yes, we need to work on strengthening our immune systems but also on our overall systems. The more we're dependent on the current educational system, the food and supply systems, etc the more vulnerable we are to whatever the next plan is. There's a huge homesteading movement right now, but even small steps toward independence go a long way.
yes, we need to work on strengthening our immune systems but also on our overall systems. The more we're dependent on the current educational system, the food and supply systems, etc the more vulnerable we are to whatever the next plan is. There's a huge homesteading movement right now, but even small steps toward independence go a long way.
And what about those who are not in a position to do homesteading? People on limited incomes? People who don't own property and never will be able to own property? Are we simply to be written off? This is what turns me off about the whole homesteading/prepper/survivalist mentality; those that can afford to do it probably don't need to, and those that need to do it probably can't afford to.
Yeah, that's what my last sentence was about: I think any small steps toward independence (and interdependence within a community) are really important.
True. But we must not inadvertently alienate people by assuming that everyone is in the same boat financially--and I see so much of that. The minute I read advice about growing your own garden, that tells me this is not someone who lives in an apartment or other situation where that is not possible. When I hear about stockpiling food, that tells me this is not someone who depends on a food pantry.
This is why I have found lower-income people to be resistant to the idea of getting involved, to vote, because they know by and large "the system" isn't for them but considers them to be irrelevant at best and a nuisance at worse. When I was trying to organize my mobile home community I ran up against this attitude and couldn't figure out why nobody else was interested in going to the village government with their concerns. Then I found out. I sought the help of a large, rather well-off liberal congregation with a reputation for getting involved in social justice issues and got nowhere. My issue wasn't trendy. It wasn't popular. They could--and did--help Syrian refugees with housing and employment but as far as helping me and my neighbors, the one person who was actively involved in mobile home park issues point-blank told me and a few neighbors I managed to persuade to meet with her that the only solution to our problems was "to move." On our own, using our own resources. My neighbors looked at me with a "what did we tell you?" expression. So to talk to people like that about interdependence is a waste of time. You aren't preaching to that choir.
To make a long story short, the park was sold to an absentee owner whose only contact information was an anonymous PO box in California. I found out through my contacts with the village government that he was not paying taxes, water, or electric and the park was in danger of closing. So I was trying to organize my neighbors so that we could all contact the appropriate local and state agencies. I admit I was naive. After much fruitless effort I realized that this was not a battle any of us could win--that there was NO ONE interested in helping us who had the power to help us--and I and a couple of others ended up moving our homes to another park. The rest ended up being forcibly evicted when the village shut off water and the power company shut off the electric. I learned a lot through that experience. One is that mobile home park residents--"trailer trash" to the rest of you all--have very little rights and are very frequently taken advantage of by absentee owners like the one who bought my park. They can do that because there is a serious shortage of affordable housing. Because I own my home I only have to pay lot rent which is far cheaper than any apartment; however this also creates a problem when it comes to moving because as long as the home is on their property and in my name I still have to pay lot rent even if I no longer live there (so basically now two rents instead of one). Subleasing or getting a roommate is also out of the question due to park regulations. If I had known what I know now I don't know if I would have gone this route but I didn't have much of a choice then and don't now. As I said, it's been a real education, and I now understand why so many in my situation are apathetic, because they know the system is not for them. They know not to listen to anyone who is not walking in their shoes.
This is brutal and totally unfair. I know people who are fighting this kind of injustice in the courts (without lawyers). It's a long process - and it takes a lot of study, but at this point most of the necessary info is online. In most states there's a waiving of court fees if you don't have the means to pay.
Yes, it is unfair. And, apparently perfectly legal. As I said, I was unable to get any kind of help anywhere from anyone. The people I consulted who did have the kind of knowledge of the situation that you are talking about were all unanimous in that the best solution was simply to move. There was no opportunity to bring anyone to court--the owner could not be found, and even the village's lawyer was unable to locate him when they had questions. And I consider myself better educated and more knowledgeable about how things work than many of my neighbors, who are simply not equipped emotionally, mentally, financially, or educationally for such a battle. That was several years ago and I still get upset thinking about it.
I'm watching a court proceeding right now of an elderly man with lymphoma being lectured by a judge for not cleaning his front yard. There are multiple causes for judicial complaints that some folks are working on. Many public servants are good, but so many others are getting away with terrible behavior. There are ways to hold them accountable but we're out of practice...
yes, we need to work on strengthening our immune systems but also on our overall systems. The more we're dependent on the current educational system, the food and supply systems, etc the more vulnerable we are to whatever the next plan is. There's a huge homesteading movement right now, but even small steps toward independence go a long way.
And what about those who are not in a position to do homesteading? People on limited incomes? People who don't own property and never will be able to own property? Are we simply to be written off? This is what turns me off about the whole homesteading/prepper/survivalist mentality; those that can afford to do it probably don't need to, and those that need to do it probably can't afford to.
Yeah, that's what my last sentence was about: I think any small steps toward independence (and interdependence within a community) are really important.
True. But we must not inadvertently alienate people by assuming that everyone is in the same boat financially--and I see so much of that. The minute I read advice about growing your own garden, that tells me this is not someone who lives in an apartment or other situation where that is not possible. When I hear about stockpiling food, that tells me this is not someone who depends on a food pantry.
This is why I have found lower-income people to be resistant to the idea of getting involved, to vote, because they know by and large "the system" isn't for them but considers them to be irrelevant at best and a nuisance at worse. When I was trying to organize my mobile home community I ran up against this attitude and couldn't figure out why nobody else was interested in going to the village government with their concerns. Then I found out. I sought the help of a large, rather well-off liberal congregation with a reputation for getting involved in social justice issues and got nowhere. My issue wasn't trendy. It wasn't popular. They could--and did--help Syrian refugees with housing and employment but as far as helping me and my neighbors, the one person who was actively involved in mobile home park issues point-blank told me and a few neighbors I managed to persuade to meet with her that the only solution to our problems was "to move." On our own, using our own resources. My neighbors looked at me with a "what did we tell you?" expression. So to talk to people like that about interdependence is a waste of time. You aren't preaching to that choir.
what were you trying to do within the mobile home community?
To make a long story short, the park was sold to an absentee owner whose only contact information was an anonymous PO box in California. I found out through my contacts with the village government that he was not paying taxes, water, or electric and the park was in danger of closing. So I was trying to organize my neighbors so that we could all contact the appropriate local and state agencies. I admit I was naive. After much fruitless effort I realized that this was not a battle any of us could win--that there was NO ONE interested in helping us who had the power to help us--and I and a couple of others ended up moving our homes to another park. The rest ended up being forcibly evicted when the village shut off water and the power company shut off the electric. I learned a lot through that experience. One is that mobile home park residents--"trailer trash" to the rest of you all--have very little rights and are very frequently taken advantage of by absentee owners like the one who bought my park. They can do that because there is a serious shortage of affordable housing. Because I own my home I only have to pay lot rent which is far cheaper than any apartment; however this also creates a problem when it comes to moving because as long as the home is on their property and in my name I still have to pay lot rent even if I no longer live there (so basically now two rents instead of one). Subleasing or getting a roommate is also out of the question due to park regulations. If I had known what I know now I don't know if I would have gone this route but I didn't have much of a choice then and don't now. As I said, it's been a real education, and I now understand why so many in my situation are apathetic, because they know the system is not for them. They know not to listen to anyone who is not walking in their shoes.
This is brutal and totally unfair. I know people who are fighting this kind of injustice in the courts (without lawyers). It's a long process - and it takes a lot of study, but at this point most of the necessary info is online. In most states there's a waiving of court fees if you don't have the means to pay.
Yes, it is unfair. And, apparently perfectly legal. As I said, I was unable to get any kind of help anywhere from anyone. The people I consulted who did have the kind of knowledge of the situation that you are talking about were all unanimous in that the best solution was simply to move. There was no opportunity to bring anyone to court--the owner could not be found, and even the village's lawyer was unable to locate him when they had questions. And I consider myself better educated and more knowledgeable about how things work than many of my neighbors, who are simply not equipped emotionally, mentally, financially, or educationally for such a battle. That was several years ago and I still get upset thinking about it.
I'm sorry :(
this sounds horrible
I'm watching a court proceeding right now of an elderly man with lymphoma being lectured by a judge for not cleaning his front yard. There are multiple causes for judicial complaints that some folks are working on. Many public servants are good, but so many others are getting away with terrible behavior. There are ways to hold them accountable but we're out of practice...