[CLUE-Talk] Re: A Call to Action

[mazi farhang]

By the sound of some of the things I am reading on this group, I think that
there is plenty of growing going on already!  ;-)

I know from what I've read in this group that, aside from being mere
enthusiasts, a lot of you make your living in the information technology
arena, and you are probably quite good at what you do.  You are probably
also used to questioning the status quo and opting for better solutions,
despite all odds (isn't that what Linux is all about).

However, I think that there have been many experiments in shunning the
present economic system and coming up with one that has some perceived
advantage over it. Unfortunately, these experiments have mostly been flawed.
What is the point is setting up a separate monetary system, when we already
have the most coveted system in the world at our disposal?  Why would we
want to deprive ourselves from a liquid market for our currency?  This new
currency wouldn't just sprout up out of nowhere; it would have to have some
type of backing.  Who will be backing this money?  If we have to commit $$
to be able to support LETS, why not just use $$?

So you want to keep some money in the local region?  I would suggest that
you first work on a buy-local campaign.  This would in itself increase the
circulation of money within our own area.  If people really end up buying
local, then you will have achieved your aims.  The problem is that most
people are not willing to give up on choice in order to support
inefficiencies.  If it costs me a bit more to buy local, then I may be
willing to pay the price, but if my costs increase by 30% so that I could
support the local industry, then I will have to have resolved myself to
competing only within the local area (with others who also have a 30%
increase in their costs).  That may be OK for many of us as individuals, but
I doubt if it would have much support in the corporate arena, or for anyone
who is competing on a regional or national scale.

As for doing your own gardening - by all means.  It is good for the mind and
for the soul.  You may save yourself a little money, but you shouldn't count
on it.  If you start looking at raising your own livestock, then you are
talking a totally different game.  For specialists such as yourselves, it is
really amazing to see you promoting a vision where everyone is growing their
own food as an economically sound idea.  I sincerely hope that your time is
worth more than that! :-)

All the best,

Mazi Farhang
TopoWeb.