The US Solidarity Economy Network

The Solidarity Economy is an alternative development framework that is grounded in practice and the in the principles of: solidarity, mutualism, and cooperation; equity in all dimensions (race/ethnicity/nationality, class, gender, LGBTQ); social well-being over profit and the unfettered rule of the market; sustainability; social and economic democracy; and pluralism, allowing for different forms in different contexts, open to continual change and driven from the bottom-up. See www.ussen.org

Thanks to ECODEMA http://ecodema.org/

10 Question Survey on Democracy and Corporate Rights

Directed to Candidates for US Representative from Ohio

1. Do you believe that business corporations should be allowed directly or through corporate-sponsored Political Action Committees (PACs) to donate to or invest money in political candidates or issue campaigns? (Note: at one time in Ohio, they couldn't.) If not, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

2. Do you believe that public officials should have the right to examine the financial books of business corporations (i.e. to prevent future Enrons and mortgage company collapses and/or to access the true profits of oil companies)? (Note: at one time in Ohio, they could.) If so, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

3. Do you believe that business corporations should have the right to move toxic trash into communities from another state if people in those communities don't want it? If not, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

4. Do you believe that people should have greater legal and constitutional rights than business corporations? (Note: at one time in Ohio, they did). If so, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

5. Do you believe that the health care system in the United States should be patient-run / doctor-run or run by insurance corporations? If the former, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

6. Do you believe that the public has ultimate control over the public airwaves rather than media corporations? If so, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

7. Do you believe that the public or business corporations should be in charge of electronic voting machines that are used in public elections? If the former, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

8. Do you believe the Iraqi people have a right to control their own oil reserves (and by extension the right to control their own nation), or that oil production and profit decisions should be placed in the hands of US and other western oil corporations? If the former, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

9. Do you believe workers should have the right to free speech and free assembly (contained in the First Amendment to the Bill of Rights in the US Constitution) on corporate property? If so, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

10. Do you believe the public has the right to know the ingredients of food they eat or that business corporations have “Free Speech” rights to not publicly release the ingredients of the food they produce? If the former, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

Please mail completed survey by February 29 to Northeast Ohio American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), 2101 Front St., #111, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 or fax to 330-928-2628 or email to GColeridge@afsc.org. Thanks!

The Sayings of The Nuu-chah-nulth Elders

Taken from "The Sayings of Our First People", Theytus Books 1995

On being Quu?as (1) ...treating people with dignity, respect, friendliness, using good kind words to uplift the person's spirit. ...no open criticism. Nothing is said in harshness. Do it gently. ...respect for self, for other people, the land, the ocean and all resources...knowing how to listen and listen with respect... don't judge other people... caring sharing, humility were important... Humor was another valued characteristic... All humans are precious...We are all related. We are all but one, and that is the way we were taught. Watch nature. Nature tells you everything. That's the philosophy of the old people. Whatever you do, never go overboard. You've got to practice what the whitemen call moderation.

On the raising of children – [They] weren't taught in a strict manner, but gently and with care... This was the true nature of the Indian feeling...that loving upbringing of children...taught primarly by example and oral tradition.... respect[ing] the child's emotional needs to be at ease, to be comfortable so it could learn. Teachings were repeated over and over again throughout life. You don't let them listen to your ill feelings, your hate. That kid is going to grow up hating that person who the parents hate. Discipline came mostly with pride. Indians were a very proud people. Way back in time we had "pritnear" non-existent abuse and neglect of children... they weren'y physically punished, they were just told it wasn't right. ...they weren't being scolded. They were being given teaching advice. The mamaln'i way (2) ...if they do something wrong, Okay, you are punished. Whereas with our people, they'd set the kid down and talk to them...To me the proper way of doing things. Don't slap a kid. If you hit them anywhere you'll be sorry.

On girls and women. [Girls were told they were] ...a very special kind of person... respected by all...loved by all. Men are different from women. Women have stronger minds. We had women at times that could take over a Chieftanship...[or] a ministerial post within our government tribal set-up, and yes, even act like a clown. (3) It wasn't just confined to the male folk.

On raising boys – [The father] ...would talk to him gently at all times because if you spoke harshly, they would remember it... and bring it against you... [He would be told to be] generous and kind... not to do wrong to other people. [The father would tell the boy about marriage] the children come first. Your wife comes second. You come last... And if you can't face responsibility, don't bother getting married.

1.The People. Also referring to being Nuu-chah-nulth.

2. White people, literally "the ghost people", referring less perhaps to skin color, and more to a general lack of substance.

3. I suspect the role of clown was important in Nuu-chah-nulth society as it was in other cultures.