Political Turning Discussion Group

Morning

Kathy Vandergrift’s Input

• Citizens vs. Consumers
• Public spaces vs. Privatization
• Talk about taxes = greatest good
• Measures of success
• Champions for Dissent
• “Voices” group
• Politics of Fear
• Polarization - resist
• Best Role for Government
• “The Spirit Level” by Wilkinson and Pickett
• Non-reliance on government programs
• Restructuring the Political System
• Local government/Aboriginal
• Getting into the debate

Key Themes

• Important to get involved locally – a place to be.
• Call to circle (form community) – Métis Nation
• Call to Commonwealth vs. Capitalism
• Climate of fear (firing, silencing of dissent, funding cats)
• Call to support dissenters by spreading information “Voices.”
• Use our power of media to name violators, make links, and expose muzzling of dissent.
• Call to celebrate courageous dissenters (eg. Leader – Canadian Wheat Board).
• Looking for local connections.
• Importance of persistence
• Address and name examples of politics of fear in groups locally, regionally and globally.
• Address regional environmental issues (watersheds). This has global effects.
• Use a watershed to define municipal boundaries (eg. Okotoks / Ottawa Riverkeeper)
• Name the ideology underlying the system – rule by corporations
• Work for Fair Trade and rule by cooperation
• Education regarding fair votes in politics and corporations.
• Celebrate/acknowledge the good things delivered by current system (creativity and bring these forward).
• Need for cooperative socialism.
• Educate regarding our common story that holds all of us (eg. Philosophers’ café); find ways to do this.
• Involve people on everyday issues – poverty/work.
• Find ways to involve immigrants.
• Get involved politically (eg. local level).
• Search for truth.
• Find how our various ‘stories’ converge in the common converse story.

Questions:

• Where is this work already underway?
• Who is doing it?
• How can we contribute to the work?

Afternoon

• KAIROS is working in this area.
• NAPO & Make Poverty History
• Canadian Housing Federation
• ATEH
• ON Poverty Reduction Network
• Start ON Centre for Resiliency (to assist groups)
• Farmers’ Market
• Children’s Garden
• SLOWEST/ Sustainable Living Ottawa East
• VOICES/VOIX
• Celebrate dissenters
• i.e. dissent stories
• Help VOICES create an effective website
• Find positive language regarding  ‘dissent’
• Ex. Human rights ?
• The Hill Times  & The Embassy
• Report courageously (place for VOICES stories)
• Anne Marie Creskey – editor
• Prepare strategic defense to criticism
• Peace & Environment news covers
• Stories not in mainstream media / also has links to peace groups
• Teddy’s current book unmasks injustice to immigrants
• Interestfreemoney.org CAOS
• Going to alternate news sites
• Ex. Straight goods/Huffington news
• Write letters to the editor regarding real news
• Engage people in conversation regarding issues
• Educate regarding power of marketing and advertising.
• Contribute to an ad campaign promoting quality journalism.
• Become active member of local credit union.
• All groups join work on a common issue.
• Ex. MAI
• Put posters in weekly church programmes
• Convention in Expo of all groups as ‘Peoples’ Expo
• Livingwage.ca
• Work with local politicians to achieve goals

Summary of Themes

Fear/Dissent - fighting fear

• Celebrate dissenters
• Using our power of media to name violations/make links/ expose muzzling
• Support for persistence
• Education:
• Common story
• Fair trade
• Fair vote
• Philosophers café
• Theology
• Cosmology
• Celebrating the good things advancing “honey”
• Boundaries – watershed
• Okotoks
• Ottawa River Keepers
• Involving people
• Immigrants
• Who didn’t win
• Youth engagement
• Privilege