Comments on: Microcredit: The Little Idea That Could

By: DWBartoo

DWBartoo — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 03:25:04 +0000

Maybe, dare we hope?

By: SanderO

SanderO — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 03:19:00 +0000

Last night, I took to the floor of the House of Representatives and outlined our case as to why this Congress must hold immediate hearings on Rep. Kucinichs Articles of Impeachment.

I didnt do it alone: I was armed with nearly 200,000 signatures of support from you and so many others. Please watch the video of this speech and forward it to as many people as possible. I’ve posted it on the front page of www.WexlerWantsHearings.com

This morning, I delivered letters to all of my colleagues in the House of Representatives, urging them to support Cheney Impeachment Hearings. You can read a copy of both the letter to my colleagues as well as the letter to Chairman Conyers I am asking them to sign at:
http://www.wexlerforcongress.c.....ItemID=230

Additionally, I have delivered to my colleagues in the Judiciary Committee a list of names who have signed up at www.WexlerWantsHearings.com. We now have almost 200,000 patriotic Americans dedicated to this cause.

We are beginning to make some progress. I have urged the Democratic Leadership to enforce the subpoenas being ignored by Harriet Miers and White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten by holding them in contempt of Congress.

This fight is not over. You must continue the pressure on your representatives and the media, or Congress will take no notice. That would be a historic mistake one we must prevent Congress from making.

We stand at a critical juncture in our efforts. Forget all of those arguments that it is too late or that we have run out of time. You cant run the clock out on our Constitution. Those of us dedicated to this fight Rep. Dennis Kucinich, the online community, and millions of patriotic Americans will keep the pressure on.

I will be furiously lobbying my fellow members of Congress to get behind these efforts and sign onto my letter to Chairman Conyers.

Please continue to spread the word and help deliver accountability to the corrupt Bush-Cheney administration.

With great respect,

Congressman Robert Wexler

By: DWBartoo

DWBartoo — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 03:15:47 +0000

I like that very much, and will suggest that to the extended family.
Great idea. How can we (all) not … Talk about an ‘investment’!!

By: readerOfTeaLeaves

readerOfTeaLeaves — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 03:09:25 +0000

Yunus explains a ’social business’ as a business that operates to achieve a SOCIAL goal. Not something you’re likely to hear from ExxonMobil. (Okay, you might hear it, but why would you believe it from Exxon or Chevron…?)

It’s the economic stability of the Grameen ’social business’ model that I find especially intriguing. There’s nothing radical or overly complex about it — it sounds very much like a thriving ecosystem where niches develop, are exploited, and open up new opportunities, and that process continues in a manageable fashion.

Yunus expands the potential of capitalism to generate productive activity and shared wealth. In a socially responsible fashion. Ingenius.

By: Prairie Sunshine

Prairie Sunshine — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 03:05:43 +0000

Habitat’s a powerful force around Fargo-Moorhead, partners with the local homebuilders’ association and Concordia College (Moorhead). Operates a resale store of home materials. Recently completed a twin home for two families.

Community coming together–this is the best of what we can be. Too bad they weren’t put in charge after Katrina. People would be in homes instead of toxic trailers.

By: Christy Hardin Smith

Christy Hardin Smith — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 03:04:38 +0000

I love the way that works in terms of multiplying outward for the common good. When you think about the angerand despair that so often go hand and hand with poverty — the very issues that can spark someone’s involvement in terrorism, for example, in parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia. Just being able to give someone some hope that they could do, could be something better makes such an enormous difference in their lives and for their families.

By: Christy Hardin Smith

Christy Hardin Smith — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 03:01:44 +0000

Mr. ReddHedd and I have been on a “Nothing But Nets” kick of late. The group buys mosquito netting that can help to prevent malaria for an entire family. When you look at the statistics of how many children die every year from malaria, and how 10 bucks can prevent that for an entire family? We couldn’t resist giving. And then giving some more.

It’s another one of those incredibly simple yet all the more brilliant for it sorts of concepts. Honestly, when you think about it in terms of saving the lives of someone’s children, how can you not, we said…

By: MFMC

MFMC — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 02:59:29 +0000

I’m a KIVA fan. The concept is straightfoward and simple in itts implementation. Even with my limited income, you can invest within your means and make a difference.

What is interesting is how some of these businesses grow and add employees. You are starting to see a multiplier effect. This is all comming from the bottom up. You are growing a local economy for the local community.

By: DWBartoo

DWBartoo — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 02:57:12 +0000

Christy, if most American could have it put to them, as you have just done, they would probably respond quite favorably. Were our ‘Foreign
Aid’ notions premised upon such principles, few Americans would object and the rest of the world would breathe a sigh of relief, and then hope would flourish. Very well, and meaningfully said!

By: Christy Hardin Smith

Christy Hardin Smith — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 02:55:54 +0000

I love that this is such a flexible concept — that it can be changed on the fly if the events on the ground show that change is necessary. In the book, he talks about the restrictions in regular loans as well as the larger bureucratic ones via the IMF and such, and how bogged down in bureaucratic morass things get, even when a project clearly needs modifications. This allows the aide to go directly to the person who most needs its benefits and cuts out all the middlemen entirely. I love that.

And I love the idea of a social business set up with the yardstick of what good it does for a community and its sustainability as the measure of success, and not how much profit it can squeeze around the margins. Fascinating concept that is going to make for some great discussions.