The Bible says that money is the root of all evil. Still, without money you can’t buy food, you can’t pay your bills; you can’t get medical or dental care. Then there is gas for the car, or bus or cab fare, paying the baby sitter, buying clothes and washing them. It’s pretty obvious that there is very little one can do, in today’s society, without money. Sure, you could move into the wilds, hunt wild animals and gather greens and wild grains for food; you could even learn to build a cabin and start fires by rubbing two sticks together; but could you, really? And if you could, would such a life be fulfilling? Well, maybe.
I don’t know about you, but I was raised in a middle class American home, with hot and cold running water, central heating, indoor plumbing, not to mention a bed with a soft mattress, a stereo, and a TV. Nevertheless, if the economy crashes world wide, or we get hit by a rogue asteroid, or by a super electro-magnetic storm from the increasing sun spot activity, or Yellowstone’s mega volcano erupts, then having the ability to live like a survivalist might just come in handy, and money will be the least of our troubles. Still, if we deal with the problem now, it may just assist us in weathering any storm or calamity life can send our way.
The problem with money lies in our economic system. Being that our economy is based upon the availability of precious metals and gems, the struggle to control the Earths energy resources is backed by those who have an abundance of these commodities and the political power that comes from their possession. This type of setup invariably leads to the control of the few, over the needs of the many. This condition generates the consciousness that there will never be enough. The truth is, there are enough resources on this planet to insure that everyone has enough of what they need to survive and enjoy life, as long as those resources are distributed adequately.
So how can we do away with money? I mean everyone deserves an honest wage for honest work?
Credit for ones creativity and productivity need not be based upon a medium of exchange, such as rare metals and gems, or upon the availability of fossil fuel. Individuals could receive credit for creative and productive activities based upon their efforts alone. I suppose that it could be called the barter system, but it is more than that. When an individual does a job or creates something, they would decide what that job or creation is worth in the way of credit. If they place too high a value on their effort, they would probably not acquire many takers, unless their talent is rare or extraordinary. Those who do decide that this individual’s talent or capabilities are worth the price will then trade their own earned credits, as a medium of exchange to obtain whatever that individual produces or is able to deliver in the way of services. Credits would be be based solely on one’s capacity to produce desired goods or services.
I know, it sounds like money, but it isn’t. It is simply credit for ones efforts, one’s productivity. It is not based on substances that are cashed somewhere in a vault, or upon a product, such as oil, that many need, but is hoarded by a few to maintain power over the many. It is truly an honest wage for honest work. Credits would then be based solely upon an individuals personal assessment of the value of their productivity; or in the case of an individual with limited understanding, upon what society agrees is a personally sustainable amount.
An individual could save up his credits to purchase goods and services with them, just as society now saves money, but credits would be based solely upon what one can do or create and the only way an individual can transfer their credits is through a fair exchange for goods and services. No one would be able to inherit credits from others through entitlement or by succession or will. An individuals credits would belong solely to them.
All children would be given a substantial amount of credits by right, simply for being born. This amount would be decided upon by popular vote, and based upon what is needed to sustain a child until he or she becomes personally productive. Children would also earn credits for going to school and for demonstrating good citizenship.
Those who are unable to produce, either because of a physical or a mental disability would always be taken care of. Many would be taken care of until they have been trained to provide a service that they are capable of offering or have developed skills that deserve personal credit. Even those who are incapable of developing skills would taken care of because the availability of credit would not based upon materials that are difficult to acquire, but rather upon care, consideration and even love for one’s fellow human beings.
Without the possibility for personal gain through the accruing of funds without individual productivity, either by inheritance or theft, society would change radically. There would be no more power barons, or idle rich. There would be no lost youth roaming the streets, seeking opportunities though which to take advantage of others for the purposes of survival, personal gain or power.
This could be accomplished tomorrow. All that would be required is that the government pays off all of its debts to other countries with its stockpile of gold, gems and other precious metals and materials. Then we could shift to the credit system without harming other countries. The government could then replace all monies in all bank accounts with double the amount of credit. For those without a bank account, the government could give every individual who turns in cash, twice the value of that cash in credit. Each credit would equal one dollar, there would be no cents. All accounts would be rounded off to the nearest dollar.
At this point it would be very helpful if the government would put a freeze on price hikes in all businesses and services for one year to allow our economy to recover. All disability claims would still be honored in the amount of twice the previous monetary value of those claims. Food stamps would still be issued to those who are presently impoverished, at double the amount. Health care would still be provided to the impoverished, and to the country’s veterans, in the same way it was provided before, except all such services would be based in credit offered by the government until the credit shift is completed.
This would generate an economic boon for everyone in this country. Suddenly, everyone would be able to afford what they need, and companies and service providers would be able to produce more, employ more people and the entire country could finally get back to work, and that work would not only provide credit for goods and services, but also provide a rebirth of hope for the entire country.
Of course, foreign trade would probably be hampered for a time until other countries were willing to trade goods and services for goods and services. Who knows though, maybe the entire world would come to its senses, and our whole planet might one day be free of the wealthy and powerful controlling the masses by withholding necessary resources. It’s a thought.
