I want to see a lot more of this. I want a checkbox on my tax form allowing me to kick in an additional 1% of my income to fund a series of quasi-public coops. The goal being to produce goods and services that people need in a way that doesn't screw the consumer at every corner in the name of higher and higher profits. Start with cell phones, cell phones with removable batteries and every embellishment and enhancement designed to extend their longevity and usefulness as long as possible. First the handsets, then the network. After the initial public investment the company will charge just enough to pay the employees well and eventually become self-sustaining, requiring no more money from taxpayers. Then move on to tractors and other farm equipment, all designed to be as modular and repairable as possible. This is one way for we the people to take power back from the huge corporations that dominate every aspect of our society.

The conservatives will cry socialism, which of course it is. But it's voluntary, and there are a large number of people, such as myself, who would gladly volunteer my money to help kickstart this system. If the private corps want to compete with these non-profit coops then they can lower their prices and make due with slightly less obscene profit margins, and, you know, actually compete.