DIYstributism

Commenter H.D.W.  (7th comment down) wisely suggested a “Do It Yourself” approach to Distributism:

To make economies more centered on individuals and families, work to make your household a place of value creation. This is both powerful and satisfying.

Gardening, homeschooling, raising chickens, caring for elderly parents, shopping at the farmers market, fixing your own stuff, starting a small business are all (more or less) accessible, fun and worthy of encouragement.

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The government has a role to play in not discouraging small scale value creation. Why is it that I pay sales tax on vegetable seed, fruit tree starts and animal feed, but not on canned corn, frozen apple juice, and breaded chicken breasts?

Some excellent ideas, H.D.W.  Here are some others:

  • Shop at small businesses instead of chains & monster online stores.
  • Eat at owner-operated restaurants instead of franchises.
  • Join and participate in co-ops.
  • When you give to charities, donate to those that don’t just toss money around, but  provide working capital and training for the poor (e.g., the Heifer foundation).
  • If you have choices about where to work, but you can’t be an entrepreneur, work for a smaller business instead of a larger one.
  • If you’re in a union, promote the idea of employee ownership.

Anyone else?

Author

  • Eric Pavlat

    Eric Pavlat is a convert from Unitarian Universalism who entered the Church in 1996. He lives in Maryland with his wife and six children. He is also a perpetually professed Lay Dominican in St. Pius V Pro-Chapter, located in Catonsville, MD. He founded Democrats for Life of Maryland, Inc., in 2004, served one term as president, and stayed on the board of directors until 2010. He now considers himself more a Distributist than anything else. Eric teaches 10th grade honors and special education students in English literature, composition, and grammar at his alma mater, Parkdale High School.

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