{..one of the smallest of seeds needing sharp eyes to see it, grows into
one of the biggest of trees, and is now valued throughout the world)
If this subject is of no interest to you please dump it now. We apologise
for any cross postings.
THE DOLE IS NOT YOUR BIRTHRIGHT
Basically, many from both the left and the right in politics seem to have
concluded that participation in the market place is the only real way to
meet one’s needs and fulfil one’s obligations.
As a result, the imperative we are faced with for the mutual obligation
equation is that all Australians have a moral obligation to participate
fully in the work force where they are able.
This moral position stems from an uncritical acceptance of the fact that
land, the basis for community and the source for meeting all our needs, has
become a commodity. It is this fact which fundamentally commits us all to
participation in the market place.
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission challenges the moral
soundness of this situation by stating that "Access to land is fundamental,
and it should be determined by basic principles of human rights and social
justice, rather than exclusively by market forces." (Reference - Chris
Sidoti - Chairman HREOC - 15/10/99)
This principle would make the current understanding of the mutual
obligation equation inappropriate and in need of further re-examination.
A right to land has deeper roots than any right which may exist to
employment in the market place, or to welfare. The right of free access to
land precedes such constructs and exists whether there are market place
opportunities for work or not. Land, like air and water, is part of our
natural heritage. People should not be forced into the market place in
order to survive.
Non Market Alternative
The Welfare Reform recommendation attached describes a model which would
allow unemployed people the option to participate in a non market,
cooperative community workforce. The basis for this model would be public
land for public housing and community development.
Regulation of access to public land could be designed to ensure that
participants in such a model would progress from welfare dependency to
economically, socially and environmentally sustainable productivity. Since
this is the goal which the market economy must also achieve, all steps made
in this direction will be complimentary.
Most of the structures for this non market participation option are already
established in various government policies. These would simply need to be
coordinated.
You can find a fuller description of the proposal in ‘Cooperative Community
- from welfare dependency to productivity’on our home page
http://www.caretakers.org.au/
In considering the pros and cons of the model we present, we hope you will
not be distracted from the basic principle. Land and the other elements by
which an individual may sustain life are freely provided by nature. If the
current debate about mutual obligations is to have a sound morally base,
some suitable option to market place dependency for land access is
essential. We hope you will speak out for this.
Chris Baulman
______________________________________________________
CARETAKERS
http://www.caretakers.org.au/
Sustainable Work, Community and Lifestyle Project
caretakers@earthling.net
02) 4758 8411
Other Archives - Generated on : Sat Aug 26 2000 - 22:34:16 EDT