Its broken!

The world is broken.  Its the truth.  People are starving, not just in Africa but here in North America. In 2005 there were 3.5 million households in Canada that were unable to afford basic housing, food and clothing — 10% of the population.   That figure has risen since September 30, 2008 to almost 11%.  Forget the myth that the poor deserve to be poor — it aint so.  Only .5% of the population is homeless because of substance abuse or mental illness.   The other 9.5% are working poor.  The system is broken.

In my own neighbourhood there are 28 kids under 12 with empty stomachs — no parents home to cook for them and no food in the house.  During the school year they eat at school.  But the schools are closed.  The food bank is open only 1 day a month.  Huh?  Its broken.

Entire countries are almost bankrupt — not only poor, third world countries but the most powerful countries in the world.  The economy is tanked.  Oh, there’s money out there, but people are afraid and insecure.  And fearful people don’t spend money — except maybe on emergency food rations. (Don’t let your insecurity push you that far!  No one eats that crap!)

The myth of job security is gone.  There is no such thing. Retirement savings? Savings accounts?  Your money is losing spending value while you get .01% interest per annum.  I’m not exaggerating.

The myth of social security is gone, too.  You can’t count on the government to take care of the poor, the aged and the disabled.  You can’t count on the government to take care of you.

Health decisions, education decisions and even food security decisions are based on economics and favour corporations, and the status quo — not your best interest.  Trusting in the system is bad for your health.

What’s the solution?  For real people to work together to build something different.  We can’t fix it.  But we can build a new structure, one homestead, one garden at a time — neighbours helping neighbours.  But first we need to admit that the system is broken.

And we have to take the responsibility for ourselves, for our families, and for our neighbours.  Rural communities have known this for decades.  City folks are starting to catch on.

You don’t need 140 acres to fix the problem.  A community garden is a great start.  A vacant lot and permission to plant a garden works.  A planter with lettuce and beans on your apartment balcony works.  Start today.  Take the first step to a more sustainable, self sufficient life style.  Its not too late to plant some food.  I’m still planting my garden. 

And don’t just think about yourself.  Tell a friend.  Work together.  Its easier in a group — a tribe — a flock.  Share this blog.  Join my flock and sign up for the news letter — use the box to the right of this post, grab my free e-book.  Start today to build something better for tomorrow.  It will take hard work and focus but you’re up for it.  Start now.