in other words
september7
2017
3
Voices From the Crowd: A New Day
By John F. Phillips
The United States of America is
a classic colonial power. It is account-
able only to itself. We extract, manufac-
ture and sell resources of foreign coun-
tries while keeping controlling interest
in their finances and infrastructure. This
is to the distinct disadvantage of the
mass of foreign populations except for
the elite few which enrich themselves
by acting as local administrators subject
to our governance and ideologies.
Fact: the USA has over 800 mil-
itary bases outside of the United States
which provide the exo-skeletal brick
and mortar means of enforcing our rule.
These bases secure trade routes,
manufacturing, markets, banking inter-
ests, and military objectives. Affected
foreign governments do not have opera-
tional or administrative jurisdiction on
our bases except for limited civil and
tort matters.
200+ of those 800 bases are
between North Korea and our Pacific
Sphere of Influence.
Our system requires enormous
amounts of money, maintenance, arma-
ments, and military force. The overall
effect is a well-earned paranoia for us.
We take measured steps of retaliation
against resistance and/or insurgency,
keeping us in control. This leads to in-
creasing hostility at an increasing rate
which, historically, leads to increased
imperial controls. It is a one way street
to ultimate collapse of empire, until
now.
There is an alternative.
Binary technology has opened
access to the knowledge, in detail, to al-
most everyone. This is a game changer.
Empire depends on withheld informa-
tion. Total secrecy is no longer viable.
Simultaneously,
Malthusian
Theory has manifested itself in run-
away planetary population overgrowth.
Sheer masses of humanity can and will
overcome empire as we know it. This is
not just science fiction. It is for real and
will be in our lifetime. If you are cur-
rently on the planet, and in good health,
you will experience and perceive this.
You also may be killed, and those you
love, by it.
As maligned as he was by Capi-
talism, Marx was right in saying Capi-
talism was unavoidably subject to “A
race to the bottom” in falling wages and
unimaginable profits to a select few. We,
as a planet, have experienced this and it
is ongoing. It is but a matter of time, in
the short run, before we hit total bottom.
The devastation and collapse will be un-
bearable to everyone, not just a few.
Can we avoid it? Yes, we can.
The key word is “Sustainabil-
ity.” This concept is embodied in the
phrase: “It takes a village.” This is
where each person is considered a part
of the whole, not separate from it. If we
consider all persons on the planet as our
brothers and sisters, we can then make
decisions that contribute to individual
wellbeing which then relates to every-
one’s wellbeing. It is a tapestry. It is the
soul of existence.
How can we begin to manifest
this concept, bring it into being?
As a first step, we can begin to
share what we have with one another.
Native First Peoples who are indig-
enous to all parts of our planet know
the meaning of this. North American
First Peoples call it “Potlatch.” This,
in concept, is where individuals are fo-
cused on their neighbor’s wellbeing and
consciously take steps to assure it. It is
as simple as taking over a fresh baked
apple pie to a neighbor just because it is
a joyous thing to do and share. How can
we as a nation-state empire begin such
an endeavor?
Well, first of all, we have 800+
brick and mortar military bases around
the world. One must admit, that is “Em-
pire.” We also must admit that rubs
a majority of people who live there, a
negative way. We can change that per-
ception in others without increasing our
military presence or, alternatively, dis-
mantling or vacating a military base.
Here is how.
On the real estate involved in a
military base, we can establish Brick and
Mortar Schools Of Education including
K thru 12, Trades Schools, Community
College and University level classes.
Curriculum can be modified to fit the
needs of the resident culture of the loca-
tion’s population, including homeland
USA. Simultaneously, research and
development facilities can be created
based on the area’s geographic needs
and location. This especially includes
agriculture and medicine. Health facili-
ties and hospitals would be essential.
These institutions would look
to the wellness of the area, that is, “The
Village.” Sustainability would be em-
phasized, for example, solar, wind,
hydro, wave generation, and thermal,
over fossil fuels.
This approach would be cost
effective for the USA. Rather than
FULL
SPORTS
PACKAGE!
Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7
EVENTS
finite, time-limited extraction, and
exporting production out of country,
with accumulating profits back in the
USA, emphasis would be on local,
sustainable productivity with a fair and
reasonable Return on Investment (ROI)
for the USA which would, in theory,
last into infinity, which would give a
greater total return on investment than
that of extraction-to-depletion which is
emphasized in our current interpretation
of capitalism. Bear in mind, that
capitalism in its most fundamental
structure is simply a value and pricing
mechanism which makes exchanges of
labor and management easier thru the
medium of coinage, or nowadays, digital
credit. Glutinous accumulation, hording
and criminal excesses associated
with modern capitalism is a product
of our social genetics and values.
We can change those and still use the
mechanistic benefits of the concepts of
Adam Smith, who by the way, knew full
well the foibles of predatory capitalism.
Utilizing our military bases as
I have suggested will bring prosperity
to the world. The bases can still be
vital in maintaining safety and security
for ourselves and our host countries
while stimulating and “growing” their
cultures and economies. Our own
stature and place in the world will be
rewarding and beneficial to us. We will
be healthier, stronger, happier, safer,
and more successful than we are now.
At that point, we can get it on and really
go out into the stars where no humans
have gone in person before.
Publisher and Managing Editor
Scott Laird
503-367-0098
scott@vernoniasvoice.com
Contributors
Nick Galaday
Stacey Lynn
Aaron Miller
Bob New
John F. Phillips
Photography
Scott Laird
Want to advertise?
Have an article?
Contact: scott@vernoniasvoice.com
One year subscriptions
(24 issues) $35
Vernonia’s Voice is published
on the 1st and 3rd Thursday
of each month.
Vernonia’s Voice, LLC
PO Box 55
Vernonia, OR 97064
503-367-0098
www.VernoniasVoice.com
• Kitchen & Bathroom Remodels • Finish Carpentry
• Ceramic Tile Work • Custom Home Construction
• Additions • Commercial Tenant Improvements
Jim Morrison, Jr.
General Contractor
CCB# 112057
Ph: (503) 429-0154
MorrisonRemodeling@hughes.net
Vernonia, OR 97064
• Licensed • Bonded • Insured
Cedar Side Inn
Taco Tuesday
from opening until 9pm
3 hardshell or 1 softshell $4.25
Sat, Sept. 16
• Specialty hamburgers
Texas Hold ‘em
• 8 Draft beers & mixed drinks
Sat, Sept. 23
Triple Edge
• 5 Craft beers on tap
• Pool tables & satelite TV
• Free Wi-fi
• Beer & Kegs to go
Sun - Thurs 11 AM - Midnight •
733 Bridge St, Vernonia
“BIKER FRIENDLY”
Fri - Sat 11 AM - 2:30 AM
• 503-429-9999
Ladies’ Night
every Thursday 6pm-close
• Free Pool • Free WiFi • Specialty Pizzas
iheck our Facebook page for daily specials and upcoming events
756 Bridge Street, Vernonia
503-429-5841
