Thanks to our colleague Kevin Carson at the Free Market Anti-Capitalist blog, we found a report from the web log The Oil Drum written by Jason Bradford and dated March 4th. {Click on the web log name to read the report.}
This deals with a project in Mendo, California called Mendo Credits. In effect, it is a local currency similar to the BerkShares project in western Massachusetts. However, the Mendo Credits can be redeemed for beans, wheat and rice. It is a legal, debt-free alternative to the fiat-based currency used in America.
This is another example of Distributist principles put into action on the local level. There's been positive reaction to this project, as there has been with BerkShares. Mr. Bradford's report alone has generated 141 comments as of this writing.
What is known as "complementary currencies", like the Mendo Units, should be encouraged and set up as soon as possible. With the current economy in a shambles thanks to the schemes of Washington's pro-globalist fanatics, these alternative local currencies will aid local economies to get back on their feet.
If you wish to comment on Mr. Bradford's report and project, please let him know you read about it in the Voice. And then act on what you've read.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
In Praise Of Linux
Our colleagues at The Distributist Review have an article talking about the free computer operating system Linux. It may be more pro-Distributist than we think.
The article is HERE. Enjoy!
The article is HERE. Enjoy!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Defend Organic Small Farming Now!
The leftist environmental group Tree Huggers of America put out a press release on March 3rd, written by Linn Cohen-Cole. It tells of two more bills heading to the U.S. Congress that -- along with the bills mentioned two days ago -- would further smash the already weakened family farmers and farmer co-ops.
The link to their press release is HERE.
The four bills that need to be stopped cold are:
HR 875, HR 814, S 425, and soon, HR 759
Like so many other bills in the U.S. Congress, this is being snuck under the radar, so to speak. The so-called "mainstream media" won't cover this, or usually botch up the job.
So that means you readers of the Voice must call your Congressmen and Senators and demand they vote "NO" on these bills. Then let your friends and neighbors know what the Congress is planning to do to destroy organic farms, farmer co-ops, roadside stands and even backyard gardens.
This is no Chicken Little alarm over nothing. This is the real deal. Socialists and Monopoly Capitalists are aiming for the small farmers, and to keep control of the nation's food supply to themselves only.
Fight these anti-farmer and anti-Distributist bills now in Congress. Tell your Congressmen and Senators to vote "NO" on these bills. Then spread the word to stop these acts of tyranny. Thank you.
The link to their press release is HERE.
The four bills that need to be stopped cold are:
HR 875, HR 814, S 425, and soon, HR 759
Like so many other bills in the U.S. Congress, this is being snuck under the radar, so to speak. The so-called "mainstream media" won't cover this, or usually botch up the job.
So that means you readers of the Voice must call your Congressmen and Senators and demand they vote "NO" on these bills. Then let your friends and neighbors know what the Congress is planning to do to destroy organic farms, farmer co-ops, roadside stands and even backyard gardens.
This is no Chicken Little alarm over nothing. This is the real deal. Socialists and Monopoly Capitalists are aiming for the small farmers, and to keep control of the nation's food supply to themselves only.
Fight these anti-farmer and anti-Distributist bills now in Congress. Tell your Congressmen and Senators to vote "NO" on these bills. Then spread the word to stop these acts of tyranny. Thank you.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Blogging Against "Thieves"
E. D. Kain, writing for the blog The League of Ordinary Gentlemen, gives us an excellent essay called "Thieves". It is a detailed criticism of Distributism's two main rivals, as well as a support for what Belloc and Chesterton bequeathed to us long ago. You can read his essay HERE.
Please enjoy, and let him know you read about it in The Distributist Voice. Thank you.
Please enjoy, and let him know you read about it in The Distributist Voice. Thank you.
Monday, March 9, 2009
New U.S. Bill Would Ban Organic Farming
The group Campaign For Liberty, affiliated with Congressman Dr. Ron Paul of Texas, warns us of the bill that would in effect ban organic farming and backyard gardening. And all under the disguise of “food safety.” The link to the report is HERE.
According to the press release from the campaign, bill HR 875 would “literally put all independent farmers and food producers out of business due to the huge amounts of money it will take to conform to factory farming methods”.
The bill would also “legally bind state agriculture depts. to enforce federal guidelines, effectively taking away the states power to do anything other than being food police for the federal dept.”.
There is a similar bill in the Senate, S 425.
We at the voice urge you to call your Representatives and Senators NOW and urge them to vote against these two bills. These bills represent a grave threat to Americans who don't want to be for ever enslaved to factory farming and its supporters.
This bill is another anti-Distributist attack on our family farmers, as well as another power grab by both the federal government and food giants like ADM and Monsanto. Don't let them succeed! Demand your representatives in Washington vote “NO” on these two horrid bills.
According to the press release from the campaign, bill HR 875 would “literally put all independent farmers and food producers out of business due to the huge amounts of money it will take to conform to factory farming methods”.
The bill would also “legally bind state agriculture depts. to enforce federal guidelines, effectively taking away the states power to do anything other than being food police for the federal dept.”.
There is a similar bill in the Senate, S 425.
We at the voice urge you to call your Representatives and Senators NOW and urge them to vote against these two bills. These bills represent a grave threat to Americans who don't want to be for ever enslaved to factory farming and its supporters.
This bill is another anti-Distributist attack on our family farmers, as well as another power grab by both the federal government and food giants like ADM and Monsanto. Don't let them succeed! Demand your representatives in Washington vote “NO” on these two horrid bills.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Buy It Local, Make It Local
One of the tenets of Distributist Thought is the promotion and preservation of the local economy in all it's sectors. That includes agriculture, light and heavy manufacturing, service and health care, technology and retail.
When big businesses move out of small towns for the sake of cheap labor, so-called "free trade" and globalism, these towns crumble. But they can revive by implementing what we've learned from Belloc, Chesterton and their legitimate successors.
One of those inspired by them, whether directly or no, is job developer Michael Shuman. This article from the February 9th, 2009 edition of the Christian Science Monitor tells of his efforts to promote these little communities to restore their economic health with a big dose of "localism". The link to the article is HERE.
Let's learn from this and do what we can to bring this tenet of Distributism alive wherever we live and interact. It can only do us and our neighbors a world of good.
When big businesses move out of small towns for the sake of cheap labor, so-called "free trade" and globalism, these towns crumble. But they can revive by implementing what we've learned from Belloc, Chesterton and their legitimate successors.
One of those inspired by them, whether directly or no, is job developer Michael Shuman. This article from the February 9th, 2009 edition of the Christian Science Monitor tells of his efforts to promote these little communities to restore their economic health with a big dose of "localism". The link to the article is HERE.
Let's learn from this and do what we can to bring this tenet of Distributism alive wherever we live and interact. It can only do us and our neighbors a world of good.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
New Papal Document Will Be On Economics
An article by Robert Moynihan, editor of InsideTheVatican.com, gives us advance notice of a new Papal Encyclical. One that will cause as much fury among Capitalists and Socialists as did Leo XIII's Rerun Novarum or John Paul II's Centissimus Annus.
As printed on the website Energy Publisher on March 3rd, Moynihan lets us know that Pope Benedict XVI's newest letter will come down hard on both of Distributism's main rivals. As Moynihan puts it, "it will be filled also with truth about how false economic principles and moral ideals can lead mankind toward the abyss, and into it."
You can read Moynihan's article HERE.
Congratulations to the Holy Father in advance for this important document. Distributists and others of good will await it with baited breath.
As printed on the website Energy Publisher on March 3rd, Moynihan lets us know that Pope Benedict XVI's newest letter will come down hard on both of Distributism's main rivals. As Moynihan puts it, "it will be filled also with truth about how false economic principles and moral ideals can lead mankind toward the abyss, and into it."
You can read Moynihan's article HERE.
Congratulations to the Holy Father in advance for this important document. Distributists and others of good will await it with baited breath.
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