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 be
given 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
|
Copyright © 2007 John Steinsvold. Permission granted to distribute in
any medium, commercial or non-commercial, provided author attribution
and copyright notices remain intact.
|
|