FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT
GLOBALIZATION
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WHAT CAN I DO AS AN INDIVIDUAL? In the last section, we learned that T.I.N.A. (There Is No Alternative) is false. The next myth to debunk is that corporate rule is inevitable, and that there is nothing that the average person can do about it. Both of these claims are nothing but self-fullfilling prophecies - false gods and ghosts that vanish when we refuse to believe in them. Neos use these myths because people are easily controlled when people feel powerless. If you feel like your actions are too small to make a difference, just remind yourself - what makes the world the way it is in the first place? The actions of ordinary people like you! The fact that neos want you to be hopeless is proof of how powerful your actions can be. And once one person shows that they can change their way of doing things, others will want to follow. In fact, citizens have already been making changes, but the corporate media tends not to focus on them. Yes, you CAN be an activist without being tear gassed! The better world is alive
right now, waiting for you to participate. Here are some examples of
everyday activism you can do to make the world a better place: Step one: Volunteer, donate to, and vote for fair-trade candidates. In the USA, the front-running democratic candidate, General Wesley Clark is calling for an alternative globalization that includes environmental and labor standards in trade agreements, and standing up to China's currency manipulation. Here are some ways to help Clark beat Bush: 1. Learn about American politics, and the strategies and tactics involved in winning American voters. http://www.emergingdemocraticmajority.com has lots of info, see especially the strategy section. Help make sure that Americans CAN vote, by helping the campaign at http://www.blackboxvoting.org 2. Do you meet with an organization that hates Bush? If not, join one, if so, try to get them involved in the US election. 4. Donate to American organizations that will fight Bush in the election. This means NGOs that buy ads and register voters, alternative media, and so on. Raise money by selling your old junk, cutting spending, or getting a second job. Some organizations: http://www.stopbushin2004.com./current_actions.htm 5. Plan a volunteering vacation in an American swing state. Find democrats there you can stay with, and organizations to volunteer for. 6. Use the internet to invade American message boards, forums, and chats, especially ones in swing states. Disrupt the pro-bush propagandists, and provide links to alternative media. 7. Write to companies that donate to the republicans, such as Shell Oil, and tell them you've boycotted their products. Write to companies that donate to Democrats to praise them and tell them that you've started buying their products now. See who donates what at: http://www.opensecrets.org 8. Write to the American media, and tell them that you're boycotting their advertisers because of their pro-Bush bias. Just look at what ads are on their website, and tell them you're boycotting those. Here are the top 100 US newspapers, start at the top and work your way down: http://www.freep.com/jobspage/links/top100.htm Here is some more media contact info: http://www.takebackthemedia.org/directories.html http://www.takebackthemedia.org/press-corps.html 8. Make an anti-Bush blog or website. It doesn't need to be origional. Just copy and paste things stuff, and link to every other anti-Bush site. Blogs (Web logs) are very easy to make, sign up at http://www.forclark.com/Step two: to quote a protest sign, "just stop buying the sh!t". There are many reasons to go outside the neo-owned corporate economy. 1. You'll feel a lot better knowing that you're not collaborating with neoism. 2. You'll be helping decent, non-neo people prosper. 3. Corporations will either have to reform in order to entice us back, or may even collapse and be replaced entirely. 4. Dupes of neos won't be able to confuse debates by accusing you of being a "hypocrite". 5. You won't even need to be arrested or breathe tear gas. 6. If overthrowing capitalism is your cup of tea, this way the replacement will have already been tried and tested. 7. People will realize that There ARE Alternatives and that Another World Is Possible. Try to shop only at Fair Trade shops, or Co-ops. See also: Co-op Life and Cooperative org. Buy Ecological Goods. Cancel your bank account and put your money in a Credit Union. (American site). To find one near you, go to google and type "credit union" and your city or area. Look into Socially Responsible Investing. See if you can participate in a local currency system, or organize one. Some tested systems are: Ithica H.O.U.R.S., Time Dollars, and L.E.T.S.. Beat the utility companies with Home Power. To cut pollution and climate change, help farmers, and beat the oil corporations, use a Bio Desiel. vehicle. Some links: Grease Car! | Grease Monkey Conversions | Veggie Van! | World Energy. See if you can join or organize a Community Land Trust. Beat Monsanto Corporation by growing your own food. Better yet, join or organize a Community Garden. See if you can achieve a Car Free Community. Join an Eco Village or an Intentional Community. Stop overpopulation with Adoption. Send your children to an Alternative School. Support and participate in Community Radio. Americans can beat the HMOs by joining or supporting a co-operative local health care system.. Beat the meat and livestock industry by using less animal products. Live with less. After working at a standard job to get enough money to survive, you can either donate the extra money, or volunteer your time. The above links lead to legally chairitable organizations, which means tax deductions (less money for bombers) and a good resume. (Political organizations will get a lot more done though.) You might even want a Non-Profit Career. |
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