When we started the Columbia Exchange Circle, we slowly realized that something such as what Ted Trainer was saying was crucial. Folks are now looking at them as a way to organize the unemployed, via microeconomic, household based, self employment. The fascinating thing is, when we had our monthly markets, these household economy aspects were almost always at the fore of participants minds, as if by default. It could indicate what we might be able to see as a response to a ‘market failure’, as a collective response to the gaps left as overly commodified global supply chains have attempted to usurp the basic household economy, and using hyperreal imagery have attempted to sideline it or ‘folkwash’ it, if you will. Also, economists have leveraged against it the meme of ‘cottage industry’, which commonly evokes images of lumpen, plan rural folk endlessly working away at a butter churn or whittling wooden figurines. Not that there’s anything wrong with churning butter, or craft, but it has been effectively marginalized by industrialization, because of how powerful the household economy competed with it. (speaking of churning butter, with a simple bicycle powered device, some cool milk and a good book, you could churn out some firm butter w/ ease!)

Anyways, I totally agree about eliminating these barriers. There are definitely some avenues for it here in cleveland, and CEDNET could pursue that policy force. Jobs with Justice is already organizing the unemployed enmasse, and helping them to develop a policy agenda. We will be bringing this all to the table, for sure. Also, we have been researching extensively simple, low maintenance ways of running collective enterprises, keeping things legally legit, but taxes and technical work low as well. When you organize into support networks, this becomes even easier. We are keeping a keen eye on what you have to say, KC, and we will be putting our shoulders to the wheel here. Forward Foundation (esp. Sam Rose) will be providing some guidance and support, and with their skills this may really take off.

I am in the process of writing a proposal and will be referencing this ?