Last winter I took a cross country road trip from the Midwest to Texas, traveling through the state of Arkansas. About 90 miles outside of Little Rock, the expressway ends. We stayed overnight in a dying little town called Newport, where the only place to eat was a McDonald’s.

The next morning we continued on, winding our way through small, forgotten towns. I couldn't believe the extreme poverty I was witnessing. I'd spot a rundown building and think it’s an abandoned garage. Then I’d notice the traces of
smoke coming from the wood stoves used to heat these residents’ “homes”.

I'd seen poverty before, mostly on Chicago's South side or in Gary, Indiana's inner city. I had this false belief that neighborhoods like this diminished as you left concentrated urban areas. In the city, the poor can walk or take public transportation. They can find medical care at a free clinic, food at a shelter, or comfort at a local church. The cars I saw in Arkansas were rusted out old buggies that probably took a miracle to start. It would be easy to get isolated in this mess. The sick and elderly find themselves alone and forgotten, feeling as abandoned as the tin shacks in which they live.

Normally, you find me analyzing the macro-economic forces at work.

What socio-political circumstances precipitated this drop in capital investment?
How did the impact of changing industrial practices decrease the likelihood of diverse, demographic growth?
Should we raise people's taxes?

Damn, this analysis is a steamy crock of pompous horse-shit!

These scenes hit you square between the eyes. And the sad part is, most people don't care. The world is run by a very tiny, elite group of rich white guys with so much inherited wealth they could buy these towns whole in the morning and sell them off for parts in the afternoon. I know some feel bad when they see the grim pictures. They might even donate a few dollars to charity in hopes that a hungry child would get a sandwich. But honestly, folks, how hard have any of us fought for this suffering to cease?

These towns didn't fall yesterday. They've been in this condition for decades. The worst part of rural poverty is that no one has to look. “Out of sight. Out of mind.” And the American dream of upward generational mobility is merely a punch line to an old joke told by an unemployed farmer or nostalgic steel drivin' man. Mitt Romney (or John Kerry for that matter) makes $20 Million in one year, yet there are people living in rundown garage shacks. A child can see something isn't right.

What I learned from my winter vacation:

      One: America needs to change.
      Two: Nobody else is coming. It's up to us.

And so I began to brainstorm. If I had access to anything I needed, what resources and organization would it take to change an entire town? What do these communities need to restore living conditions and reinvent their identity?

Trickle-down economics has failed. How about a "bottom-up movement"?

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INTRODUCING ... B.U.M.

The Bottom Up Movement - a small town/community revitalization project

Participants will be called "Bummers".
Volunteers will be the "Bummer Brigade".
Core advisors will be part of the "Bum’s Rush".

Core Principles of B.U.M.

1. Revitalize already existing but struggling businesses
Key: Begin with existing town resources before introducing outside elements
Discussion: Don't try to revitalize a town by building a Walmart just because they provide jobs. A small town has infinite character of its own. Some of these businesses have been there for decades. Invest in that first.

2. Be open and explore new ideas of town residents
Key: Allow and encourage anyone to pitch an idea.
Discussion: Not all ideas will be acted upon, but any idea should at least be considered. The residents know the area and have insights into what may work or not work. And you may just find a genius hidden in obscurity.

3. Identify the commercial gaps that remain
Key: After Steps 1 and 2, review commerce in the area to find any remaining gaps.
Discussion: Insure that the town has all needed resources. Is it missing obvious businesses like a grocery store or bank? Identify the gaps, and then find town members who can pursue those businesses.

4. Hold periodic town clean-up days
Key: Have you ever driven through a town and thought, "This place would look a whole lot nicer if someone just took a hose to it"?
Discussion: Clean business facades, repair sidewalks, plant some flowers, remove garbage, etc. This can be extended to tearing down abandoned structures. Replace each building with grass and a single tree.

5. Provide Community Healthcare
Key: If a community doesn't have access to decent medical care, it WILL NOT thrive.
Discussion: Organize free clinic days. Provide residents access to medical testing and pharmaceuticals. Also, give people an opportunity to address mental and emotional issues.

6. Improve Educational Resources
Key: Concentrate on adult education and vocational classes.
Discussion: How to start a business. How to build a website. Basic computer skills. Advertising and online marketing. Concentrate on information that allows people to compete in the professional world.

7. Establish a Community Book Exchange
Key: Knowledge is power, but books are expensive.
Discussion: We all have books that we’ve read but don’t need around anymore. Or we’ve bought one of a series, but can’t afford the remainder. Create an organization to share books with our neighbors.

8. Invest in Arts and Culture
Key: Provide a support system for artists including opportunities for exhibitions, town hall concerts, open mike nights, etc.
Discussion: Some individuals don't fit the ordinary mold. Stop forcing square pegs into round holes. Identify those with extraordinary talent in music, painting, writing, acting, etc. Provide them with a basic level of necessities so they have the freedom to pursue their calling. Establish a time limit and other agreements for these residents to give back in other ways.

9. Get the kids involved
Key: Children play a huge role in revitalization.
Discussion: Get kids involved in new businesses. Have them volunteer alongside their parents after school. This gives them a chance to learn skills and build self-esteem. If parents aren’t available, have the kids interact with the artists as a sort of daycare program.

10. Build a "Go To" list of volunteer or low-cost outside resources
Key: During the later stages of the project, bring in outside resources.
Discussion: Once needs have been identified, bring in experts where needed. Gather business leaders for seminars. Invite lawyers for free legal advice. Call on established groups like Habitat for Humanity. Bring in companies that specialize in helping others start online businesses - like inSight Solutions Gateway (personal plug).

FUNDING? WE DON’T NEED NO STINKING FUNDING!
Oh wait a minute, we do. There would be a need to provide grants and low-cost loans to community businesses, and a need for computers and other technical equipment. Raising money would be the major obstacle here. It usually is. Funding could come from donations or special taxes. But once a few towns had been helped and their businesses were firmly established, the residents and commerce of these communities could aid in the development of the next BUM project. After a few successes, the work becomes self-perpetuating and self-sustaining.

“You may say that I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.”

I'm well aware of the idealism in this post. Whether it could happen or not isn't the point. Let's just open our minds and hearts to what it might take to truly reinvent this country.

So, you wanna be a Bummer?