Reply #2: k*r It's mostly local

[autorank]

Not all but mostly, as I see it. Excellent interview. Thanks for sharing this here.

Here's a key point: "If there is to be Democracy, it is going to have to be local grassroots and ultimately come through municipal civil disobedience, where entire towns or counties or states defy a higher order of government that is attempting to direct actions against the people, most commonly through unfunded mandates. Examples include protecting medical marijuana patients, same-sex marriages, and refusal to legitimize the results of secret corporate vote counting machines (as Andi Novick recently announced that Columbia County, NY Election Commissioner Virginia Martin has pledged)."

I see this as a key element of governance in the future. The national consensus is still strong in terms of symbolism but on particulars there are strong objections based on locality. It's a double edged sword however. Local communities can insist on teaching creationism and banning gay marriages in defiance of a state authority.

One precedent for this is the various anti Iraq war resolutions passed by I think over 200 cities, almost all of the large cities included. That didn't have the force for resistance for a number of reasons but these were resolutions passed by city councils.

I'm reminded of Santa Cruz CA where I spent summers as a child. That enclave had it's own foreign policy and also was defiant on medical marijuana restrictions at the start of that movement.

I see a separatist movement starting on a regional basis first. The Southeastern US is clearly represented by a carnival side show aspiring to be a regional party, the Republicans. Despite their absurdity to many, they don't think they're absurd. Because of voting laws and non participation, these representatives will be emboldened to make a move like Gov. Perry in TX who put secession on the table. Of course, the Texas legislature punished him almost immediately by stripping his personal budget as governor and giving the money to health programs for the handicapped.

That's the crux of it. In any region, you may have a governing class that is not representative of anything close to a majority or even a plurality. They'll keep sniping and try so meting. Lets take the Southeastern states. South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama would be good candidates for a secession action. Then we'd see real street democracy in action. All of those states have significant black populations who would resist not to mention major segments of urban white populations and business interests (who know the federal deal is the best thing ever for them).

We're headed for a big mess. Your idea of localization does have one stellar recommending set of actions - localized economic activity. Borrow from local banks, not the money center giants. Buy from merchants that are local or national outlets that treat workers with dignity. The Walmartization of localities has been a disaster. Localities can also leverage their funds and credit ratings to create their own energy sources. If you have a community with strong local banks (they played no role in the economic troubles) lending to positive local businesses then you create a sense of community and an opening for logical expenditure of public funds on education, energy, etc.

It's a fascinating time and you're tapped into some key concepts on local action as you were on voting and the transparency of the election system.