In this course we will look at the flow of money in five areas of our culture and ask the question; why are we spending so much and what are we getting in return? We will look at the history of the Federal Reserve Bank, the military industrial complex, health care, the food industry and the legal system in an attempt to discover how we have arrived at where we are today. If we are to change where we are going, it is important to know where we have been. As the old saying goes, those that fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it. Based on what we have learned, we will look for a common truth with the hope of finding long lasting solutions that will empower all people.

America: Solutions for a Sustainable Future Part 1: Introductions and the phycology of belief. As a class, we will introduce ourselves to each other and then begin to discuss how our minds operate to form our beliefs about the problems in this country and what we know about them. We will look at how we process information to arrive at our own unique reality.

Have you wondered where your recycling is actually going and how it’s made into something new? Join Lena Ives, ecomaine environmental educator in learning more about what should be in your recycling bin, where these items end up, and how to reduce your household waste and carbon footprint.

America: Solutions for a Sustainable Future Part 2: Federal Reserve Bank. We will discuss our monetary system, its history and why it is not sustainable into the future. We will look for and discuss possible solutions.

America: Solutions for a Sustainable Future Part 3: The Military Industrial Complex. We will look at the history of our involvement in war and the ever increasing military budget. Approximately 52% of all federal spending is for the “military industrial complex.”

From your backyard to an industrial composting facility, we’ll go over all the ways available to make sure your food scraps are contributing to local soil production instead of sitting in a landfill! Join Lena Ives, ecomaine environmental educator in learning more about what’s in your trash can and how to reduce your household waste.

America: Solutions for a Sustainable Future Part 4: Our Health Care System. As a nation we spend more than 3.5 trillion dollars a year (over $9000.00 per citizen) yet we are the sickest industrial nation in the world.

America: Solutions for a Sustainable Future Part 5: The Food and Beverage industry. We will discuss how the food industry may be directly responsible for the majority of the health problems we face in this country. We will look at ways to stay healthy and reduce costs.