There were some key statements removed from my letter [“Co-ops Mean Democracy,” March 7] when it was edited for length. Most importantly, I would have left in the statement: “Cooperatives are about a revolution in values that puts people before profit.” I feel strongly about this point.
Cooperatives are about more than community, they are about more than democracy. They are about maintaining control of our resources and using them to serve the common good. And so, I will say it again as succinctly as I can: We must create and support another economic model and do it soon. The corporate profit-based economy is destroying our planetary ecosystem.
Do something revolutionary. Shop your local co-op, but beyond that, shop as little as possible. Consume less, live more, network, share resources, start new cooperatives, learn to serve one another’s needs without the use of profit-based corporations.
other co-ops include credit unions, farm bureau insurance agency, french broad electric cooperative … telco credit union in asheville does not require that you be employed at any certain place … you can join just by your having a local address …