Iceland’s On-going Revolution
byDeena Stryker, MON AUG 01, 2011 AT 08:47 AM PDT
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/08/01/1001662/-Icelands-On-going-Revolution
An Italian radio program’s story about Iceland’s on-going revolution is a stunning example of how little our media tells us about the rest of the world. Americans may remember that at the start of the 2008 financial crisis, Iceland literally went bankrupt. The reasons were mentioned only in passing, and since then, this little-known member of the European Union fell back into oblivion.
As one European country after another fails or risks failing, imperiling the Euro, with repercussions for the entire world, the last thing the powers that be want is for Iceland to become an example. Here’s why:
Five years of a pure neo-liberal regime had made Iceland, (population 320 thousand, no army), one of the richest countries in the world. In 2003 all the country’s banks were privatized, and in an effort to attract foreign investors, they offered on-line banking whose minimal costs allowed them to offer relatively high rates of return.
The accounts, called IceSave, attracted many English and Dutch small investors. But as investments grew, so did the banks’ foreign debt. In 2003 Iceland’s debt was equal to 200 times its GNP, but in 2007, it was 900 percent. The 2008 world financial crisis was the coup de grace. The three main Icelandic banks, Landbanki, Kapthing and Glitnir, went belly up and were nationalized, while the Kroner lost 85% of its value with respect to the Euro. At the end of the year Iceland declared bankruptcy.
Contrary to what could be expected, the crisis resulted in Icelanders recovering their sovereign rights, through a process of direct participatory democracy that eventually led to a new Constitution. But only after much pain.
Geir Haarde, the Prime Minister of a Social Democratic coalition government, negotiated a two million one hundred thousand dollar loan, to which the Nordic countries added another two and a half million. But the foreign financial community pressured Iceland to impose drastic measures. The FMI and the European Union wanted to take over its debt, claiming this was the only way for the country to pay back Holland and Great Britain, who had promised to reimburse their citizens.
Protests and riots continued, eventually forcing the government to resign. Elections were brought forward to April 2009, resulting in a left-wing coalition which condemned the neoliberal economic system, but immediately gave in to its demands that Iceland pay off a total of three and a half million Euros. This required each Icelandic citizen to pay 100 Euros a month (or about $130) for fifteen years, at 5.5% interest, to pay off a debt incurred by private parties vis a vis other private parties. It was the straw that broke the reindeer’s back.
What happened next was extraordinary. The belief that citizens had to pay for the mistakes of a financial monopoly, that an entire nation must be taxed to pay off private debts was shattered, transforming the relationship between citizens and their political institutions and eventually driving Iceland’s leaders to the side of their constituents. The Head of State, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, refused to ratify the law that would have made Iceland’s citizens responsible for its bankers’ debts, and accepted calls for a referendum.
Of course the international community only increased the pressure on Iceland. Great Britain and Holland threatened dire reprisals that would isolate the country. As Icelanders went to vote, foreign bankers threatened to block any aid from the IMF. The British government threatened to freeze Icelander savings and checking accounts. As Grimsson said: “We were told that if we refused the international community’s conditions, we would become the Cuba of the North. But if we had accepted, we would have become the Haiti of the North.” (How many times have I written that when Cubans see the dire state of their neighbor, Haiti, they count themselves lucky.)
In the March 2010 referendum, 93% voted against repayment of the debt. The IMF immediately froze its loan. But the revolution (though not televised in the United States), would not be intimidated. With the support of a furious citizenry, the government launched civil and penal investigations into those responsible for the financial crisis. Interpol put out an international arrest warrant for the ex-president of Kaupthing, Sigurdur Einarsson, as the other bankers implicated in the crash fled the country.
But Icelanders didn’t stop there: they decided to draft a new constitution that would free the country from the exaggerated power of international finance and virtual money. (The one in use had been written when Iceland gained its independence from Denmark, in 1918, the only difference with the Danish constitution being that the word ‘president’ replaced the word ‘king’.)
To write the new constitution, the people of Iceland elected twenty-five citizens from among 522 adults not belonging to any political party but recommended by at least thirty citizens. This document was not the work of a handful of politicians, but was written on the internet. The constituent’s meetings are streamed on-line, and citizens can send their comments and suggestions, witnessing the document as it takes shape. The constitution that eventually emerges from this participatory democratic process will be submitted to parliament for approval after the next elections.
Some readers will remember that Iceland’s ninth century agrarian collapse was featured in Jared Diamond’s book by the same name. Today, that country is recovering from its financial collapse in ways just the opposite of those generally considered unavoidable, as confirmed yesterday by the new head of the IMF, Christine Lagarde to Fareed Zakaria. The people of Greece have been told that the privatization of their public sector is the only solution. And those of Italy, Spain and Portugal are facing the same threat.
They should look to Iceland. Refusing to bow to foreign interests, that small country stated loud and clear that the people are sovereign.
That’s why it is not in the news anymore.
The task at hand is to become our own leaders. Non-Compliance is one way to do this. I bless Iceland with Love.
Fairy
The world will soon be looking to Iceland as an example, our world is a wonderful green and blue island, just like Iceland - we CAN do this!
Wendy
"To write the new constitution, the people of Iceland elected twenty-five citizens from among 522 adults not belonging to any political party but recommended by at least thirty citizens."
Great idea. Maybe we can elect an entirely new Congress the same way!
Did you also notice that they are building the constitution from input of the citizens over the internet? That's a new one as well. Should be very interesting to see what they come with.
Iceland is the only country on the planet that is predominantly old souls - as distinguished from mature, young, infant and baby souls! I'd expect to see a remarkably wise constitution from them which is inclusive of Earth, all our relations, the feminine principle, qualities and force and our spiritual connection with one another and the divine source and substance of all being.
Maybe. I prefer to see all of us as old souls - as we all have thousands of incarnations all happening simultaneously. No one has an old soul in that respect. We wouldn't be here is we didn't have an "old soul" - after all graduation approaches!
In any case - that would be great to have a consitution that encompasses all of those things!
What I mean by "old" soul as distinguished from young & mature souls, has to do with the focus, interests and character of the individual as described by the Michael entity in say, Jose Stevens' From Earth to Tao. Young souls are out to make their mark in the world, they tend to be ambitious and interested in power, status, fame, acquisition; their relationships are utilitatrian and others tend to be useful to them in the same way inanimate objects are useful. They are engaged in lessons about the sense of power and accomplishment in the world. they will behave ethically if they think they might get caught behaving otherwise; sociopathic personality types would typically be young souls.. Mature souls may also be ambitious but, usually, in a more socially engaged way. They are learning lessons of interconnection and interrelatedness; they are more conscious of the other as "an other" and there is more space in their consciousness for mutual and dynamic relationships with others and the world. Old souls tend to be more focused spiritually, more interested in creating good karma and cleanining up old karma than in creating more. Generally, interested in psycho-social maturity, spiritual growth and service, old souls are looking to complete their earthly rounds and graduate or possibly, return as a bodhisattva.
Until the 60s the US was a predominantly young soul country with a number of mature souls and a sprinkling of old souls seasoning the mix. After the 60s we move into a much more mature soul stage with some significant old soul influences and, subsequently a young & baby soul (fundamentalist) backlash.
As we continue moving into the transition time (3rd to 4th density), many souls' developmental process appears to be accellerating...perhaps we'll all be old souls as we pass through. We'll see.
Anyway, the Michael map of human consciousness its overleaves and progress from spark of the divine in 1st incarnation through assension has prove useful to me and has helped me develop much more tolerance and compassion for somewhat annoying young and baby souls...
I agree that many people, today, are growing spiritually and seem to be more in touch with their higher selves. At the same time, I meet so many mean, petty, self-centered people who make mountains out of insignificant mole hills. I just want to shake them and say, "Wake up! Nothing you're focusing upon is important within the big picture!" How is it then, that these (dare I say, unevolved) people are here at this crucial point in time? They don't seem like "old souls" to me nor do they appear to be anywhere near ready for "graduation."
Material and according to Aaron (http://www.deepspring.org) not everyone here will graduate. They both say to graduate Service to Others you have to be 51% STO & to gradual Service to Self you have to be 95% STS. Many people are less than required to move on in both tracks & so will have to hang back on some third density world.
that's a really scary thought...I don't want to be left behind on some "3rd density" world!!! I just finished the Insight Course and I'm still a work-in-progress, I'm still learning how to love myself fully, how to really accept myself for who I am and how to accept others for who they are. Although I am learning more & more everyday & am totally commited to being the change I want to see, who is it that determines when this 'graduation' happens, and what about the people like me, who are completely dedicated but are still learning and aen't quite there just yet? Are we going to be left behind??!!? I don't believe that will happen to me, not one bit. There should not be a time limit or constraint on awakening to our Divine selves, where if we don't become fully aware in time, then we'll be left to rot. Maybe I misinterpreted what you wrote, I hope that is the case.
It is my understanding that lightwins is correct. When we leave this physical plane, we will each go to the level of evolution that is appropriate for us. I've even read that some 'less than honorable' souls will go to 1st or 2nd density where they can do no one harm.
This is where I read it: http://www.matthewbooks.com/mm/anmviewer.asp?a=26
S: OK dear! You have said that the souls here that knowingly continue to refuse the light won’t go to Nirvana when their bodies die, that they’ll go some place where learning starts over. In all this talk about third and fourth densities and higher, there’s never been any description of first and second. Is that where those souls will go? What kind of life exists in those lower densities, and is it in physical form or only spirit?
9. MATTHEW: Well, dear soul, just as it’s beyond the comprehension of most on Earth to relate to life in higher densities where manifestation by visualization of weather and buildings and scenery is commonplace, it’s also beyond your comprehension to relate to life in the lower densities. Almost without exception, none of you ever has experienced it, so there are no cellular memories much less a fleeting memory bleeding through to consciousness. However, the graphic depictions and surmised intelligence of prehistoric Earth humans is a start on understanding the level of awareness in second density worlds.
10. But first to answer your question, will those souls who knowingly refuse the light go to first or second density placements? Yes. In accordance with the cosmic law of like attracts like, the energy of their lifetime free will choices will draw them to the placement where the energy is in accordance with that which they have generated and is automatically registered in their lifeprints. So you can see that this is purely scientific and neither an arbitrary judgment nor a punishment. In fact, it is the opposite—it is an opportunity for these souls to break free of the spell of darkness by starting over with a fresh slate and with light constantly beamed to them. And yes, life in those lower densities is in physical form as that is the only mode that can provide the kind of learning the souls require.
11. Now then, in the lowest order of inhabitants in second density there is the merest spark of reasoning processes, so reactions to any stimuli are primarily intuitive at a primitive level. The purpose of this nearly tabula rasa mind is to offer the choice of growth steps free from the malice of prejudice or any false preconceptions. So not only is there no memory of previous incarnations where the elements that formed negative emotions and inclinations were a part of life, but there is no reproduction, thus no orientation from parents to children that could include those. The beings in second density are in ageless forms, you could say. As the intelligence level slowly evolves, free will choices become correspondingly wider in scope, and eventually the souls who “see the light” evolve and incarnate in third density realms. If they don’t, they remain in the virtual unawareness of second, and if their choices become heinous, they regress to first density.
12. First density is not a place you would want to look upon. The life forms could rightfully be called beastly appearing creatures rather than people. Just as the souls who evolve into the densities higher than third incarnate in beautiful forms, however differently they may appear from you, souls in the lowest density can only be in forms that befit their free will choices that pulled them into those lowest frequencies. Since the darkness in their souls steadfastly refused the light, they literally choose their living atmosphere to be with barely perceptible visibility, so it is the dimmest and bleakest imaginable environment and the permeating energy is the negativity that they themselves created in previous physical lifetimes. Once again incarnate after a life in spirit, their resolve in that spirit realm to stay within the light when they embody again catapulted back into free will choices like wanton killing, cruelty, hatred, greed and willfully causing others to suffer.
13. Light energy is constantly beamed to these creatures just as it is to all souls in second density, and even with their sub-intelligence level, there is that instinct that has the choice of moving toward the light or withdrawing from it. Those who respond by moving toward the light acquire that spark of reasoning that enables them to ascend into the lowest order in a second density realm.
14. I want to emphasize that these densities have nothing whatsoever to do with the lower levels of Nirvana or the tiny orbiting sphere where the basest souls reside or any other civilizations’ sanctuary realms. All occupants of those areas are souls who have transitioned from physical life to spirit life, and as I said, the souls in first and second density realms are in physical forms. Worlds with these two densities do not have sanctuary realms per se. Instead, each of these worlds has a transitional space where the accustomed form is transmuted into a suitable form for the next higher level as the intelligence is solidified for the soul’s physical step upward. This can happen because the worlds in these two densities are of a layered composition.
15. When souls are ready to embody after contemplation of the experiences they need to evolve spiritually, some need to start over in a physical form with an awareness that you could say is virtually from scratch. So, while this subhuman existence may seem to be loathsome, it is by the grace of redemption that this soul growth experience is made available; and through continuous light beaming, the souls may be motivated to accept that purest and most powerful healing energy and rise above those lowest of stations.
S: Thank you for this information, Matthew. Maybe this will be an incentive to those souls who are hanging onto their dark ways. And even if it isn’t—their agenda probably doesn’t include reading your messages—it can motivate lightworkers to keep on “living the light” and hopefully reach some of the dark souls.
16. MATTHEW: Mother, that is exactly what is helping Earth move into fourth density vibrations! You just need to continue as you are and not become discouraged that the journey may be taking longer than you had hoped!
17. It bears repeating that love and light are the very same energy, only their visible manifestations differ. It is the most powerful energy in the cosmos, the total essence of Creator, and through the Supreme Being of this universe called by God or any other name, it is the original ingredient of all souls; it is the fabric of which every civilization in this universe was formed; and it is the eternal bonding of beloved souls. This truth, which has been hidden from you by the darkness and now is being revealed, is the foundation of your journey with Earth into the era of peace, love and harmony in the higher vibrations of the universe.
there is a cyclic harvesting of souls who are ready to graduate that happens every 25-26,000 years which coincides with earth crossing the galactic equator. Those who are not yet ready can develop at their own pace and when they are ready, they will move to 4th density regardless of whether it is the end of the cycle. In any case, this is just a map - it is neither reality nor is it the truth of our moment to moment experience. All that any of us can do who are on a service-to-others path is to be as kind and hdlpful as we can be in each of our encounters and, when we notice we've been triggerred and are being less thatn kind and helpful, to look within to find the woundedness which causes us to project onto the "other" or "them" our pain and discomfort. This is our work and we can only approach it as skillfully as we can in each now moment.