The Forum > Article Comments > The rights you thought you had > Comments
The rights you thought you had : Comments
By Kellie Tranter, published 9/11/2011Free speech and protest: not the right you thought it was
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Since land, one of the essentials for life, has now been completely commodified, there is no basis for asserting that any other rights exist, even if they are written down. Just ask the homeless ... and the Occupy protesters. Freedom of speech etc is a nonsense without a right to the essentials for life.
The challenge is to reinstate land rights for all, subject to the responsibility to use that right in a sustainable way. That would be a requirement could meet without giving up consumerism, so there is no threat to our "property" investment ... but there is a wonderful opportunity for the poor to develop a sustainable model which others could benefit and learn from. The poor are already living a non consumer lifestyle. (see www.ntw.110mb.com)
Why might it be that the right to land for housing and growing food is ignored? Could it be that such a recognition could be seen as a threat to our "property" interests?
Most of us are heavily invested, either by way of a mortgage or other investment in the great Australian dream of ownership, or are very fond of the consumer life which depends on the exploitation which this system embodies. We therefore might not want to look at the idea that people have a birthright to land, as to air water and sunlight... but any understanding of is required for environmental, social and economic harmony will show that the wheel is turning.