HOME OF THE BRAVE?
JOHN STEINSVOLD
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The 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
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