Doesn't sound like a rant mate. It's a cool idea as far as I'm concerned. I'm not sure how suitable this topic would be for this particular forum, it may be that the mods feel it would fit in better in the politics forum.
I think that with the cuts coming it may be that more people are going to turn to cycling as a means by which to save money. One small idea your post sparked off in my mind was, perhaps a separate forum (outside of the umbrella of cyclechat if the site runners - very understandably - don't wish to add a bias to their boards,) Set up by experienced cyclists, providing tips on how cycling can be used to save money in the forthcoming hard times and things like that. That way it could be inclusive rather than exclusive, and people could pull together regardless of their own personal politics with a greater good in mind. I know this isnt what you initially asked about, just a wayward thought floating about in my brain
Best of luck with it though mate, I would throw my hat in and help out where I could, although I have neither the knowledge of web building or the knowledge of cycling that such a project would require.