Tuesday, February 08, 2005

WELCOME TO THE PROGRESSIVE FUTURE


IT'S IN YOUR HANDS, NOW


Time To Stop Waiting For Change. Time To Change Things Ourselves.


The Great Silent Majority of all of us in the world, which consists of moderates, liberals, progressives and left-radicals, believe in a strong Social Safety Net. We also believe, and practise, reaching out to our fellow strivers, and lending a hand as needed. If you're hungry, I'm sure somebody's got some fish he can spare, here in Hawaii.

I think most of us would rather learn to fish. If there is anybody out there with knowledge of "Internet commerce," and starting your own business, or collective, online, maybe we could organize something. Like:

1. A Progressive Job Bank:
Where employers looking for Progressive employees in any field can post job offereings

2. A Progressive Skills & Talents Bank:
Where Progressives with some know-how or ability to offer can advertize

3. A Progressive Cooperative Market:
Where goods and services can be bartered, traded, rented, bought and sold

4. A Progressive Investment Bank:
Whatever the Koreans, and others call it, a sort of private bank, where everybody pays into the kitty, and one or more people get the whole pot each year, to start a business, and then repay the kitty. Not sure exactly how that works: Have to have some controls, I guess: Review of bizplan by accountants, etc; disbursement of moneys by managers on the basis of progress made; mentoring or mgt services by group members; paid, of course. If it were all for online businesses, it might be easier...

5. Progressive Micro-Credit, Grants, Low-Interest Loans:
It might help to get a boost on this from a George Soros, or a MacArthur Foundation, or whoever. A lot of people have skills and ideas that could be turned into useful businesses and rewarding careers that support our community, if they could only get a start. Too many people are shut out of the financial system we are all forced to support, while the Big Guys can get huge dollars, blow them all, and still get more. We need an alternative to a system that only loans you money if you DON'T need it. There should be more programs for those in need with a willingness to "work hard and play by the rules;" and a better clearing-house for all available programs: One-stop Internet-shopping that allows anybody to post one application online, and have it go automatically to a number of lenders and grantors. If this already exists, where do I apply?

6. Progressive E-Commerce
The potential is supposed to be tremendous. I've seen the results. But how do we get in on it? And how do we make it profitable? If you know, let's talk shop. We need our own "people's" infrastructure, that serves our needs. I suppose Craig's List and EBay are already doing this, but I have no idea how they work. Also, I think it would be good to perhaps use their services, rather than re-inventing their wheels, but market a Progressive Label, for people who want to support the community and the cause. Sort of like Emily's List. But for the individuals and co-ops on the other end of it.

7. Progressive University: Practical Solutions For Everyday Life:
All of the above, a how-to. Anybody got the knowledge? Let's talk.

Anybody have any suggestions, comments, critiques on this? Post them here or email me:

cosanostradamusATexciteDOTcom





2 Comments:

At Tuesday, February 08, 2005 11:33:00 PM, Blogger Cosa Nostradamus said...

Thanks. I'll look into that. Soon as I get a J.O.B.

But we oughta do SOMETHING with all this blog-energy, no?

And muchas gracias.

 
At Friday, February 11, 2005 6:54:00 AM, Blogger oldwhitelady said...

Looks good. Friends helping friends by blogging.

 

Post a Comment

<< Home

POST COMMENTS above, or send them to cosanostradamus AT excite DOT com.

GINNY'S ARTWORK

LOOK! Shiny NEW Links:




BLOGSHARES BLOGROLLING BLOGDEX WEBLOGS BLOGGER SITEMETER PING-O-MATIC BLOGARAMA BLO.GS


Site Feed

FEEDBURNER: Syndicate this site




Search Popdex:




DAYPOP



Technorati Profile



Popdex Citations



The Progressive Blog Alliance



Listed on Blogwise