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, July 16, 2011

Let's make money [6:47m video]

John Perkins provides a summary of what he learned as an economic hit man for banking institutions and reported in his book entitled, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. He chose this Mafia associated title intentionally because neo-liberal capitalism has functioned in a similar fashion with the notorious Mafia that used such tactics against their victims. This book is necessary reading for all activists.