As founder of Ithaca HOURS local currency, I've written the book "Hometown Money," to explain how to start and manage community cash. Hometown Money: How to Create Community Currency
Paul, I've read about Ithaca Hours for many years, and want to video a conversation with you when we come to Ithaca. You're one of the founders of this whole movement! Let's get in touch...I'll message you thru your website. ~Janaia
Jct: As the financier of Michael Linton's first LETS software in Dbase II, I'm always gratified when I hear of people who made use of the freeware to set up their own interest-free anti-poverty lifeboats.
Thank you for this reference: I just learned he was the author of "The Natural Economic Order", who suggests "a medium of exchange that does not gain in value from year to year, but rather loses value progressively, so that anyone who has obtained possession of the medium of exchange has no other interest than to exchange it again as soon as possible for the produce of others." "So we must make money worse as a commodity if we wish to make it better as a medium of exchange."
@rationalityRules, Francis has been in the US a long time, so his accent may have gotten ....blurred. He described to us a number of local currencies he helped set up, I believe along the western side of the UK. Does where he come from alter his message?
This is so right on and refreshing! Actually I've been working on a LETS myself for several years and I am always amazed that most people just do not get it. A friend told me that fish do not talk about water, and people do not talk about money for the same reasons. This is something that everyone needs to be thinking and talking about. While I agree that a LETS is the way to go, I also realize there must be many good solutions out there.
You're absolutely right. I live in B'ham (HQ) and went to a couple of meetings (including today) and this monetary system is extremely flawed. First of all, he is the central manger of all this exchange. He claims that there is transparency, but even by looking at the website, it really is not. Another thing is that all members have to pay a yearly membership fee in 25 USD. You can't use your LDs to pay this. It is kind of ironic b/c if it had value/demand, you'd think they would. Cont.
LETSystems are the creation of Michael Linton of Courtenay B.C. Canada (originally from u.k.)....i worked with Michael in the early 90s on Vancouver Island and in Manchester U.K. - i wrote the manual for the Danish in Copenhagen, Denmark on LETS based on what Michael taught me. I love what Francis is doing but i hate the fact that he doesn't even mention Michael... and I know that he's probably met Michael given the history he talks about... i'm sorry i ever left this field of work...it's so important but my faith in humanity was destroyed in 94 by a civil war in africa...rip my brothers in arms
Although I haven't yet read the book, I've heard that Riane Eisler's new book "The Real Wealth of Nations" presents a new paradigm based on a CARING economics, and suggests policy that could move us in that direction.
@steviewonder417. The International Energy Agency acknowledged the peak of conventional oil in fall 2010. Pretty much downhill from here -- that is, we've gotten the cheap and easy-to-get oil. They wouldn't be drilling thousands of feet down in the gulf or offshore Brazil or the Alberta tar sands if there were a cheaper way to go.
Everyone should read the future of money by Bernard Lietaer. He should be saying money is ambiguous. He is selling that the main stream monetary system is a good bad issue. He isn't a charismatic speaker but his research is based on the New Deal economists and Silvio Gesell. Saving the ecosystem and lessening the carbon footprint is easier with an ethical monetary system that accounts for commoditiies and a resources impact on the environment.
@peakmoment so what is this about the tenth time weve had a so called peak? do some research on well recovery rates and their relation to abiogenic oil to get a clearewr picture on why peaks come and go and how its related to price fixing.
That´s true, you know. I am argentinian, but i know one or two things about economy and law. The thing is, that the US constitution gives ONLY the power to the Treasury to coin money backed in gold or silver. BUT... as it happens today, it is coined by the FED, which is not a govermental institution, but an asociation of private banks. It is unconstitutional that anybody besides the Treasury to coin money. About IRS, maybe you should watch "America:f. freedom to fascism" from A. Russo.
The most famous US local currency is probably Ithaca Hours. The founder, Paul Glover, along with the hosts of this website, have more ambitious project ideas: a community alternative to Wall Street itself, economicdemocracy dot org /alternatives-to-wallst.html
Interesting. History has shown that gold and silver emerge as the money commodities when government fiat (decree) is out of the picture. But there's no reason that these alternative money systems shouldn't be able to compete with hard money (gold and silver) and fiat money (dollar/euro/yen/etc. debt paper). Google "What Has Government Done To Our Money?" and read the book online or download the mp3s for free.
Have you considered that, perhaps, he didn't want to go into all the irrelevant details about where he grew up as opposed to where he was born and/or where he lives now and/or what nationality either of his parents had, etc.? Assuming malintent or dishonesty tells a lot more about you then about him.
lol, what century are you from? People travel, accents change. He could even have a parent from another country and still be from the UK. I think his accent is actually very British.
I've watched several of her other interviews, Janaia is very well informed and articulate. The only reason this one isn't as good as some of the others is the fellow is HARD to interview. Speaks in very short sentences. Makes claim and closes his mouth. That kind of. Thing. He's a bit too slick/forprofit too. Interviewing him is a tough job.
I'm all for it, but he said current banking is "free market". It is NOT! Good grief! If it was, who would use it? What he's doing is free market. He can't "close down" the international bankers, but they can close him down - because their system is based on force and fraud. Alternative systems are voluntary, hence free. Is it "legal"? Like he said, it depends on how successful it is. Local and state governments need to protect these efforts. A successful currency is revolutionary.
we can change the whole US to this system if we just understand that a dollar is an IOU. the owers name is not on the dollar - it's at the bank on a balance sheet. the bank gives you a bunch of IOU's and charges you interest for borrowing from someone else! you don't think of it as a loan because you can transfer the debt conveniently
This is fascinating. This man presents a point of view that I have come to believe on my own. I hope more people wake up to this perspective.
As founder of Ithaca HOURS local currency, I've written the book "Hometown Money," to explain how to start and manage community cash. Hometown Money: How to Create Community Currency
Paul, I've read about Ithaca Hours for many years, and want to video a conversation with you when we come to Ithaca. You're one of the founders of this whole movement! Let's get in touch...I'll message you thru your website. ~Janaia
peakmoment I'm living in Philadelphia, so would be happy to speak with you here. www.paulglover.org
Jct: As the financier of Michael Linton's first LETS software in Dbase II, I'm always gratified when I hear of people who made use of the freeware to set up their own interest-free anti-poverty lifeboats.
Thank you for this reference: I just learned he was the author of "The Natural Economic Order", who suggests "a medium of exchange that does not gain in value from year to year, but rather loses value progressively, so that anyone who has obtained possession of the medium of exchange has no other interest than to exchange it again as soon as possible for the produce of others."
"So we must make money worse as a commodity if we wish to make it better as a medium of exchange."
@rationalityRules, Francis has been in the US a long time, so his accent may have gotten ....blurred. He described to us a number of local currencies he helped set up, I believe along the western side of the UK. Does where he come from alter his message?
This is so right on and refreshing!
Actually I've been working on a LETS myself for several years and I am always amazed that most people just do not get it. A friend told me that fish do not talk about water, and people do not talk about money for the same reasons.
This is something that everyone needs to be thinking and talking about. While I agree that a LETS is the way to go, I also realize there must be many good solutions out there.
You're absolutely right. I live in B'ham (HQ) and went to a couple of meetings (including today) and this monetary system is extremely flawed. First of all, he is the central manger of all this exchange. He claims that there is transparency, but even by looking at the website, it really is not. Another thing is that all members have to pay a yearly membership fee in 25 USD. You can't use your LDs to pay this. It is kind of ironic b/c if it had value/demand, you'd think they would. Cont.
My book "Hometown Money" explains how we did it in Ithaca, New York. See video "Labor: the New Gold Standard."
LETSystems are the creation of Michael Linton of Courtenay B.C. Canada (originally from u.k.)....i worked with Michael in the early 90s on Vancouver Island and in Manchester U.K. - i wrote the manual for the Danish in Copenhagen, Denmark on LETS based on what Michael taught me. I love what Francis is doing but i hate the fact that he doesn't even mention Michael... and I know that he's probably met Michael given the history he talks about... i'm sorry i ever left this field of work...it's so important but my faith in humanity was destroyed in 94 by a civil war in africa...rip my brothers in arms
is it possible to find some if the info you are mentioning here?
Although I haven't yet read the book, I've heard that Riane Eisler's new book "The Real Wealth of Nations" presents a new paradigm based on a CARING economics, and suggests policy that could move us in that direction.
@steviewonder417. The International Energy Agency acknowledged the peak of conventional oil in fall 2010. Pretty much downhill from here -- that is, we've gotten the cheap and easy-to-get oil. They wouldn't be drilling thousands of feet down in the gulf or offshore Brazil or the Alberta tar sands if there were a cheaper way to go.
Dollar bills are the bars that hold you captive in the debtor prison
I was with you until it was mentioned that it was a business. No reason not to start your own though. Great idea.
I tried to find the article referred to in the video, but I did not manage to find it does anyone can provide me with the link?
+Kuijs You might check on their website at www.fourthcornerexchange.com.
Everyone should read the future of money by Bernard Lietaer. He should be saying money is ambiguous. He is selling that the main stream monetary system is a good bad issue. He isn't a charismatic speaker but his research is based on the New Deal economists and Silvio Gesell. Saving the ecosystem and lessening the carbon footprint is easier with an ethical monetary system that accounts for commoditiies and a resources impact on the environment.
its not free market if the government gives it monopoly power.
still waitin for that peak! oil is abiotic and the industry and those protecting them are just fixing prices!
@peakmoment so what is this about the tenth time weve had a so called peak? do some research on well recovery rates and their relation to abiogenic oil to get a clearewr picture on why peaks come and go and how its related to price fixing.
you should everybody read about Silvio Gesell
That´s true, you know. I am argentinian, but i know one or two things about economy and law. The thing is, that the US constitution gives ONLY the power to the Treasury to coin money backed in gold or silver. BUT... as it happens today, it is coined by the FED, which is not a govermental institution, but an asociation of private banks. It is unconstitutional that anybody besides the Treasury to coin money. About IRS, maybe you should watch "America:f. freedom to fascism" from A. Russo.
The most famous US local currency is probably Ithaca Hours. The founder, Paul Glover, along with the hosts of this website, have more ambitious project ideas: a community alternative to Wall Street itself, economicdemocracy dot org /alternatives-to-wallst.html
Google " Particle Notes Currency "
Interesting. History has shown that gold and silver emerge as the money commodities when government fiat (decree) is out of the picture. But there's no reason that these alternative money systems shouldn't be able to compete with hard money (gold and silver) and fiat money (dollar/euro/yen/etc. debt paper). Google "What Has Government Done To Our Money?" and read the book online or download the mp3s for free.
Have you considered that, perhaps, he didn't want to go into all the irrelevant details about where he grew up as opposed to where he was born and/or where he lives now and/or what nationality either of his parents had, etc.?
Assuming malintent or dishonesty tells a lot more about you then about him.
lol, what century are you from? People travel, accents change. He could even have a parent from another country and still be from the UK. I think his accent is actually very British.
I've watched several of her other interviews, Janaia is
very well informed and articulate. The only reason this one
isn't as good as some of the others is the fellow is HARD
to interview. Speaks in very short sentences. Makes claim
and closes his mouth. That kind of. Thing. He's a bit
too slick/forprofit too. Interviewing him is a tough job.
I'm all for it, but he said current banking is "free market". It is NOT! Good grief! If it was, who would use it? What he's doing is free market. He can't "close down" the international bankers, but they can close him down - because their system is based on force and fraud. Alternative systems are voluntary, hence free.
Is it "legal"? Like he said, it depends on how successful it is. Local and state governments need to protect these efforts. A successful currency is revolutionary.
@philoplatt I meant to say that when you "sell" something for money, you don't think of yourself as a lender because you can transfer the debt easily.
we can change the whole US to this system if we just understand that a dollar is an IOU. the owers name is not on the dollar - it's at the bank on a balance sheet. the bank gives you a bunch of IOU's and charges you interest for borrowing from someone else! you don't think of it as a loan because you can transfer the debt conveniently