I think the finest example of honest communal living is the Amish. They have managed to build up themselves a highly admired society which actually is societally productive. These people would never depend on food stamps, but they are not shy about hard work either. The key difference here is that they have a common belief in a transformative deity (Born Again) and a community committment to rejecting those who will not abide by their strict codes.
Even if the New ecofascist order could create something like this for a few brutal years, it would quickly be overturned. There's one thing that Communism, EcoFascism and Islamofascism have in common is that they all must have complete global control in order to function. There is no room for tolerance of any other philosophy or order. They all blame their failure on the success of other philosophies.
In contrast the Amish THRIVE in the community. They live with and trade with the community while living differently and apart from it. The Amish arent trying to save the world, they are focused on trying to save their own souls. Perhaps the EcoFascists could take a lesson.
"The Amish arent trying to save the world, they are focused on trying to save their own souls. Perhaps the EcoFascists could take a lesson."
This is a very good point. Environmentalists I have been acquainted with do not practice what they preach.
They scream "no war for oil", but drive cars that consume oil.
During the WTO demonstrations a few years ago, George Will wrote of how protestors travelled to Seattle by jet - a real departure from the early American pioneers they envision themselves as being.
While I admit to not knowing much about Amish life, and am not disregarding your point, one way of looking at the Amish is that even if they were out to change the world, the example they set is that changing the world always involves changing one's self first.
Wow. Outstanding clip out of an outstanding post -- from a thread filled with great posts! Very well said and thanks for pointing this out. It's profound, the very healthiest food for thought.
Incidentally, I found a local furniture store that carries a large selection of Amish-made furniture. WOW. I find that I like it even more than I like the Craftsman style. It is incredibly beautiful stuff. If it reflects the Amish philosophy, it speaks of serenity, balance, simplicity, efficiency, clarity.