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Forum Post: Gar Alperovitz on Workplace Democracy

Posted 11 years ago on Oct. 20, 2013, 1:55 p.m. EST by struggleforfreedom80 (6584)
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22 Comments

22 Comments


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[-] 4 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

''The Lies That Will Kill America'', by Bill Moyers and Michael Winship :

''Ignorance will kill democracy as surely as the big money that funds and encourages the media outlets, parties and individuals who spew the lies and hate. The ground is all too fertile for those who will only believe whatever best fits their resentment or particular brand of paranoia. It is, as an old song lyric goes, “the self-deception that believes the lie.” The truth will set us free; the lie will make prisoners of us all.''

Thanx for the enlightening Alperovitz video & in compliment, I append : http://www.garalperovitz.com/ .

fiat lux ...

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[-] 2 points by HCHC4 (-28) 11 years ago

http://www.coopdirectory.org/directory.htm

A great link with lots of local groups that you can support in any community across the country.

[-] 3 points by beautifulworld (23822) 11 years ago

That is an awesome link. Some coops I use, personally, are there. It would be good for them to add additional non-food type coops, like the many financial ones that exist today.

[-] 0 points by HCHC4 (-28) 11 years ago

I'm trying to find an all inclusive one, not having much luck.

[-] 3 points by beautifulworld (23822) 11 years ago

Here's a good link for cooperative banks or credit unions:

http://thecommunitybanker.com/cu_links/

My very small coop bank is listed so it's pretty thorough.

[-] 2 points by struggleforfreedom80 (6584) 11 years ago

Thanks for the link.

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[-] 0 points by shoozTroll (17632) 11 years ago

Hasn't that always been the GOP solution??

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[-] 1 points by Copiosis (19) 11 years ago

Gar is for sure onto something. Coops (in whatever forms) seem to be more stable forms of operating organizations than other alternatives. I doubt thought that such structures can completely replace existing entities considering the status quo's momentum, simply because the status quo offers too many incentives to keep things as they are, despite the fact that the status quo is crumbling.

A system that could support such structures would also have to provide inherent controls such that behavior within those structures is organized only for beneficial ends - including stewardship of the environment. It would be great if such a structure also:

  1. eliminated the debt of all citizens
  2. abolished the financial industry
  3. neutered government, while boosting public services in ways never seen before
  4. made basic food, clothing, healthcare, education and basic shelter available to all citizens

The kind of civilization/structure Gar is talking about emerging sounds similar to Copiosis, which promises these four things and converts all private companies into coops. There's a saying in Buddhism that goes something like "when the student is ready, the master appears." I wonder if that's true too for innovative systems.....

[-] 1 points by Renneye (3874) 11 years ago

Definitely merits a good look!

www.copiosis.com

...and Thank you!

[-] -3 points by HCHC4 (-28) 11 years ago

""when the student is ready, the master appears." "

Thats a good one, and prob very true. We aren't ready here yet, hence we dont have anyone really any kind of a charge. Occupy as a whole did for a minute, but the "status quo" took care of that pretty easily.

Who would have ever thought we'd end up in a time where entrepreneurship was the most stable way to get by!!

[-] 0 points by Copiosis (19) 11 years ago

I know, right? It's great that Occupy brought things to the forefront, but you're right, the establishment handled it pretty....uh...handily....

That's why I don't think "revolutions" will work. They're just too easy to quash. What can work I think, are solutions that make everybody better, not just the 99%. I know that may be controversial here on this site, but I think we have to embrace everyone as a unified species if we're going to make it. And I would like us to make it :-)

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[-] 3 points by struggleforfreedom80 (6584) 11 years ago

Ok.

And this is how we deal with trolls/ shills

1. vote them down.

2. don't answer/respond.

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[-] 0 points by turbocharger (1756) 9 years ago

Gar is a member of the Green Shadow Cabinet.

[-] -1 points by HCHC4 (-28) 11 years ago

Thank you for turning me onto this gentleman. I have listened to a ton of his speaking engagements since then, and have really enjoyed them.

[-] 3 points by struggleforfreedom80 (6584) 11 years ago

No problem. Also check out these two videos where NC explains why deregulation/right-libertarianism is bullshit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHJCLErHORI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwQEgOKEEXI

[-] -3 points by HCHC4 (-28) 11 years ago

Yes, I've watched both those before. It comes down to, imo, who is making the regulations. In a participatory democracy, there would be massive deregulating of things, due to the nature of self governing.

Either system- SL or RL - is primed for takeover if the people dont participate. Lead to where we are now. Its why I think decentralization is the key, in any system, because when it gets too far its out of sight, outta mind.

Now would I ever suggest eliminating all regulations that the local power company has? Absolutely not. Would I advocate removing the barriers to entry that they have created over 50+ years? Hell yes.

As I watch the presidents speech right now, I watch the people behind him. These people want to believe, they really do. They want to think that someone out there is working to take care of them. They havent realized yet that the best chance of taking care of themselves is to get involved, and that the corrupt always work 10X harder to get to power than, say, those that put in work during occupy.

They are filled with much more hope than they are caution. After this rally, they all go home to their community. This guy gets on a private jet and flies back to DC, out of sight and outta mind.

And the people will go home thinking that everyone is fine, even though all they did was attend a rally.

And I really think thats the key. People have to be involved. They have to be REALLY involved.