10 Things

Had this thought driving home tonight. I may have even generated this list before but here are 10 decisions that individuals (in North America) can make that I think would make a world of difference:


1) Move your money out of the big banks. Find a local credit union or caisse populaire instead. At the big banks profits from your money go to rich shareholders. With a credit union or caisse populaire you are a member and profits stay in the community. Members make decisions that decide how profits are spent and how funds are invested. Get involved in your credit union; don’t give your hard earned money to the banks of the rich.

2) Support democratic, transparent and local media. Since the corporate media represents the worst of journalism and corruption, more and more people are starting local media cooperatives. These groups need your involvement and your money. They don’t take money from advertisers and big corporations. This makes them credible and independent. They are the best investment you can make.

3) Minimize your contact with the global economy. All our dear leaders demand our allegiance to the global economy, sometimes shortened to merely the economy. It’s almost like we all have this family member who is a manic depressive and we have to all pray together that he stays happy. But what’s the goal of the global economy? How come we never ask that question? Is it to increase global greenhouse gas emissions to cook the planet? Sure looks that way. How about to turn all life into products (in other words dead)? Sure looks that way. A good start to escaping the clutches of the global economy is to . . .

4) Grow as much of your own food as you can. Start with potatoes, they are easy. Once you’ve gotten the basics down learn about fermenting, sprouting, preserving and canning. In case you are distracted and the weeds are growing . . .

5) Smash your television. Why are people paying to be advertised to? My crazy sister pays $70 a month for cable. Once the distraction is out of the way you should have more time for 4) above.

6) Make conscious decisions about how to donate. Most of us can probably set aside at least $100 for a worthy cause (or causes) each year. Then a tsunami strikes and we hand it over to the Red Cross in a knee jerk reaction. But is this the best use of your money? Only you can decide but I’m much happier giving it to Democracy Now! or the Halifax Media Coop (see 2) above).

7) Work less. Most of us hate our jobs, hate selling our labour. Selling our labour is very different from working, which is inherent in every organism. When you sell your labour someone tells you what to do, where to sit and how much you’ll be paid. Money is just energy, your energy, embodied in tiny pieces of paper or digits on a screen. Why not decide how you want to devote your energy? Working less gives you this chance.

8) Concentrate your political energy on the local. Engage with your municipality and work for change at this level. Politicians at the provincial and national level are bought and sold by big corporations and their ‘security’ keeps them well away from people like you. In other words they don’t listen. Local politicians in contrast live in your neighbourhood and, without party machines greased by big money, if they don’t listen you can actually throw them out. It’s also very possible for citizens to sit on local committees to guide elected officials. This is not the case provincially and federally where only experts and bought and sold politicians need apply.

9) Make time for human connections. Despite the rise of Facebook, people still like other people and want to be around them. Humans are social animals. Hold weekly potlucks with friends. Organize a monthly bike ride (no politics or conflict). Start a reading club. Coach soccer. Just be with other people. You’ll be happier for it.

10) So it’s too late and I’m off to bed. Any suggestions for #10? Use the comments button below.