Economists concede that
economics is an inexact science. What does that mean? Perhaps it means
their economic forecast is better than yours or mine.
Recently, economic indicators have been rising and people have their
fingers crossed. Economists have given us reason to hope that the job
market will improve and that the stock market will continue on a steady
climb. Yet, the newspapers continue to report more layoffs and more jobs
going overseas.
Meanwhile, our economy is getting more and more complex. We associate
complexity with progress for some ungodly reason. The following
problems, however, have become inherent in our economy. What does that
mean? It means they will be around for a while:
Needless poverty, unemployment, inflation, the threat of depression,
taxes, crimes related to profit (sale of illicit drugs, stolen IDs,
muggings, bribery, con artists, etc.), conflict of interest, endless red
tape, a staggering national debt plus a widening budget deficit, 48 out
of 50 states in debt, cities in debt, counties in debt, skyrocketing
personal debts, 50% of Americans unhappy at their work, saving for
retirement and our children's education, health being a matter of
wealth, competing in the "rat race", the need for insurance, being a
nation of litigation, being subject to the tremors on Wall Street, fear
of downsizing and automation, fear of more Enrons, outsourcing,
bankruptcies, crippling strikes, materialism, corruption, welfare,
social security, sacrificing quality and safety in our products for the
sake of profit, the social problem of the "haves" vs. the "havenots" and
the inevitable family quarrels over money.
Have we become gluttons for
punishment? My college professor once said, "You can get used to hanging
if you live long enough!"
We Americans love our freedom; yet, we have allowed the use of money to
completely dominate our way of life. Indeed, we are no longer a free
people. We are 7.4 trillion dollars in debt. We live in fear of
depression, inflation, inadequate medical coverage and losing our jobs.
Our freedom is at stake if not our very survival. Yet, we put our
collective heads in the sand.
Yes, there is something we
can do. We can look into ourselves for an answer. We may find that we
have the strength to carry out our internal economic affairs without the
need to use money. Yes, we will still need to use money when dealing
with other countries.
There is no question that a way of life without money will alleviate if
not completely eliminate all of the previously mentioned problems. Yet,
we scoff at the idea. We are totally convinced that money is a
necessity. We cannot imagine life without money. Perhaps the time has
come to think otherwise. It is completely obvious our present economy no
longer satisfies our present day needs.
As individuals, we will gain complete economic freedom. In return, a way
of life without money demands only that we, as individuals, do the work
we love to do. It is a win/win situation. Let us consider the following
arguments:
Can we learn to distribute our goods and services according to need (on
an ongoing basis) rather than by the ability to pay? Why not? Poverty
and materialism will be eliminated! Our sense of value will change.
Wealth will no longer be a status symbol. A man will be judged by what
he is; not by what he has. He will be judged by his achievements,
leadership, ideas, artistic endeavours or athletic prowess; not by the
size of his wallet.
Yes, everything will be free
according to need. All the necessities and common luxuries will be
available on a help yourself basis at the local store. Surely, this
country is capable of supplying the necessities and common luxuries for
everyone in this country many times over.
The more "expensive" items, such as housing, cars, boats, etc. would be
provided for on a priority basis. For example, the homeless would
provided housing ahead of those living in crowded quarters. How will
this priority be established? Perhaps a local board elected by the
people in the neighborhood such as a school board. Or perhaps the school
boards could absorb this responsibility in addition to their present
duties.
Since cooperation will replace competition, can government, industry and
the people learn to work together as a team to meet the economic needs
of our nation as well as each individual? Again, why not? Yes,
competition is great; but cooperation is even better. Cooperation avoids
duplication of effort. Wouldn’t it be more efficient to have everybody
freely working together, sharing ideas, thoughts and technical
knowledge? Patents and industrial secrets would be a thing of the past.
Competition, however, will still be around. Individuals will still
compete with their co-workers in ideas, achievements, leadership and
getting promotions.
For example, Ford, Chrysler & GM would work together to build
automobiles that are truly safe and efficient and environmentally
friendly. Perhaps, with everyone working together, we can invent a car
engine that would eliminate the need to import oil from the Middle East.
(Note: Ford, Chrysler & GM would gradually become one entity.)
Unfortunately, what immediately jumps into the minds of most people is:
"It simply won’t work!" The idea of a way of life without money is then
dismissed without further thought. After all, what motivation is there
for people to work if there is no paycheck? How can we possibly satisfy
the labor needs of our nation? The following reasons are offered why
people would be completely happy working in a way of life without money:
Today, only 50% of
Americans enjoy their work. That will change. In a way of life
without money, we will all be free to do the work we want to do or
even love to do without any economic fear. We will be free to pursue
our passion or as Joseph Campbell suggests we "follow our bliss".
Cooperation will replace
wasteful competition. We will all work together as a team. Work will
become a way to help people, to meet people or to be part of
something meaningful. It is a proven fact that people like to help
one another. An esprit de corps will naturally build up and make
work more enjoyable. Even the most menial task becomes easier when
people work together. Yes, work will become more of a "togetherness"
thing.
The profit motive will no
longer be a hindrance to efficiency. There will be no need to
sacrifice quality and safety in our products for the sake of profit.
We will, like in the olden days, take pride in our work.
Yes, there is very likely to
be a shortage of people volunteering to do the more menial tasks. One
option is to offer "perks". A perk can be of various forms such as front
row season tickets to the opera or to his or her favorite sports team.
Can you imagine an NBA basketball game where the celebrities are sitting
in the back rows while the dishwashers and janitors are at courtside?
(My apologies to Spike Lee & Jack Nicholson!) Or the perk could be the
latest model boat or sports car which would not be immediately available
to the public. Another option is to draft everyone once in their
lifetime, to do a half year or so stint at a menial task. Perhaps a
humbling experience is in order for all of us. It might serve us well in
the area of character building.
Also, consider the fact that perhaps millions of people will be freed
from jobs associated with the use of money. Millions more that are now
unemployed or on welfare will also be available to help fill the labor
needs of our country. Thus, we will have the work force necessary to do
the work which is not economically feasible in our present economy such
as cleaning our environment (land, sea & air), conservation, recycling,
humanitarian work, research in medicine, education, science & space and
now we can include national security.
Perhaps the most difficult problem is in the administration of a way of
life without money. Can we learn to determine our economic needs,
allocate our resources from the federal on down to the neighborhood
levels? Perhaps some sort of economic bodies must be created to
coordinate, monitor and carryout our economic needs. These economic
bodies would exist similar to our governments, one for the federal, one
for each state and one for each local level.
Yes, in order to administrate a way of life without money, economic
bodies, boards or councils or whatever you wish to call them would be
created to absorb economic responsibility from our various governments.
They will interact and cooperate with one another to meet the economic
needs of our country and of each individual. They will be empowered by
Congress to tend to the economic needs of its constituents. Thus, a
balance of power will be safely maintained.
Our federal needs, which would be similar to the federal budget we have
today, will be resolved by an economic body comprised of representatives
of the various branches of government, our industrial & labor resources,
research (in medicine, education, science & space), our environment,
conservation, importing & exporting, and now, national security and
whatever facet of our way of life should be represented. This economic
body will arrange for the labor and material resources necessary to meet
the economic needs of our nation.
Similarly, the same will occur at the state and local levels. The
economic body at the local levels will be responsible for providing
services to the people in the neighborhood. If the labor needs cannot be
met with volunteer workers, "perks" must be offered. Also, the economic
body at the local levels will be responsible for keeping the stores
stocked with food, clothing and the common luxuries which will be
available free. Thus, the economic needs of the nation right on down to
the neighborhood levels would be determined and satisfied by these
economic bodies.
How much economic responsibility will these new bodies absorb from our
federal, state and local governments? How much will be shared? Can a
balance of power be maintained? At any rate, our federal, state and
local governments will be relieved of considerable amount of economic
responsibility. Thus, our various governments will be free to catch up
on all the other domestic and foreign issues that face us.
Yes, we will still import and export goods with foreign countries as our
needs dictate; but what money will be used in place of the almighty
dollar? Would the dollar have any value if everything is free in the
USA? Would that be a problem? We would, however, still be able to use
the currency of the country we are doing business with. For example, if
we export goods to Germany, we would accept marks or euros in payment.
The euros would then be deposited in our national treasury for future
use. The money could then be used to import goods or perhaps send
Americans overseas on vacation.
Yes, a way of life without money could be compared to the kibbutz which
now exist in Israel. Can you picture the USA as one big kibbutz?
However, ownership of property will remain the same as it is today. Our
government will remain the same. Our free enterprise system will remain
in place as it is today. There will be no need for money or any
substitute for money since everything will be free.
The advantages of a way of life without money stagger the imagination;
but they are real and cannot be disputed. Perhaps it is time for us to
grab the brass ring.
The
Human Race has improved everything except the Human Race. – Adlai
Stevenson
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