‘No one is free unless we are all free’
We do not believe in the privatization of socially important goods and services e.g. education, health care, utilities, transportation, public infrastructure, military, housing, social services.
What we do believe in:
· The supremacy of community decision making over corporate governance
· Free and equal public education at all levels and the elimination of all private educational institutions
· No corporate governance/involvement in news media and the creation of an independent public foundation with tax funds to finance free and independent journalism
· All laws providing full and equal treatment to all individuals and groups regardless of any and all characteristics
· Sustainable development and the use of renewable resources for the protection of the environment
· Family planning and a woman’s right to make her own reproductive decisions with the availability of the required services
· Zero tolerance policies for conflicts of interests for government positions at all levels
· Zero political patronage positions at all levels of government
· Zero corporate involvement in the political process at all levels
· Proportional representation and the elimination of the Electoral College
· Free not for profit universal quality comprehensive health care as a human right
· A minimum living/family wage and job security laws
· Fair Trade
· Guaranteed universal quality housing
· No taxation of any kind on a primary residence
· Direct action to foster meaningful change and social justice
In order to achieve these goals TSI believes we must change how people perceive the world around them in order to foster fundamental and thus meaningful change. This requires objective information and a process of transformative learning. Transformative learning goes beyond the mere acquisition of factual knowledge. It seeks to positively impact participants by empowering them with skills that develop their awareness and initiative and to also help them create meaningful learning in their lives. It involves questioning assumptions, beliefs, and values, as well as considering multiple viewpoints. Transformative learning inspires action for change by questioning and challenging what is valued. It emerged from such theoretical models as Jack Mezirow’s perspective transformation, which was influenced in turn by Paulo Freire’s conscientization, a process by which people "achieve a deepening awareness of both the sociocultural reality which shapes their lives and… [develop] their capacity to transform that reality through action upon it". Additional influences include Robert Merton’s theory of the middle range, and Juergen Habermas’ emancipatory action.
