[Homestead] Healthy Harvest (was Re: Community, the importance of)

Jerry B liberty at kaballero.com
Mon Sep 29 17:08:07 EDT 2008


bob ford wrote:
> Jerry your post sounds great, but where do people actually work together like you describe.  Some of my relativess are in close-knit rural communities (with other kin, even) and except for big things on occasion, they rarely interact outside of church.
>
>  I agree that Sage is making good step in her community; but will this work in the average community, rural or not? ....bobford
>   
The two word answer is "Try it"

Work it out, observe, find the answers from down-to-earth experience and 
exigencies. It is not a question of subscribing to some body else's 
program. Every place, time and circumstance is different. Yet there are 
numerous down-to-earth examples and models around, one being provided in 
the links I posted. If one has sufficient interest in the topics, he or 
she will search them out and make their own judgments, and act 
accordingly. For it to 'work' requires far more than only abstract 
thinking and figuring it out in one's head, but observing, doing it, 
experiencing it.first hand.

I am not talking about any utopia or any set program of action, good for 
any and all time, every place, and everybody.  It could be called 
finding better ways of doing things, as situations change, and insight 
grows.

This particular working together involves jointly pooling knowledge and 
expertise to meet common needs and desires, in Sage's case, food.  Food 
here provides the motive to get together.   'Jobs' for many people meet 
this need by getting together and earning money to pay for it, and even 
getting together to purchase it.  Sage's group is apparently getting 
together to discuss and perhaps down the line, produce and distribute 
and work out methods of exchange and consumption in different ways than 
presently followed by most. Along-side present ways.  I doubt she 
considers replacing the supermarkets tomorrow, but who knows how much a 
benefit it might offer in days ahead if the supermarkets by any possible 
scenario, close.  But even now, the prospect of healthier, fresher food 
is an incentive to work this out, along with the getting to know one's 
neighbors.  Right, Sage?

Religion/(education/science/culture/philosophy/the arts) are not the 
only reason people congregate.  Another is Economics, jointly providing 
for our needs and desires. Government ... pluralities of persons getting 
together to determine, regulate and enforce human behavior is another 
reason persons congregate.  I happen to think that these three orders of 
our social life can be, and should be carefully delineated, and kept 
quite separate and distinct, each one having very different 
requirements, characteristics and functions. When they are not, well, 
consider the problems and confusion of today under the Largess of 
Government/Big Business/Public Education/Science/ even the Arts.  It 
probably would take more words for you to understand what I mean by 
these terms. But yes, I think the under lying observations and 
principles apply to even two persons interacting, or more within a 
family, small group or community, nationally, and even intra-nationally.

The general principles of 1) personal Freedom of thought and spirit,  2) 
Equality ... in vote and power on issues brought up to public discussion 
and regulation in government, strictly limited only to issues we all 
simply by being human share equally and the same, and 3) Fraternity in 
economics... free and voluntary association,  apply in any situation, 
time or place a plurality of person are involved. Yes, I think they work 
well in the average, or not so average community, a family,  rural or 
otherwise. There are down-to-earth examples of persons and groups of 
persons DOING  it.  We do not have to look beyond the headlines to see 
the confusion and result when all this is stirred together in one huge 
Pot called State or Government.  I greatly appreciate questions from 
anyone wanting to know how I see things.  Thanks.   Jerry B




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