymous
Great idea, we need to shift from living in an economy to living in a society!
Anonymous
Great idea, we need to shift from living in an economy to living in a society!