Mutual Aid Societies

[Stan]

Civil disobedience to protest injustice is something many people understand.
Start with a narrow cause that many people agree on and insure mutual aid for that.
After establishing a heroic global reputation, then branch out to more controversial causes.

Now, what exactly would that cause be?

Socialism?

Yeah, that's not controversial at all...   

[puppies]

Civil disobedience to protest injustice is something many people understand.
Start with a narrow cause that many people agree on and insure mutual aid for that.
After establishing a heroic global reputation, then branch out to more controversial causes.

Now, what exactly would that cause be?

Socialism?

[Stan]

Civil disobedience to protest injustice is something many people understand.
Start with a narrow cause that many people agree on and insure mutual aid for that.
After establishing a heroic global reputation, then branch out to more controversial causes.

Now, what exactly would that cause be?

[puppies]

I would be very interested in joining this society.  I am not sure what I would be willing to pay without knowing more details.  Outside of traffic violations I am not much of a risk factor.  I would be happy to incentivise disobedience to the state though. 

I would suggest adding any government whistle blower on to the list of "crimes"

[merivercap]

I think this can be good to get media attention, but I also hope people go after bigger targets like Obamacare.  That's a mucho-Billion dollar opportunity.  I just google searched this Natural Healtcare Alternative: http://www.mygreensurance.com/ .  It seems exactly like something I would sign up for.  We can probably create a cheaper version of that too. 

Obamacare alternatives:
Self-pay/Accident insurance/Healthcare Sharing etc will see tremendous growth. 

Healthcare sharing plans are really an easier way to provide insurance.  http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2013/12/25/top-8-ways-to-opt-out-of-obamacare/

All insurance: property, casualty, health, life can be turned upside down and done this way.  Just make them mutual companies. Also mutual insurance companies like 'Mass Mutual/Liberty Mutual' are designed this way.  All policyholders own shares in the company. 

Lastly I was hoping the Bitshares blockchain would eventually morph into a mutual organization in the distant future.  Essentially all the shareholders would benefit from receiving transaction fees back to themselves in proportion to their use.   Hence early shareholders who are using it as an investment would gradually shift power to future shareholders that are dependent on BitShares for transactions.   

[Xeldal]

Would this be a single aid pool,  or would there be any number of pools?

I'm guessing that anyone might create one and define it with varying characteristics and guidelines.  Where I could start one for my neighborhood or community, and another for my family and friends;  Create another to Offer to employee's at my company, etc. 

[lovejoy]

The exchange is maturing nicely and will continue to improve. 

This idea is unique and has no competition.   It could drive a lot to bts.

^ This.

[sittingduck]

The exchange is maturing nicely and will continue to improve. 

This idea is unique and has no competition.   It could drive a lot to bts. 

[lovejoy]

 .  I'm in.

I would pay $20-$50 per month.
Might there be the possibility of naming beneficiaries?  Say I have a nephew who is bound to run into trouble with the law, but he's not a member himself.  Would I need to name him specifically?  Or could I have a membership which is essentially me plus 1, plus 2, etc.?

[38PTSWarrior]

This is what I was looking for. A long journey of coincidences or whatever you want to call it.
I could pay 2 Euros a day or 60 a month.

One thing that would be good: If it would be possible to pay weekly or daily.

[Myshadow]

That is awesome, I'd be willing to pay $50 a month for this kind of insurance, maybe more... It seems that if its subject to popular opinion as to what constitutes a payout worthy event it may be less than ideal. Common Law/NAP basis as guidelines for the oracle and i'm in.

I think there needs to be clearer definitions on top of the guidelines as well, for example you get a traffic violation for travelling 10km over the speed limit... Do you get paid out or does the DAC provide funds to fight it in court... Or would it depend on what the claimant requests? ie: would this be a Legal Aid DAC or an insurance DAC?

I'd contribute to both, but maybe more for one over another as i'm at a lower risk for some things than others...

[tonyk]

Is it really "Mutual"? in other words do I have to have contributed beforehand to have a right to claim or the bolded 3 conditions are enough?


"Under this system individuals can only receive benefits if they are a 1.victim, 2.produce verifiable evidence, and 3.have the support of a large number of independent users who individually transfer funds from user to user."

[bytemaster]

A benefit society, fraternal benefit society or fraternal benefit order is a society, an organization or a voluntary association formed to provide mutual aid, benefit, for instance insurance for relief from sundry difficulties.

A blockchain cannot provide insurance as it is traditionally known, but could easily create a community of individuals who help one another when they face difficulties.  These difficulties can be a wide range of things.

We live in a society where most good people standby and do nothing to help those who are the victim of state violence. This includes those who are punished for victimless crimes or laws that violate the constitution or other basic human rights.  Few people are willing to stand up to the government because the costs are very high on an individual.  If we could only stand together then we would all be protected and regain our freedom.

Typically the way this would work is this, each month members contribute funds to an individualized account that can only be used to reimburse authorized claims by other members. Each member would be allowed to make a claim for at most a multiple of funds contributed derived from the ratio of claims paid out.

The process of making a claim involves making a public request for help and getting the request for help certified by an oracle trusted to verify the facts of the claim. Once the facts are certified other individuals may review the claim and "donate" up to $100 from their locked up funds to cover the claim. 

Under this system individuals can only receive benefits if they are a victim, produce verifiable evidence, and have the support of a large number of independent users who individually transfer funds from user to user.

I would start this system for five classes of users:

1. Those who are accused of possessing illegal substances but have not actually harmed anyone
2. Those who are accused of traffic violations for behavior that did not harm anyone
3. Those who are accused of copyright violation
4. Those who are accused of participating in prostitution that did not harm anyone and where no children are involved.   
5. Those who have their assets seized   

In all cases we presume innocence and believe that the accused deserve a fair defense.

This is a unique product that could easily be codified in smart contracts and provide real world utility that does not exist elsewhere.   

This is also a controversial product that would generate a lot of media attention and attract people who might not otherwise care about crypto currency.

So the question is, how much would you contribute each month to join a community of people united in defense against government attacks on peaceful individuals?

If all funds / accounting were done using BTS then the amount you can get paid out will dramatically increase as adoption grows. The locked up funds would take BTS out of circulation until a claim was made.  It could get very interesting very quickly.

Thoughts?