This Land is Whose Land?

“As I was walkin’ – I saw a sign there
And that sign said – no tress passin’
But on the other side …. it didn’t say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!

This land is your land, this land is my land
From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me

In the squares of the city – In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office – I see my people
And some are grumblin’ and some are wonderin’
If this land’s still made for you and me.

This land is your land, this land is my land
From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me” – Woody Guthrie 1940

It’s All in Your Head

We know the money is “out there”, as well as the land, and the structures…so, what’s stopping us from fixing the housing shortage problem?

“The mental world can be grounded in the physical world by the concepts of information, computation, and feedback.” – Steven Pinker, from “The Blank Slate”, 2002

As a civilized society, it’s difficult to accept the reality and responsibility of homelessness. Extreme poverty goes against every moral and ethical fiber in our DNA, yet is extremely inconvenient to a commodity-based consumer culture. Our system, through the channels of media, government and finance, requires an elevation of our comfort level, or at the minimum, the illusion of such. You certainly wouldn’t be encouraged or expected to spend money to increase your discomfort. Yet pain and discomfort can also be powerful motivators.

We must find a way to turn the discomfort of homelessness, into a warm and fuzzy comfort felt by those who have the ways and means to solve the problem. Fixing the problem could now become an addictive adrenalin rush, and a nearly insatiable lust for what makes us feel good. The energies used in satisfying our own needs for comfort and security can be harnessed to also improve the comfort and security of those less fortunate.

“An infinite range of behavior can be generated by finite combinatorial(sic)programs in the mind.”- Pinker

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you…the golden rule. Golden, because it not only satisfies the lusts and greed of human nature, but cures the ailments of your neighbor. When “the me first” philosophy begets the automatic “and them, too”.

So, fix it, already! You have every reason to believe that the process of eliminating homelessness will make you richer, happier, and far more comfortable.

The Trust for Public Land NH

Camping

Portable People

Marijuana Farming for the Homeless

Before you roll your eyes, we’ve got to start thinking outside the box, to create the revenue and community support needed to house those without a roof.

I’ve often promoted the idea of a federal megabucks lottery. Every week a million dollar winner, the rest going towards a just healthcare system, and affordable housing. Those that would rather gamble their money than put it to good use, may now do both. Casinos may also provide a source of revenue to help alleviate poverty issues. Of course, we’d have to do a better job than we did with state lottery money meant to build on and enhance public education.

The revenue that could be tapped from sales and taxes on marijuana grown could alleviate the affordable housing issue overnight, relatively speaking. We take an acre or two of state or city land to be used as a prototype for future growers, who will supply the legal dispensaries of medical marijuana with their product. This project could be done with support from UNH Agricultural Dept, and provide the city with a valuable template for future growers, as well as test the chains of distribution for medical marijuana. The city would become the state’s first grower, and from the sale of the product, provide financial resources to alleviate housing shortages. Workers could be enlisted from the homeless population, with either cash or housing accommodations as payment. A bunkhouse/shelter could be built on the same property, with showers and laundry, and solar-paneled roofs, with help from grants.

I’m thinking back to the all day sun received on the city owned property adjacent to the Friendly Kitchen, and what a convenient spot that might be. Maybe further outside town, with shuttles for workers. Concord could become known as the model city who solved the housing for homeless issue, and implemented fast-track prototypes for dealing with the legalizing marijuana issue, medical or otherwise, all in one stroke.

Outside the box, down on the farm.

Legalized

RIP Hardy Macias

Home Grown