Economy

Trickle Down Economics is a Vicious Fraud

December 16, 2011

The highly esteemed economist, Robert Reich, clearly explains what some of our country’s largest financial system problems are, offers a clear plan with well defined policy solutions, and presents this concise message to President Obama:

“We’ll give you a mandate in your second term to raise taxes on the rich, including capital gains taxes, and put a tax on financial transactions, also, resurrect the Glass-Steagall Act, limit the size of big banks, and force them to modify the loans of millions of Americans who are now underwater; and invest in public schools and other infrastructure so that all Americans can prosper in this new economy.”

School Gardens — Growing Healthy Kids

November 29, 2011

Learn about the history of school gardens and how they may be gathering momentum again

Iceland Revolutionizes Their Banks, Constitution & Democracy Itself

November 21, 2011

“Why Iceland Should be in the News but is Not” describes how Iceland has completely transformed their financial institutions, as well as their entire democratic process. The story of how the European nation is recovering from bankruptcy three years ago, the sensible economic reforms implemented, and the radical public process of drafting an open source constitution, are amazing examples which all countries could easily successfully emulate.

Republicans and Banks Desperate to Discredit & Destroy Occupy Movement

November 19, 2011

Massive corporate banks and billionaire plutocrats are proving that they have a vested interest in dismantling the growing Occupy protests. Chris Hayes has just revealed that a politically connected lobbying firm with close ties to Republican John Boehner, has asked a wealthy banking group for nearly a million dollars to develop a strategic plan to destroy the Occupy Wall Street movement, as well as any politicians who might express support for the activists.

How to Save Money on Body Care

November 12, 2011

Did you know that there are several things you probably already have lying around your house that can double either for medicinal or cosmetic purposes? Below we will discuss some everyday items one might find laying around the house, and how you can use them for other “unconventional,” but very convenient purposes.

Help OlyKraut Grow: Investing in Our Local Food System

November 9, 2011

Much in the same manner that OlyKraut supports and reaches out to many small local farmers in the area, the burgeoning food business is now seeking help from each of you to be able to grow their young company. Sash and Summer have just created a short video to explain why raw fermented vegetables are so very important for our diet, as well as what their growing business now needs in order to thrive.

Seattle Protesters Occupy Chase Bank

November 4, 2011

Many local activists were arrested on Wednesday while occupying a Chase Bank in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. Many innocent protesters were pepper-sprayed and maced by police while attempting to peacefully demonstrate and passively resist being arrested by the officers.

NY Foreclosure Mill Mocks Homeless Families with Halloween Party

October 30, 2011

Just when you thought that corrupt corporate banks and foreclosure companies could not become any more depraved or sickening, we are once again unpleasantly surprised. Joe Nocera at the New York Times just published some appalling photos from the firm’s sadistic homeless-themed Halloween party last year; the images were sent to him by a former Baum worker. The old employee explained that the snapshots were a very accurate representation of the firm’s callous attitudes:

“There is this really cavalier attitude.It doesn’t matter that people are going to lose their homes.”

Withdraw from Your Shitty Bank

October 29, 2011

Millions of us have already chosen to move our money out of huge inhumane corporate banks, into smaller, community-oriented financial institutions that invest directly in our own area. International Bank Transfer Day is just one week away. Consider joining the growing movement to reinvest locally into small, more accountable credit unions and independently owned neighborhood banks.

Depression Era Bonus Army Inspires Occupy Movement

October 24, 2011

The Bonus Army has been on my mind lately, especially in light of the growing Occupy Wall Street movement. In the spring and summer of 1932 tens of thousands of war veterans and their families set up encampments in our nation’s capital to demand their promised military benefits from the government. Their tent cities bear a striking resemblance to the scores of Occupy protest encampments that have recently sprouted up across the globe.

Slow Money Strives To Be Smart Money

October 18, 2011

I am energized after attending the final day of the Slow Money Gathering last Friday at the beautiful Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. Listening to the excellent presentations and talking with other attendees reaffirmed my suspicion that innovative solutions to make our nation’s food systems environmentally sustainable, fair, and ethical, are best developed at the grassroots level in diverse areas of the country.

More and more committed individuals are implementing numerous small creative projects across the nation; Slow Money founder Woody Tasch explains the growing sustainable revolution like this:

“We are moving from big idea to lots of small actions. Our success is built on relationships — individuals with shared values and vision, connected via local and national networks, learning together, collaborating, co-creating a healthy culture and healthy economy.”

Grayson’s Inspiring Explanation of the Occupy Wall Street Movement

October 13, 2011

“If I am a spokesman for all the people who think that we should not have 24 million people in this country who can’t find a full time job, that we should not have 50 million people in this country who can’t see a doctor when they’re sick; that we shouldn’t have 47 million people in this country who need government help in order to feed themselves, and we shouldn’t have 15 million families who owe more on their mortgage than the value of their home, okay, I’ll be that spokesman.”

Slow Money Gathering Opens in San Francisco

October 11, 2011

The Third Annual Slow Money National Gathering is being held this week, October 12th through the 14th, at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. The conference will explore a variety of topics, including the importance of investing in your own neighborhood, cooperatives and alternative monetary structures, as well as how to create more sustainable interconnected regional economies and small healthy local food systems.

One Bank to Rule Us All

October 5, 2011

Mordor, complete utter evil, and throwing the one ring into the Cracks of Doom immediately came to mind when I saw this image illustrating the rapid consolidation of all our nation’s banks. So much power, influence and money in the hands of so very few has created an inhumane Sauron like behemoth banking system whose only cruel desire is for more and more. We the people are being systematically crushed, devoured and regurgitated within the relentless grinding cogs of this corrupt unsustainable machine.