Community rights are about re-localization. It’s how we can help our local food system, strengthen our local economy and keep our environment healthy. After all, we live here; shouldn’t we get to decide what’s best for our community? Communities decide what they want and need and organize around a common goal. When a common goal is established in Allamakee County we can create citizens’ initiatives for community members to vote on. New rules and rights can be established this way. Laws aren’t just about rules. They are about rights too.
Community rights are the only way we – the people of our community – get to decide the look, shape and feel of where we live. Without community rights the decisions are often made by people who don’t even live here!
Community rights are our rights to make choices locally, based on our own unique and regional needs and perspectives. Community rights are tailored to the people, land and special conditions that exist in a specific area. For example, the concerns of the community of San Antonio, Texas are radically different than here in Allamakee County.
Aren't these things the responsibility of our legislators? - Not exactly. Each and every one of us is responsible for the community in which we live. Our community suffers when its members don’t fully participate. Legislators are important, but they tend to be influenced by the most influential – often out of state corporations and special interests. Without organized input from citizens of our community, local decisions are often made in favor of powerful outside interests.
How do we keep our legislators from making the “wrong” decisions? Community decisions take a lot more work and majority citizen input. So, there is a type of built-in safety mechanism that doesn’t exist for legislative decisions. It is a majority-rule process. In a large society, there are only two practical methods of decision making – majority rule or minority rule. Majority rule is the definition of democracy. When a few people – like our legislators – are making all of our community decisions, that’s a type of minority rule. If you feel this minority is doing a great job representing your needs then that’s probably the system for you. But if they’re not, you might want to start claiming your community rights. It is a “use it or lose it” situation!
Community rights are the only way we – the people of our community – get to decide the look, shape and feel of where we live. Without community rights the decisions are often made by people who don’t even live here!
Community rights are our rights to make choices locally, based on our own unique and regional needs and perspectives. Community rights are tailored to the people, land and special conditions that exist in a specific area. For example, the concerns of the community of San Antonio, Texas are radically different than here in Allamakee County.
Aren't these things the responsibility of our legislators? - Not exactly. Each and every one of us is responsible for the community in which we live. Our community suffers when its members don’t fully participate. Legislators are important, but they tend to be influenced by the most influential – often out of state corporations and special interests. Without organized input from citizens of our community, local decisions are often made in favor of powerful outside interests.
How do we keep our legislators from making the “wrong” decisions? Community decisions take a lot more work and majority citizen input. So, there is a type of built-in safety mechanism that doesn’t exist for legislative decisions. It is a majority-rule process. In a large society, there are only two practical methods of decision making – majority rule or minority rule. Majority rule is the definition of democracy. When a few people – like our legislators – are making all of our community decisions, that’s a type of minority rule. If you feel this minority is doing a great job representing your needs then that’s probably the system for you. But if they’re not, you might want to start claiming your community rights. It is a “use it or lose it” situation!
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