Historically, the expressed purpose of exiling someone is been to protect the society from the poor decisions of the exiled. I agree with this function, but I also think exiling would remind our politicians just how hard it is to survive. I’ll admit, the logistics of the campaign, described below, sound extreme. Although I do not believe society should go back to a strictly agrarian, subsistence-farming framework, I do believe that the farmer is the essential building block of any household or community. So, what better way to remind a politician who they serve, than to make them occupy the same role as society’s most essential worker?
The basics of the exile process would/could look like the following:

1. Every politician in Minneapolis can be nominated.
2. Every resident of Minneapolis gets a vote.
3. Once elected, the politician can either…
   a. Resign from their position and agree to abstain from any future leadership role (I think this should include all political functions as well as board positions, managerial roles, etc.)
   OR…
   b. Agree to spend 1-3 years in “exile” in order to become more grounded in the material realities people must endure. The duration of their exile depends on how long it takes them to make a fully functioning homestead.
4. If they agree to being exiled, they will…
   a. Vacate their home and it will be used to house a house-less person for the duration of their exile.
   b. Move onto an empty plot of land within or without the city limits. Their household will be allowed to join them, and any accommodations necessary to preserve the community, friendships, schooling, etc. of their children will be made.
   c. They will be given a list of structures/dwellings to choose from. All options will be eco-sustainable with a minimal carbon footprint e.g. straw-bale house, rammed earth, yurt, adobe brick, solar powered/small wind electricity, etc.
   d. They will be guided by skilled builders, farmers, metal workers, electricians, carpenters, sewers, herbalists, off-grid homesteaders, etc. in order to set up a viable living situation where they will build their home, grow their food, repair/make their clothing, and construct all appliances, furniture, and electrical systems necessary to sustain their life and comfort.
   e. Obviously, the amount of food they grow will not meet their nutritional needs, especially if they only have something like 400 sq. ft of land to work with (20′ x 20′ plot) and only 1-3 growing seasons. Therefore, they will be supported with governmental rations/food rescue/donated food that accommodate their dietary needs/sensitivities.
   f. They will have access to medical services and all other basic necessities deemed essential.
   g. They will not have access to a personal vehicle, but they can use public transit and can build a bicycle. They can also ask for a ride from others.
   h. They are allowed to have a minimum wage job or volunteer locally if they have the time, energy, and will to do so. All monies made will be recycled back into the exile program.
   i. If they would like to make a phone call or use the internet, they can go to their local library.
   j. Funding for the project will come from a combination of the politicians’ personal savings, funding for police, and other tax dollars.
   k. All other nuts and bolts can be worked out later 🙂
5. After the 1-3 years, the exiled politician will write up a brief report of their experience for the general public to read.
6. Their previous home will be returned to them and appropriate housing will be found for the person who was occupying their residence (perhaps the new homestead if they would like). Alternatively, the politician could choose to stay on the homestead after their period of exile.
   
   Hopefully, during their exile, the politician will gain a sense of urgency about the issues facing our city. Hopefully the politician will take advantage of all the resources available to them for self-sufficiency and self-improvement. Hopefully the politician will become a better leader – a more creative/visionary leader.
   And hopefully, the citizens of Minneapolis will feel they can hold politicians accountable in a serious way. But to be honest…the exile I’ve laid out above, despite being difficult, sounds kinda fun.
   

Sign the petition to bring back exile/ostracism here.