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"A nation whose currency is controlled by its legislators is like a town built in the vicinity of a volcano. Its inhabitants never know at what period they may be enveloped in ruin."
Arthur Kitson
Francis, being a contract computer programmer, has temporarily relocated to Mariposa which is reflected in contact info address. TradeMarket is alive and well and, thanks to the internet, currently managed from Mariposa.
TradeWinds newsletter #10! You can download it from the TradeWinds tab to the right.
Articles:
Of Immediate Service
Money, the fruit of the barter tree
Why a cup of coffee?
View the video of an interview between Jackie Mason and TradeMarket at www.nevadacountytv.org. Click link 'Online video guide' and then 'Most recent programs' or 'Voices of Democracy' and look for Jackie with a pink blouse.
TradeMarket traveled to Sebastapol to attend a wonderful evening gathering with people from Sonoma county's local currency initiative and lecture from the country's top expert, Thomas Greco, in the field. We received strong encouragement to bring back to you.
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| Q: What assurance is there that TradeMarket is honest and trading with Trades is safe? |
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Submitted by:
Margaret Campbell
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A: The answer to this question is two-pointed:
One: The fundamental health of a monetary system depends on its issue policy. If the currency is issued by traders in direct proportion to the products and services they offer the marketplace then you have the highest possible health and stability. TradeMarket adheres to this issue policy.
Two: A community currency is voluntary. You do not have to participate if something doesn't seem right to you. There's no force on you to use it and no investment other than the issuer's fee ($35) to cover administration costs and even that is not necessary to participate. Use Trades only if you find it advantageous to do so.
This policy makes the monetary system self-policing. If the system is healthy and useful then participation will be active and you will hear talk of it. If the system is unhealthy participation will fall off. |
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Peeking through the cracks
Down goes Indy Mac while Freddie Mac and Fanny May are splitting at the seams and the current administration rushes around trying to keep the mirage afloat.
The history of public monetary systems can not be anything but a tale of chaotic compensatory maneuvering, like the wizard of oz behind the curtain.
Letting government control our economy by allowing it to control the monetary system
is similar to letting the water department control what, where and how much liquid
we consume daily. Just try to think for a few minutes what organization a water department would require to attempt this and you will better understand government, political parties, the banking system and the Federal Reserve.
The answer is private monetary systems--community currencies. Mark these words!
Francis Cahill
Of Immediate Service
Having Trade Community Currency in you pocket is an immediate benefit. As of this writing, you can purchase 43 products and services from 23 different vendors and the list is growing. The money these vendors receive must then re-circulate right here in our community for Trades can not leave. This is a profoundly enriching and self-sustaining style of economy that is available to the entire community right now.
Before spending your Trades their value will not be easily assessed, but as you benefit from your purchases your estimation of the Trade's value will rise quite naturally—you will have confirmed their usefulness. At the same time, the amount of Trades in your possession will diminish which, following the natural law of money, will provide you increased incentive to bid for more by offering your own products and services on the marketplace. We are human; we need incentive to act. This incentive of placing your products and services on the market is bound to stimulate you to improve and refine you skills which translates into further positive community service. Community currency provides incentive for inter-community trade. We get to know and value each other and serve each other better. We become each other’s customers. This is very wise economics regardless of whether national economics are healthy or not.
Looking at this phenomena of local trade over time, we see a new stream in the flow of consumption and production enter our lives—a stream that wasn’t there before and would not be possible without employing a community currency. Trade community currency increases its participant’s wealth right now, not theoretically but in actuality.
The perception that community currency is a difficult concept to be avoided unless the dollar collapses is a mis-perception. If we start right now we increase our wealth right now. The Trade immediately supplements our dollar supply. If the dollar remains healthy, we are all the more winners. If the dollar continues to inflate, we are in an excellent position to alleviate the suffering economic shock causes by simply increasing our participation in the ‘home’ market—home economics at its best.
What's been trading....
- I am very grateful for my Trade currency! With it, I was able to hire,Gene Mesek, who did a wonderful job creating ten foot high wooden bookshelves for my home. Gene was pleasant to work with, and is a gifted carpenter. I am thrilled that my books are so beautifully housed now and organized. Penelope Sullivan
- I visited Nolita Matuska for a myofascial release massage and left feeling like an athlete. She was able to release deeply hidden tension in a very gentle and nurturing way. I felt amazingly warm and loose after the session and since then I’ve experienced profound physical and psychological relaxation. Highly recommended! 50 Trades
- You can buy an excellent, strong, slightly smokey green leaf tea at The Apothecary at the New York Hotel in Nevada City: 3 Trades
- I just went over for one of Jenny d’Heurle’s incredible trigger-point deep tissue Swedish massages. Afterward, I felt completely one with nature, as if there were no limits between my body and the beautiful nature that surrounds us. She’s a master!: 25 Trades
- I had a very pleasent experience taking my dog, Juniper, to Pine Creek Veterinary Clinic to see Ron Rozner. We were both treated very well, Juniper with a check-up and a shot(very gently administered) and me with an stimulating conversation about how useful the idea of community currency is for our community - Ron says "it's a no-brainer".
- Cost for a checkup and a 4-in-one shot for a dog: 24 Trades
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Trade currency comes in four denominations: 1/2, 1, 5 and 20.
A special bond paper is used that has embedded fibers
to give it the duribility required for circulation.
What is TradeMarket
- A new local market inviting those to join who have a product or a service to sell and an interest in purchasing products & services from fellow community members.
- A community wealth generator encouraging the pursuit of occupations that produce exchangeable wealth.
- A circular trading system where each purchase encourages an increase in the quantity and variety of local products & services and that increase, in turn, provokes further local sales as the seller re-supplies.
- A pure and powerful form of private enterprise.
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"We deserve to own what we labor to create."
John Locke
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TradeWinds is our very popular newsletter.
All issues can be downloaded from the TradeWinds tab.
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