Economy

Shift Change Trailer from ShiftChange.org Article on the town of Mondragon's co-op.Ultimately, it is best for entrepreneurial individuals not to be tied into a system like this. On the other hand, this may be a good model for "ministry" within the network and among the unnumbered.

6 min video about a tomato company that apparently has no bosses/bureaucracy/politics.No details of how this works on a practical level. It just seems like a good thing to add to the archives for future reference. Perhaps a PCM or future COR in California can take a field trip.

18 min TED Talk about how backward the traditional approach of Western nations has been to helping developing countries.

Real Money

What is money?

'Why Gold' by Gary North

Free PDF Book:

In 1980 F. Tupper Saussy wrote a book called "Miracle on Main Street" where he advocated returning to a precious metal economy. His forward vision and some of his predictions have come true. Here is a website with the book in PDF: 'Miracle on Main Street'

Resources

Books

Articles

Forbes article on the success of the Indo-American community in Edison, NJ financing each other's businesses.

Blogs

Gary North

Videos

The Case for Collaborative Consumption

Life Is Easy by Jon Jandi - 15 min

Agile Hardware Design Video

The Problem

The Secret of Oz - Winner, Best Documentary of 2010 (2 Hours)

The Money Masters - Full-Length (3hrs 19m)

Banking

Achievable Possibilities

The Public Bank Solution, by Ellen Brown [1] Brand new book on public banking, which she strongly advocates.

Description: WHAT WALL STREET DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW. Shock waves from one Wall Street scandal after another have completely disillusioned us with our banking system; yet we cannot do without banks. Nearly all money today is simply bank credit. Economies run on it, and it is created when banks make loans. The main flaw in the current model is that private profiteers have acquired control of the credit spigots. They can cut off the flow, direct it to their cronies, and manipulate it for personal gain at the expense of the producing economy. The benefits of bank credit can be maintained while eliminating these flaws, through a system of banks operated as public utilities, serving the public interest and returning their profits to the public. This book looks at the public bank alternative, and shows with examples from around the world and through history that it works admirably well, providing the key to sustained high performance for the economy and well-being for the people.

Recommended Reading

The Babylonian Woe, By David Astle][2]Subtitle: a Study of the Origin of Certain Banking Practices and of Their Effect on the Events of Ancient History Written in the Light of the Present Day.

Description: David Astle researched the very beginnings of money and how the money creators became all-powerful since Babylonian times. Explains money and banking systems from 5,000BC to the present, and how money lenders/creators have come to hold unlimited power. Published in 1975.

Very scholarly, OUTSTANDING book on the history of banking. Not recommended to everyone as it is a very hard read, but has some fascinating insights on ancient history that would blow most peoples minds. More insights that some of the other popular books going back this far in history. - Gary Kinghorn

Usury in Christendom, by Michael Hoffman [3] Traces the gradual decay of the Western Christian prohibition on usury and the rise of the Money Power and numerous resulting destructive practices in today's society.

The Quality Life Plan®:7 Steps to Uncommon Financial Security, by Susan Boskey [4][5] This 84-page workbook covers the real reason why more and more families need credit just to make ends meet and does so in easy-to-understand language. The author provides practical strategies, tactics and templates to help you create a life of greater financial and personal well-being midst the challenges of today’s economic landscape. Published in 2007.

The World of Debt

Web of Debt by Ellen Brown [6] The Shocking Truth About Our Money System and How We Can Break Free.

Description: Our money system is not what we have been led to believe. The creation of money has been "privatized," or taken over by private money lenders. Thomas Jefferson called them “bold and bankrupt adventurers just pretending to have money.” Except for coins, all of our money is now created as loans advanced by private banking institutions — including the privately-owned Federal Reserve. Banks create the principal but not the interest to service their loans. To find the interest, new loans must continually be taken out, expanding the money supply, inflating prices — and robbing you of the value of your money.

A big fan of Ellen Brown who has written some one of the best books on the subject. - Gary Kinghorn