Title: Americans Are Printing Their Own Money Source:
YouTube URL Source:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghs_Ag8P6Lw&NR=1 Published:Apr 22, 2009 Author:conciousgood Post Date:2010-10-29 05:08:36 by GreyLmist Keywords:Alternative Currencies Views:2006 Comments:16
The small town of Ithaca, NY decided that the best way to keep money in the community was to start printing their own (legal) currency. "It's a community spirit - an idea that we're all working to help support each other as a local community solidarity."
Alternative currency is a term that refers to any currency used as an alternative to the dominant national or multinational currency systems (usually referred to as national or fiat money). Alternative currencies can be created by an individual, corporation, or organization, they can be created by national, state, or local governments, or they can arise naturally as people begin to use a certain commodity as a currency. Mutual credit is a form of alternative currency, and thus any form of lending that does not go through the banking system can be considered a form of alternative currency.
When used in combination with or when designed to work in combination with national or multinational fiat currencies they can be referred to as complementary currency. Most complementary currencies are also local currencies and are limited to a certain region.
Barters are another type of alternative currency. These are actually exchange systems, which only trade items; thus without the use of any currency whatsoever. Finally, LETS is a special form of barter which trades points for items. One point stands for one man-hour of work. (cont.)
Communities should be able to trade in alternate currencies with other communities if their communities agree to do that -- kind of like using traveler's checks.
Regional currency seems to be working well in Europe, except for the depreciation rate imposed that could inhibit savings for expensive purchases; and, to try to avoid that loss of value, buying stocks as a way to save might result in even more lost value:
Sponsor: http://HomelandStupidity.US - Unlike Washington's unbacked currency this one is labor-backed. It's not as local as Ithaca Hour, not dollar- denominated either. It's called the "Anarcho Jesse Labor Note" and is backed by the labor of one man. I bought 10!