Local Politics

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Permalink Reply by Charlie on November 13, 2010 at 12:55pm

I think its great to see the people of TM begin to self-actualize as an entity rather than a movement. As is brought up over and again in readings, local resilience is going to be best achieved through local politics. I appreciate the discussion at least exploring the boundaries of what is local.... neighborhood, urban, suburban, peri-urban, regional, state, federal, national international global, planetary?

But I also agree with many responses that its too early to be calling TM a party like green or teabag... at least not without a mutually agreed platform created by a democratic process where members have a chance to weigh-in on the planks and pillars.

Thats alot to bite off when the movement has so much on its plate and has repeatedly complained of not reaching the mainstream. My guess is we're responding to being blind-sided by the outcome of this election and want to hit the reset. But rather than react lets refocus on the strengths of our actions and how they're successfully taking root. We're working on branding the TM movement, supporting local initiatives like VGI, Wright Street's Time Exchange and the peak everything—perhaps we could do more by continuing to strengthen our roots before we rip the top off the greenhouse and expose the movement to the world.

I can't make the Nuts and Bolts meeting again cuz of Bee stuff but I'm planning to make the branding meeting. I think there's a great challenge before us to continue focusing on resilience til others come around. Maybe we can't stop this train-wreck but we can better mitigate the damages with our actions. And through those actions be a beacon that draws others together when their world's in doubt.

My favorite movie antidote is from "Colors" when Duval tells Penn, the story of the two Bulls sitting on a hillside overlooking a meadow of grazing cows... excuse the language but it sums it up... lets walk down and transition em all. http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n98/colbydogcreative/?action=vie...

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Permalink Reply by Chris Terbrueggen on November 13, 2010 at 10:08pm

In support of Barbara's discussion, I thought I repost this here.

There are a variety of policy and political issues within current and future TM work groups. Like, the water group has created a policy and advocacy sub group to examine urban planning methods that direct storm water away from a residential lot instead of collecting and storing the rainwater on the lot. We also want to understand and change current storm water ordinances that create policy barriers for residents. Like, Shorewood requires a $50 permit and engineer inspection to disconnect a downspout and install a rain barrel. Or, City of Milwaukee gives non-profits and businesses access to storm water incentives, but excludes residential home owners. If Rock Island, Illinois can give residential homeowners storm water incentives, why can't Milwaukee, WI?

I haven't even mentioned the gray water policy barriers.

I am just raising these issues to show that many permaculture and sustainable practices require us to change local laws. Some might argue that we can do these things illegally and ignore the politics. I understand that argument, but I would prefer actively developing relationships with city and county officials to remove these policy barriers for all Milwaukee residents.

I am wondering if other members can name some policy barriers that relate to community housing and local food production? Thanks, Chris
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Permalink Reply by Barbara Richards on November 14, 2010 at 9:02am

I have worked with a group called Common Ground here in Milwaukee. They do a lot of homework on an issue and then sit down with those who wield the policy or law making powers and develop a relationship of: "Here is a situation thats needs to be addressed. How can we work together to meet this need?" Then depending upon the response further self education is required or an action to initiate change. Using this model I suggest we continue our reskilling and retooling. When we see an intersection of policy/law we follow that string to the person(s) with whom we need to have a conversation. Then we have a concrete, Transition paradigm based conversation. This is non-political ideology.

There are many issues: housing, food, "money" systems, water, bio diesel... that could be helped or hindered by local policy or legal decisions.

The other part of this is political campaign support. This I believe needs to be individual decision and action. However I would be glad to support someone recommended by another TM person if the "whole" of the candidate's position matches my stance.

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