Danger, Opportunity and Vision

We are living in interesting times. Each day we pick up the newspaper or computer and read about another set of looming catastrophes. I am hoping that on the heels of this historic election that we might look at these situations with more creative vision. For example, if the auto industry wants a bailout the answer might be: Yes, if you start building cars that meet our future needs rather than our past unsustainable desires. If a mall operator is suffering from hard times and wants a piece of the bailout pie our answer could be: Sure, if you convert some of the stores to workplace or affordable housing. Rebuild them as multi-use communities. Likewise, all breaks or subsidies given to big oil or other energy sectors should go towards retooling them and our systems for a fossil-free future not getting them to pump or dig our finite resources out of the ground quicker. In all of these deliberations we have to keep our eyes focused on the public good and what is best for the future.