It takes only a modicum of vision to see that the age-old problems inherent with the present system of economics is beyond the ability of politics, organized religion, or intellect to remedy, because they are all symptoms of a malady of spirit, brought on by the conditioned imagination that we are each a separate identity, that supply is limited, and we must compete to get our share or more of what is available. Restoration to a consciousness of trust in wholeness will begin with recognition that we are each an interdependent yet equal member of the one body of humanity, and in that context goods and services are unlimited. These are some first steps toward empowerment of the human spirit, away from the prevalent notion that money and possessions are the primary measures of a person’s worth. Acceptance of these truths will set healing currents free, prompting us to honor and respect all others, demonstrate our willingness to let spirit take control, and return our minds to their rightful function as heart directed tools for the use of our inherent Intelligence. Doing so will open the way for peace and freedom to emerge in ways not yet imagined.

A transitional model of a social system that could bridge the gap between now and then would require a simple shift from thinking of money as the measure of a person’s worth, to recognition that real value lies in simply being a member of the human family. That gives every person the right to adequate food, water, shelter, education and health needs from birth until death. Computer analysis shows this to be feasible at less cost than the present expenditure on military and policing adventures, and our present electronic networks could be quickly adapted to handle the logistics.

In this system, each person at birth would be issued an electronically sensitive card carrying information similar to that on present birth certificates, plus a purchasing number that would ensure entitlement to the basics mentioned above. Purchasing power for a higher living standard could be readily accrued by providing agreed upon goods or services for others. Parenting, child-care, and other forms of public service would be prime ways of accumulating more. The purchasing number on the card would always show total purchasing power, which would never be diminished by use, because it would represent the total value of all that its owner had provided for others in addition to the original basic number. All cards would be continually updated, and new cards issued to replace those lost. The number on each card would only be of value to its owner, thus eliminating incentive for thievery. Present banking networks could readily be adapted to handle all record keeping and adjustment of purchasing power.

Legal implementation of some such system will be accomplished by general agreement when there is sufficient demand from people who catch the vision of how a consciousness of giving points the way to peace and freedom, supplanting the ages-old struggle to get. Governance would best be handled on a local or regional basis, while a central control body of elected representatives from the regions could administer worldwide commerce, health, education, and other matters relevant to the whole. Purchasing points for any volunteer or elected administrative work would be allocated on the same supply and demand value schedule as for everything else. There would be no way or incentive to 'corner the market' in any area. The benefits would be as numerous as the inadequacies of the present systems.

In this model, every move would be by consensus among volunteer or elected groupings. After establishing an agreed upon control center a declaration would be issued that money would be valueless after a certain date, with ample time for it to be converted into purchasing points. Whatever money a person turned in would yield points on a sliding scale favoring those who had little. A cap number could ensure sustainability and be a deterrent to extravagance.

With agreed upon service to others being the only way of earning more points, the individual view of useful work will change from feelings of compulsion to the joy of choice in giving, with points earned according to supply and demand. Incentive for doing unpleasant types of work would be a high enough number of points per hour to entice participation. Child-care and emergency services would be adequately rewarded, making it likely that a house mother or rescue worker would be at the top level of purchasing power.

All land would be owned in common, with parcels allotted as stewardships, which could be held and passed down for as long as they were adequately cared for. All natural resources and raw material would likewise be owned in common, and allocated on a stewardship basis for agreed upon purposes.

This pattern would encourage innovative conservation and recycling methods in the use of Earth’s resources. It would motivate all kinds of wholesome creativity, while eliminating monetary incentive toward every form of violence such as child and drug abuse, prostitution, gambling, aggressive behavior, bullying, imposed governance, and all other forms of criminal behavior, such as war, taxation and usury.

I can conceive of no human problem that is beyond the scope of this model to be addressed creatively, and I will gladly discuss it with any of you who are open to it. I see this or something similar as being the framework of a social structure that must emerge to ensure an environment of creative freedom for all people. It all hinges on a general acceptance of the truth of unity in oneness. I welcome whatever input any of you care to offer. Discussing it with others, and sending it out by any means, is a way of preparing the ground for it or something better to emerge. A core thought to remember is: We are all one family, in the same boat together.

Candid response is sincerely invited. Paul Le Baron, Denman Island, B.C., plebaron@telus.net

**Note: This quote was inspired by the flight of Sputnik on October 4, 1957

The principal need," insists the Saturday Review editor, "is to tap our intelligence and moral imagination to the fullest in creating a working design for a better tomorrow in which all the world’s people can share. …A great idea looking towards the development of a world community will circle the globe more rapidly than the fastest satellite. It will give us access to the majority of the world’s people on whom security really depends. It will also help to make life bearable on this planet before we take off for other ones."