A Hello to everyone

Hello Lads,

I'm Samuel, I'm a welder and artist from North West Donegal. I live with my three year old son Ruairí, and my partner Laura. We are expecting our second kiddy in January, and will be moving down the country after winter with the plan to start back at college in September.

Neither of us grew up in particularly political environments. But personal turbulence in our childhoods swept us across Europe. Homelessness and chaos evolved into a kind of personal anarchy. Beyond finding food and a place to stick the tent, we focused on our own creative development, overtime we became more involved in 'radical' housing projects, demonstrations, acts of civil disobedience etc.

We moved to Donegal when we were first pregnant. We practice a certain amount of self sufficiency, try and make beautiful things, and continue to learn about political alternatives to the problems we as a society face.

It is our understanding that socialism is a purely rational response to these challenges, to the housing crisis, political involvement and accountability, a just democracy, climate change, the list goes on....Our natural solidarity, our empathy for others, has been eroded by neo-liberalism and it's doctrine that states that our freedom is best expressed by our sense of competition, this whilst, many from our communities reap little reward from the current set up.

Housing, is a basic right....I find it hard to swallow, that housing, that is: basic security, is used as a sort of carrot on a stick, a way of keeping the economy moving, and that only your willingness to cooperate with an exploitative and dehumanising system is rewarded with that basic security. Failure to comply means insecurity. Things like artistry, compassion, debate and discussion are not considered vital to our societies.

Solidarity has become a radical act in the face of bureaucratic machines and a blood thirsty media designed to erode that empathy that is intrinsic to our human make up. That solidarity will act as the foundation to our resistance.

SO that's us, I'm no good at writing, so excuse the waffle and wank that comes gushing out when I'm trying to introduce myself.

Luck to all,

Sam.