6. Turning to building local grassroots infrastructure
2nd May 2006
Posting 6. to the On the Ground category, by George Salzman
Bill Templer’s “The Last Taboo?”, his posting,
No. 20. to The Jewish-Israeli Lobby category
A principal arena in the struggle for liberation is in direct resistance to repression by governments and their corporate bedfellows, the giant capitalists. Equally important is the struggle to build our own grassroots infrastructure in opposition to the dominant infrastructure. This work I refer to as “On the Ground” efforts. Far less significant are the debates among academics and intellectuals on the precise meanings of words, who said what, what it means and how it might be misinterpreted by right-wing hatemongers. As an unregenerate “self-hating academic” (and a Jew), I am determined not to get sucked into such diversions, a variety of intellectual masturbation. Hence my “answer” to Bill Templer.
This preface is followed by my letter of 30 April 2006 to Bill Templer, which is at site.www.umb.edu/faculty/salzman_g/Strate/2006-04-30.htm.
May 14th, 2006 at 5:57 am
Hi George,
I have just finished reading your thoughts and priorities in developing a grassroots infrastructure. I have to agree, there are many distractions / hurdles placed in ones way!
Since our last contact, I have been working on a number of priorities, most of them closely aligned with your 1-4 list under “bringing down Capitalism”.
1. Do everything possible to avoid taxes.
I have been doing this now for some time having given up ‘paid’ work a number of years ago. I have been working around my local community basically doing labouring work in return for cash, food and the occassional bottle of red wine! Whilst many would consider me foolish, I also signed over my half share of the property I live in, to my partner who continues in paid work. I initially wanted to create a ‘trust’ for the property similar to the one you set up, but after some discussion with my partner it was clear that she was very much against the idea. Not surprisingly Anne is struggling with many of my new found approaches to life. This is perhaps one of the hardest things about following your beliefs, especially when you were once well and truly indoctrinated into the capitalist system in a previous life. Partners see the changes as they happen but frequently cannot understand why they are happening. For my part, I can say that for the first time in my life, I feel truly liberated! Breaking free from the erroneous myth that I ‘must own’ a piece of property to ensure my future security is so wonderful. At the same time, taking a stand against the system does at times make me feel very much alone, especially when it is impossible to get face to face contact with people who are taking the same path. And of course there is always a potential downside to my beliefs. Anne might ‘kick me out’ if she gets sick of my anarchist perspectives and I may find that I have nowhere to live! Well not entirely true. I do have a long bed utility vehicle that is carpetted and has a canopy. Life could become a real adventure! Alternatively, how’s the accomodation in Oaxaca George?
2. Build a vibrant “underground” economy.
As I mentioned, I have been involving myself in non commercial trading and mutual aid. This is not as easy as it sounds particularly in a well developed country like Australia. Fortumately there are a small number of people in our local rural community who share similar ideals, but despite this, work is spasmodic and certainly would not be sufficient to provide a means of survival. The vast majority in our small community are well and truly immersed in the consumer society and these people are extremely distrustful of anybody who proposes and or lives in an alternative way. To supplement the work I do I also grow vegetables on the property, am working on fruit trees and will shortly have chickens and pigs in place. There is even a good supply of wild rabbit and lots of Kangaroos hopping around! Whilst some of you reading this might be shocked to hear that Australians eat their national symbol, it actually tastes very, very good!
Whilst it is only in its early, formative stage, the potential to develop as you say George, a true local community structure, is entirely possible. It will take time, particulary to reverse the distrust that the Capitalist system has ingrained in so many people. I believe it will happen more rapidly as the Capitalist system starts to fall apart at the seams, which it appears to be doing with ever increasing pace as the days go by.
3. The deeding of private property to a trust.
Well I tried that one George but alas to no avail! I do hope that if I can continue to lead by example, Anne will gradually see that what I am doing really does bring about positive change and as a result, she will perhaps come to see just how the trusting of (her property) to a group of like minded people, could bring about a wider community benefit. Only time will tell.
4.Build a vibrant local and global grassroots communication and news network.
I have just finished putting together the CONTRARIETY web site along with the CONTRARIETY quarterly essay. The address is contrariety.au.com The site is aimed primarily at my local community as a means of lifting awareness of various global issues. It is only in its early stages of development but it will hopefully grow in line with world developments. The quarterly essay will be printed and circulated to interested parties in the township and placed on the counter of local shops and businesses. The author’s (Thomas Hinks) e-mail address is Thomas is a total recluse and I doubt very much if anyone will ever get to meet him face to face!
Well thats my progress to date. If there is anything I can do to help anybody in their own grassroots infrastructure development please let me know. By the way George, I will be sending as many e-mails / letters as I can out to the various people listed in Nancy’s message. If you know where I can get more e-mail addresses for the people listed, I would be very grateful.
Kindest Regards
Andrew
Talbot, Victoria, Australia