Take TREBIC's "Pig, Poultry & Politics" for example. PPP is billed as an old fashioned political rally and that it is. Politicians are invited. TREBIC members are invited but the public isn't invited. If there was ever an invitation for back room dealings there it is. The special interests and the politicians all in the same place, all cozied up together with zero oversight and no public oversight, free to do anything they like. A real old fashioned political rally if there ever was one.
Well I'm thinking it's time we did things differently. I'm thinking politics is supposed to be about helping people, not corporations, about public works and not padding the pockets of wealthy contractors, developers, realtors and banksters. I'm thinking politics should be about feeding the hungry, providing long term jobs, true economic development and not short term developer driven development. I'm thinking it's time the politicians paid us!
Here's the plan. Instead of paying the politicians, why not host a series of New Fashioned Political Rallys beginning with the Greensboro City Council elections next year wherein candidates pay, say $100.oo per head (number not set in stone) per rally to speak to the audience with the money going to feed the audience while at the rally. Any leftover food or money could go to established non profits like the IRC which as far as I can tell has a clean bill of health. But the IRC isn't the only one.
Of course, as long as we're talking about helping people and because lots of folks don't appreciate things that are free I think we should charge admission to those who can afford 1 can of food to be donated to Greensboro's various pantries that work to feed the poor. Yes, there are several other than the IRC and Greensboro Urban Ministries but they will be included as well. But for those of you who cannot afford a can of food you are still welcome to come as someone else might donate a can on your behalf.
If it's legal the various political factions in town could rent space in the back to register voters and pass out literature with that money also going towards feeding the audience and the poor. Just remember: the end goal is to end up with a zero balance and better informed voters.
We would probably need a volunteer Certified Public Accountant but there would be no need to form yet another non profit as each event could operate under the umbrellas of the non profit agencies that benefit from the proceeds. You see, true grassroots efforts don't require grants from foundations and city funding, true grassroots efforts only need people.
Please, if you think this is a good idea, then spread the word, like it on Facebook, do your thing on Twitter, e-mail it to your friends and feel free to contact me if you'd like to get involved.
