Independance and Freedom

It often amuses me how people are so vehemently against Capitalism, yet they continue to support the integrity of the system by opting to be a part of it.

They complain of being constantly tired from being overworked, leading unfulfilled lives and how corporations continue to screw up the world.

And they will continue to defend Capitalism although they disagree with it by saying things like:

'We have to work, to maintain society and order.'
'I could not afford the luxuries of life, if I did not earn money.'
'I need to be a part of the system in order to put food on the table.'

...etc, etc.

We talk about equality yet we continue to want to uphold a system that is not fair. We want the homeless off the streets, yet we want to further our careers and be at the top of the professional ladder, because we fear being homeless ourselves. We have worked hard all our lives and we don't want to lose it, therefore we don't want to fall into poverty, yet we continue to create poverty by the very intention of not wanting to be poor.

Why are we taught to look at poverty in disgust? It's offensive to our nature. We fear that the system will not look after us, and it won't. The crisis of our times, is that the economy will eventually collapse, as more people go into retirement and there is less of a younger workforce to replace and support them. The government cannot promise to look after the elderly, and the young are too busy working long hours to care for them.

Would you really miss your television if you don't have one? Do you opt for freedom or slavery? Do you prefer love over judgement? When will you leave what is comfortable for you?

If enough people get together who have the same beliefs and philosophies, it's possible for them to become independant from the system. The idea of creating a commune where a group can be self-sufficient and live off the land was an idea that was prominent in the 60s. A movie like, 'Easy Rider', and 'The Matrix' both convey the same message. They appeal to people, yet they don't affect people to alter their own lives and be in control.

A commune is not a group of religious fanatics. It is a collective of people who want self-sufficiency and independance of tax and government. How I might suggest that it could be implemented, the seeds of change sown into a culture that has been feudal and capitalist for so long, is that the retirees can come together and buy land. Fruit and vegetables can be grown on this land, worked by those of the community. The elderly of the community won't have to worry about pension or care, since the young will have the time to support them.

So what I am proposing, is a system that can co-exist within an existing system, that allows people that believe in freedom to live together. This commune, can support the homeless and whoever wants to be a part of it. It works because people are not inherently selfish, selfishness and greed are values taught to us by the system that created us. We're naturally social beings, will naturally work together for the benefit of the group and help each other.

I have heard about systems like this working in England, although the self-sufficiency may vary, it depends on the group of individuals to decide. For example, there is a large mansion which has been bought by a collective of people and divided into smaller rooms. It works by joint ownership, and is wholly owned by the group. Those who live there, are free from extortionate rents, have a place for life, and the freedom to support the community in any way they want. There are those who choose to farm on the property, and those who continue to work their everyday jobs. It has been running for several generations, to the point where nobody owns the property, and new people are accepted into the community upon the basis of what they can contribute to it.

If we want equality, we must support it by action. It starts with our own lives; not other peoples'. To be self sufficient means to be able to not support those large corporations whose aim it is to control our lives, and rather take care of the poor by taking them out of the system that they depend on so much to be able to survive. If enough people support freedom, then the economy will eventually collapse, with government following, and then we can all live in a happier world where we can live the way that humans were meant to live. Less pollution, creativity, better environment, less waste and getting in touch with the roots of culture.

It sounds all very naive, and many people will say, 'Ahhh, that will never work.' but it starts with a dream, and faith in that dream. There are many who are too fond of their lifestyles, and they cannot give it up for the greater good of equality and happiness. However, if you are on the career path ladder for riches, you will continue to make people your slaves, and thus continues the cycle of unhappiness. Capitalism supports unhappiness because it can then sell us the things that we're conditioned to think make us happy. Happiness is simple really, it's appreciating the simple things in life.

I have money to invest in starting such a commune, if anyone wants to join me? Let's take a leap to become free and free others.

Here's some links you might find interesting:
http://www.creativeideasforyou.com/commune_land.html
http://www.creativeideasforyou.com/commune_land.html#Links%20to%20Communities%20from%20F.I.C.