Agorism in Action Weeekend Part 3

What is Agorism?

Basically it's doing all the things people have freely done for thousands of years.  It's getting back to a simpler life that has more freedom.

It is buying, selling, trading, and working without all the licenses, taxes, and controls placed on you by so-called "authorities".

Take some time each weekend to practice a little bit of free commerce.

The fight for freedom...

The fight for freedom is here, not where the politicians send the troops.  It is local, not in a far off land.

Liberty won't be handed to you by order-following kids in uniform who have never seen a day of freedom in their lives.

Freedom begins in your mind and spreads outwardly from there.

What Socialism Looks Like Part 2

Click Here for Part 1

It's an election year, so the unions are out spending money in a big push for an increase in the minimum wage. Whenever unions come out of the woodwork, you invariably see the communist wings of those parties (often in the leadership positions) come out and start pushing for other communist ideas as well.

Lately the #FullCommunism hashtag has been trending on social media as more and more politicians start voicing support for a minimum wage. It's obvious that none of the people supporting this movement have ever lived under a communist regime, so here is another video illustrating what every day life was like in the Soviet Union.

This video shows various shopping experiences in Tallinn in 1990, the capital of Estonia, one year before they revolted and gained their independence from the Soviet Union.

Food was rationed in order to make sure that everyone got their "fair share".  Again, we see the quality of products and customer service when competition and the profit motive are removed from the economy.

Notice the lines for purchasing gasoline.  To those of you who think that it can not happen here, all you have to do is look to the 1970s to see that it already has happened here.  Many of us have no problem remembering the gas lines caused by rationing which was the result of the 1979 Energy Crisis that was created by the Iranian Islamic Revolution and idiotic U.S. foreign policy.

Once again, we see the effects of a top-down, command and control economy or "Planned Economy". 

In 1991, Estonia declared their independence from the USSR after a 4 year revolt known as the "Singing Revolution".  

The destruction of the centralized government, attracted investment from outside Estonia and from within.   In 2003, only 12 years after the above video, we see the effects of Capitalism in the same city of Tallinn.  

Still, we have idiots making and selling this stuff. 

Selling?  Not very Communist...

What Socialism Looks Like

Here is a video of a Soviet Era grocery store in Russia  from 1986.   

This striking video shows what happens when government regulates commerce.  This is the end-result of central planning and bureaucracy.  This is a prophecy of what is to come in the United States and other countries that are on the path of Socialism.  

Despite the warnings from those who lived there, the United States is steaming down the path of totalitarianism at full speed.

I grew up with a friend whose family escaped from Russia.  I remember a story he told in elementary school.  He told me about the time his father walked into a supermarket for the first time in the U.S.  He said that his father took a few steps into the door then stopped in his tracks, his jaw dropped, and just stood there and cried.

These stories are unheard by people like this:

Take a look at the video to see what society considers "fair".

More Agorism in Action

More ways to practice Agorism and build the Free Economy

Starting a business is hard work.  There are many permits, licenses, and other forms of bribery that are
needed to be taken care of before you can even start selling your product or service.

Most businesses start with an idea or a passion for one's art.  Unfortunately that is where a lot of them end, because of all the licenses, permits, fees, taxes, and regulations that hinder the free practice of that art or trade is too much for many people to bear, so they trade their passion in for a job that they often despise.

So, one can go trying to change the laws by getting more laws passed, but that never simplifies the process.

That's where Agorism comes into play.  That is where we simply ignore the state.  We build, expand, and take part in the underground economy.  It's as simple has doing odd jobs where you get paid under the table, send your kids out to mow lawns, and things like that.  We all do it already, so why not just do more of it?

In addition to the previous ideas presented previously, here are some additional ways that you can practice Agorism in your neighborhood and help build the free economy.

Produce a product

That idea for that product that you wanted to produce and sell, but couldn't because you couldn't get past all the bureaucracy, did not have the proper permit, or went blind trying to figure out how to collect, report, and pay sales taxes to your city, county, and state every month?

Make it anyway.  Sell it online.  Sell it to your neighbors, at craft fairs, special events, conventions, or trade shows.  Get out there and do it anyway. Forget about asking permission from your government!  They don't care about you, so why care about them?

Perform a  service

Kids used to do this all the time.  They mowed lawns, shoveled snow, painted fences, washed cars, ran lemonade stands, and all sorts of things like that.  These activities taught them valuable life lessons. Government never bothered to regulate them because they were seen as good opportunities to educate children about economics and work ethics, and it kept them out of trouble.

Now the government sees this as crime.  They see this as cheating them out of tax revenue.  Lately, government has been issuing citations and fines for kids doing these things without a license and reporting the income.

I'm afraid I'm going to have to confiscate these donuts.

If you have a skill, don't worry if you're licensed or not.  Offer that skill for hire.  If your neighbor's fence needs repair and you can do it.  Offer to fix it in trade for something.  Perhaps cash or one of those cool plants that he grows in his basement.

Buy/Sell on Craigslist

Craiglist is an incredible resource for agorism.  It's like a huge garage sale online.  People buy and sell millions of dollars worth of goods and services every day.

You can be a part of that underground economy right now if you haven't already.  Whatever you are in the market to buy, a tractor, snow blower, pizza oven, or Asian massage treatment - before going to one of the big chains or even one of the local retailers, check out your neighbors on Craigslist.  Chances are you'll find it there and you won't have to pay any sales tax.

Probably not going to happen at Massage Envy

Plant a garden

Planting a garden may seem like a lot of hard work... and it is.  But you're probably already gardening.   If you're living in a house, you probably spend a lot of time tending to your lawn.  The lawn is in fact a type of garden.  You spend many a weekend watering, fertilizing, and harvesting your lawn.  Harvesting?  Yeah, harvesting with that thing you call a "lawnmower".  Every weekend you go out and collect your harvest and dump it in the trash or perhaps in a compost heap.  That's right!  You are a garbage farmer.

How did this now-seemingly ridiculous tradition of maintaining a lawn come about?  Well, in America lawns were seen as a sign of wealth.  Short grass, generally meant that you had owned a herd of sheep that grazed on your property.  Most grasses used in lawns were not native to North America, they were native to England, where royalty and wealth lords kept well-manicured lawns as a symbol of their dominion of their land and of nature itself.

In America, lawns were not really popular for the common folk until the Industrial Revolution, which enabled many "average" Americans to live like kings.  The planting of lawns was a symbol showing that a man's home was indeed his castle.

'Murica!!

Today, that symbolism is gone.  A lawn is no longer a symbol or royalty.  Too often a well-manicured lawn is mandated by city ordinance or Home Owners' Association bylaws.  In other words, too often, a good looking lawn is a symbol of blind obedience to lords and lawgivers, rather than a symbol of sovereignty and dominion.  It simply shows that you're a damned good garbage farmer.

Aesthetically acceptable according to government

So, why not divert at least some of that time and energy into growing plants that have value in the market, like food?  Not long ago, people were encouraged to grow their own food.  Victory gardens were all the rage after WWII.  Today, planting a garden might get you a citation and a fine.  Selling food that you grow at home could get you in big trouble with health officials, bureaucrats, HOAs, and tax officials.  The government would much prefer that you spend each weekend of your life wasting your labor on meaningless and valueless endeavors such as filling trash bags with lawn clippings, so that your local trash collection unions can keep their dues-paying members busy.  And we all know that nothing goes together like unions and corrupt politicians.

Probably an illegal "eye sore" in your district and according to Lettuce Growers Local #972

Everyone needs food, even those neighbors of yours.  Most people have such a need for food that they are willing to give money to get it.  Yes, instead of throwing away that annoying crap that comes out of the dirt, you can actually sell it!

So, dig up your lawn and start planting food.  It will save you money on your grocery bill and you can probably make some money and/or with your neighbors.  You don't have to start with your entire lawn. Start with a small section, then work from there.

Still more to come...

There are many more ways to get involved and start participating in a free economy and build a more free society.  Feel free to share your experiences, your ideas, questions, or comments in the comments section below.  

As always, don't hesitate to share, Like/+1, and/or donate some Bitcoin.  

Kick off the "Agorism in Action Weekend" with these 6 Simple Activities

6 Simple and fun ways to begin practicing Agorism

In America, we have all become accustomed to having every single one of our financial transactions reported

to a governing body of some kind.

 Even simple purchases at a grocery store or gas station get reported to state and local officials for sales tax collection and audits.  

That penis pump you bought at your local porn shop?  A copy of the receipt is probably sitting in some county office clerk's office right now.  If you paid with a credit or debit card, you can bet that your bank knows about it and they are required to share this info with state and federal tax authorities and regulators.  

These invasions into the private trading of goods and services by an ever expanding and abusive central bureaucracy is fueling a growing movement of trade and commerce that takes place outside of the regulatory tentacles of banks and governments.  This movement is called "Agorism", from the Greek Agora which refers to the central areas of ancient cities where people would gather to trade.  

Ranging all the way from simple bartering goods or services to full-fledged "Black Markets", Agorism is a growing trend that is designed to drive a little bit of government out of our daily lives and live a little more free.  

Here are some easy steps, you can take to get started.  You've probably already done many of these and didn't realize that you were taking part in a little bit of anarchy.  You may have even violated a few laws in doing these things.  But like man great freedom movements, sometimes a few rules need to be broken if you want to live free. 

Garage Sale

This time-honored tradition may not seem like an act of rebellion or anarchy... It may not seem like anything related to the "Liberty Movement" at all.  However, most garage sales are illegal in the United States.  In addition to the thousands of municipal laws, rules, and regulations that govern your right to sell your own stuff to willing buyers in your neighborhood, there is great interest at the federal level.  Yes, you are required to report any income you earn from any sales to the IRS, but you are also under regulation of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and may be held liable for any products deemed "unsafe" by federal standards. Fines can reach as much as $100,000 for illegally selling stuff you already legally purchased.  

The Horror!!!!

Despite the many dangers that the state presents to you in daring to sell your own stuff on your own property, there is fortunately very little enforcement of these regulations.  You are more-likely to receive a complaint letter from your Home Owners' Association if you do not adhere to their policies regarding yard sales and such.  Go ahead!  Live dangerously!

Set up a Lemonade Stand with your kids

Here we have another time-honored tradition, one that is practically synonymous with Americana.  The illustrious Lemonade Stand!  True, they are not as popular as they once were, but they still exist.  This is a great way to teach your kids the value of creating a product and selling it to the public.  There are so many economic lessons that can be passed down to children through this traditional street-corner business.  

Anarchist's Boot Camp

Once again, an American tradition that most all of us grew up with is under assault by busy-body regulators and police forces looking for revenue in every crevice of your life.  What better opportunity to show children the all-reaching power of the State and how they may only earn a living with the blessings of the police power?  All over the U.S. police have been cracking down on lemonade stands and issuing fines to parents for operating a business without license and/or selling food without permits and inspections.  

This makes it a great opportunity to teach children not to be intimidated by revenue officers who make a living shaking down small business in order to protect Big Agribusiness.  

Backyard Barbecue

A great many of us barely know our neighbors.  With most households needing two incomes, many of us are gone all day and are busy tending to our own houses and families in the evenings that we do not get to know those living right next to us.

This isolation from those around us has provided a great catalyst for the growth of the Police State.  Look at how many people who are quick to call the police on their next-door neighbor for music that is too loud or a barking dog rather than go knock on the door and politely make a simple request.  

They are probably not going to poison you

Most everyone loves a good BBQ... including probably those neighbors of yours.  You can organize this in your own backyard or at a nearby park, so you won't have to worry about cleaning up after them.  Many parks have grills already there for you to use along with picnic tables and covered patios, all of which which add to the convenience.  

While this may not seem like counter-economics, it really is.  This can easily replace going out to a restaurant.  If you grow your own food, it provides you an opportunity to discuss sharing, trading or selling that food to others.  It's also a great time for the kids to play together, to exchange recipes, and get to know the people in your community.

Craft sale

Craft sales are very popular.  Your local community center and convention center probably have them on a regular basis. Children love learning crafts, and many adults make all sorts of crafts for hobbies.  If you're one of these people, you should probably find buyers who might be interested in your goods.  

Unregulated Commerce

It's also a great place to pick up some home decor and support local artists and avoid the big box stores. Again, this also serves as a great way to meet new people, get ideas for your own crafts, make some money under the table, and experience a little free-market capitalism.  

Attend a Farmers' Market

With all the dangers of Genetically Modified foods (GMOs), pesticides, herbicides, and artificial fertilizers that are used in modern commercial and factory farming, it's a good idea to get to know where your food comes from.  

A great way to do this is to start shopping at Farmers' Markets, where you can meet the people who grew the food you're purchasing from.  Locally-grown produce supports small family-owned farms.  While not all of it will be organic, your choices there will be greater than being stuck with what the buyers at your local supermarket offer you.  

Get a free Bitcoin Wallet

I'm sure you've probably heard of Bitcoin by now as it's been making headlines with its recent boom in price to well over $1000 a coin and subsequent fall in price down to around $450 a coin as of this writing.  

Bitcoin is a digital encrypted currency.  While it is not an actual coin, or tangible at all for that matter, it is money.  Bitcoins are digitally encryption keys that are exchanged as currency on a peer-to-peer network. Financial transactions are secure and can be as anonymous as you like.  

Bitcoin is one of many crypto-currencies that are in existence and more are being created all the time.  They can be converted to and from any other currency or to any other crypto-currency on a  variety of exchanges.  

To learn more about Bitcoin, take a little time (less than 2 minutes) to watch this video:

To get started with a free Bitcoin wallet, which only takes a few seconds, you can go to:  https://blockchain.info/wallet and follow the simple instructions.  

Or if you would like a very good cloud-based wallet that is very user-friendly, I recommend: www.coinbase.com.  

More to come!

These are just a few of the simple things that can help strengthen communities while doing a lot to advance the cause of liberty.  Each one of these ideas presents the opportunity to share ideas, to educate others about living free, and to have a great time in doing it.  I will post other ideas as well.  

Please subscribe/follow, share, and repost.  You may also leave a small tip using Bitcoin if you found this to be of value.  

Feel free to leave additional ideas, your experiences, questions, and success stories in the comments section.