We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Saturday, November 29, 2014

New video: "The corporate lobby tour"

Click here if you wish to directly access the 10:24m video and introduction from Corporate Europe Observatory.

Following WWII the people of Europe were sold on the idea that integrating their governments into a greater European union would benefit everyone. What they didn't realize that this was a clever plan to weaken any democratic influence in various European countries if favor of a centralized government that would be easily susceptible to influence by Western corporations. 
Sometimes stories in the news can make you wonder who is really pulling the strings. This 10-minute video exposes the role corporate lobby groups have in EU decision-making – who they are, how they get what they want, and how they affect you, and others like you all over Europe, from the food on your plate, to rules for bankers, to the chemicals allowed in everyday products. Watch, learn, and share!