Letter to the Editor - Thursday June 14, 2012

A human invention

Let us all not forget that money is merely a human invention. It does not grow on trees or occur in nature. Energy systems are the natural equivalent. Money was created to facilitate trade among human beings. It was supposed to serve society, not enslave it.

We should be designing a fair and just society, then designing economic systems to meet society's needs. We have somehow got the cart before the horse.

Isn't it about time we started treating economics as a fallible human invention, not some divine law? It needs to be reformed and adjusted to stay abreast of an evolving society. To adjust society to the point of possible extinction of the species to facilitate making money is not only immoral but insane.

Is it heresy to question our present monetary system, and even replace it if need be? Contrary to what we've been told, there are alternatives.

Just one example I saw recently was a documentary on TV about Greece (which is in dire financial mess) and a town there whose population is euro-poor but productive and rich in community culture.

They are using the tem, a local currency that runs parallel to the euro and which allows everyone to trade, regardless of their wealth in terms of the mainstream currency.

Everyone was smiling and seemed very happy with the results.

JACQUELINE PAYNE

RD2 Kaitaia