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The following link takes you to an essay titled: "Home of the Brave?" which I wrote and appeared in the Athenaeum Library of Philosophy: http://evans-experientialism.freewebspace.com/steinsvold.htm
John Steinsvold

Home of the Brave?

by John Steinsvold

A thought-provoking "utopian" article, entitled "Home of the Brave?" which appeared in the American Daily which was published in Phoenix, Arizona on March 14, 2006.

Economists concede that economics is an inexact science. What does that mean? Perhaps it means their economic forecast is better than yours or mine. Recently, economic indicators have been rising and people have their fingers crossed. Economists have given us reason to hope that the job market will improve and that the stock market will continue on a steady climb. Yet, the newspapers continue to report more layoffs and more jobs going overseas.

Meanwhile, our economy is getting more and more complex. We associate complexity with progress for some ungodly reason. The following problems, however, have become inherent in our economy. What does that mean? It means they will be around for a while:

Needless poverty, unemployment, inflation, the threat of depression, taxes, crimes related to profit (sale of illicit drugs, stolen IDs, muggings, bribery, con artists, etc.), conflict of interest, endless red tape, a staggering national debt plus a widening budget deficit, 48 out of 50 states in debt, cities in debt, counties in debt, skyrocketing personal debts, 50% of Americans unhappy at their work, saving for retirement and our children's education, health being a matter of wealth, competing in the "rat race", the need for insurance, being a nation of litigation, being subject to the tremors on Wall Street, fear of downsizing and automation, fear of more Enrons, outsourcing, bankruptcies, crippling strikes, materialism, corruption, welfare, social security, sacrificing quality and safety in our products for the sake of profit, the social problem of the "haves" vs. the "havenots" and the inevitable family quarrels over money.
Have we become gluttons for punishment? My college professor once said, "You can get used to hanging if you live long enough!"

We Americans love our freedom; yet, we have allowed the use of money to completely dominate our way of life. Indeed, we are no longer a free people. We are 7.4 trillion dollars in debt. We live in fear of depression, inflation, inadequate medical coverage and losing our jobs. Our freedom is at stake if not our very survival. Yet, we put our collective heads in the sand.

Yes, there is something we can do. We can look into ourselves for an answer. We may find that we have the strength to carry out our internal economic affairs without the need to use money. Yes, we will still need to use money when dealing with other countries.

There is no question that a way of life without money will alleviate if not completely eliminate all of the previously mentioned problems. Yet, we scoff at the idea. We are totally convinced that money is a necessity. We cannot imagine life without money. Perhaps the time has come to think otherwise. It is completely obvious our present economy no longer satisfies our present day needs.

As individuals, we will gain complete economic freedom. In return, a way of life without money demands only that we, as individuals, do the work we love to do. It is a win/win situation. Let us consider the following arguments:

Can we learn to distribute our goods and services according to need (on an ongoing basis) rather than by the ability to pay? Why not? Poverty and materialism will be eliminated! Our sense of value will change. Wealth will no longer be a status symbol. A man will be judged by what he is; not by what he has. He will be judged by his achievements, leadership, ideas, artistic endeavours or athletic prowess; not by the size of his wallet.

Yes, everything will be free according to need. All the necessities and common luxuries will be available on a help yourself basis at the local store. Surely, this country is capable of supplying the necessities and common luxuries for everyone in this country many times over.

The more "expensive" items, such as housing, cars, boats, etc. would be provided for on a priority basis. For example, the homeless would be given housing ahead of those living in crowded quarters. How will this priority be established? Perhaps a local board elected by the people in the neighborhood such as a school board. Or perhaps the school boards could absorb this responsibility in addition to their present duties.

Since cooperation will replace competition, can government, industry and the people learn to work together as a team to meet the economic needs of our nation as well as each individual? Again, why not? Yes, competition is great; but cooperation is even better. Cooperation avoids duplication of effort. Wouldn't it be more efficient to have everybody freely working together, sharing ideas, thoughts and technical knowledge? Patents and industrial secrets would be a thing of the past. Competition, however, will still be around. Individuals will still compete with their co-workers in ideas, achievements, leadership and getting promotions.

For example, Ford, Chrysler & GM would work together to build automobiles that are truly safe and efficient and environmentally friendly. Perhaps, with everyone working together, we can invent a car engine that would eliminate the need to import oil from the Middle East. (Note: Ford, Chrysler & GM would gradually become one entity.)

Unfortunately, what immediately jumps into the minds of most people is: "It simply won't work!" The idea of a way of life without money is then dismissed without further thought. After all, what motivation is there for people to work if there is no paycheck? How can we possibly satisfy the labor needs of our nation? The following reasons are offered why people would be completely happy working in a way of life without money:

Today, only 50% of Americans enjoy their work. That will change. In a way of life without money, we will all be free to do the work we want to do or even love to do without any economic fear. We will be free to pursue our passion or as Joseph Campbell suggests we "follow our bliss".

Cooperation will replace wasteful competition. We will all work together as a team. Work will become a way to help people, to meet people or to be part of something meaningful. It is a proven fact that people like to help one another. An esprit de corps will naturally build up and make work more enjoyable. Even the most menial task becomes easier when people work together. Yes, work will become more of a "togetherness" thing.

The profit motive will no longer be a hindrance to efficiency. There will be no need to sacrifice quality and safety in our products for the sake of profit. We will, like in the olden days, take pride in our work.

Yes, there is very likely to be a shortage of people volunteering to do the more menial tasks. One option is to offer "perks". A perk can be of various forms such as front row season tickets to the opera or to his or her favorite sports team. Can you imagine an NBA basketball game where the celebrities are sitting in the back rows while the dishwashers and janitors are at courtside? (My apologies to Spike Lee & Jack Nicholson!) Or the perk could be the latest model boat or sports car which would not be immediately available to the public. Another option is to draft everyone once in their lifetime, to do a half year or so stint at a menial task. Perhaps a humbling experience is in order for all of us. It might serve us well in the area of character building.

Also, consider the fact that perhaps millions of people will be freed from jobs associated with the use of money. Millions more that are now unemployed or on welfare will also be available to help fill the labor needs of our country. Thus, we will have the work force necessary to do the work which is not economically feasible in our present economy such as cleaning our environment (land, sea & air), conservation, recycling, humanitarian work, research in medicine, education, science & space and now we can include national security.

Perhaps the most difficult problem is in the administration of a way of life without money. Can we learn to determine our economic needs, allocate our resources from the federal on down to the neighborhood levels? Perhaps some sort of economic bodies must be created to coordinate, monitor and carryout our economic needs. These economic bodies would exist similar to our governments, one for the federal, one for each state and one for each local level.

Yes, in order to administrate a way of life without money, economic bodies, boards or councils or whatever you wish to call them would be created to absorb economic responsibility from our various governments. They will interact and cooperate with one another to meet the economic needs of our country and of each individual. They will be empowered by Congress to tend to the economic needs of its constituents. Thus, a balance of power will be safely maintained.

Our federal needs, which would be similar to the federal budget we have today, will be resolved by an economic body comprised of representatives of the various branches of government, our industrial & labor resources, research (in medicine, education, science & space), our environment, conservation, importing & exporting, and now, national security and whatever facet of our way of life should be represented. This economic body will arrange for the labor and material resources necessary to meet the economic needs of our nation.

Similarly, the same will occur at the state and local levels. The economic body at the local levels will be responsible for providing services to the people in the neighborhood. If the labor needs cannot be met with volunteer workers, "perks" must be offered. Also, the economic body at the local levels will be responsible for keeping the stores stocked with food, clothing and the common luxuries which will be available free. Thus, the economic needs of the nation right on down to the neighborhood levels would be determined and satisfied by these economic bodies.

How much economic responsibility will these new bodies absorb from our federal, state and local governments? How much will be shared? Can a balance of power be maintained? At any rate, our federal, state and local governments will be relieved of considerable amount of economic responsibility. Thus, our various governments will be free to catch up on all the other domestic and foreign issues that face us.

Yes, we will still import and export goods with foreign countries as our needs dictate; but what money will be used in place of the almighty dollar? Would the dollar have any value if everything is free in the USA? Would that be a problem? We would, however, still be able to use the currency of the country we are doing business with. For example, if we export goods to Germany, we would accept marks or euros in payment. The euros would then be deposited in our national treasury for future use. The money could then be used to import goods or perhaps send Americans overseas on vacation.

Yes, a way of life without money could be compared to the kibbutz which now exist in Israel. Can you picture the USA as one big kibbutz? However, ownership of property will remain the same as it is today. Our government will remain the same. Our free enterprise system will remain in place as it is today. There will be no need for money or any substitute for money since everything will be free.

The advantages of a way of life without money stagger the imagination; but they are real and cannot be disputed. Perhaps it is time for us to grab the brass ring?

"The Human Race has improved everything except the Human Race.“

Adlai Stevenson

Me and my wife began as experimental musicians in 1999, only homemade releases in small editions, but later on some labels got interested in our music and so far we also have several pressed LPs and CDs available.

Since 2006/7 there was a change, we began to work out performances, also started painting and object art.

In 2008 the artlout: Magazine Leipzig recommended our art in their issue 04:08, also Testcard made a special on us, and now we are in contact with M. Büsser of testcard magazine, the next issue will also have a review on our music and art.

We performed at locations like Mary Bauermeisters Atelier, the wife of Karlheinz Stockhausens wife, where Nam June Paik and John Cage or Christo and Robert Rauschenberg have performed before. next concert is at Colour out of space, Brighton, one of the biggest experimental music festivals in the world.

A lot of magazines focussed on our music, some Heavy Metal Band just contacted us, for there is a short review at DECIBEL Magazine on us at their article the wages of din. We did not read it, but curious to be mentioned at a metal magazine, for we make DADA music. Up to now we performed with lots of musicians, Prof. Jan van den Dobbelsteen, Eugene Chadbourne, John Wiese (member of Sunn O), who just made a split LP with Gossip (USA). We worked together with artists like Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, who wrote the track Schwarze POLIZEI FOR US, split release at USA, also with artists like Eric Lunde or Klaus Girnus (Psychepumpe principle at art, Schloss Moyland).

We word in various fields of the art, now have several films at GIGUK Festival Gießen, what is a honour to us, for we just started making short films.

I like the work of Peter Meseck, it is great collages and assemblages, so maybe we can work together, possibly we are not of interest, but one can try.

My question to you is, is one able to join NO ART as members?

We are not members at any artists council, other artists at north of Germany work mostly not that weird as we, do not accept us at their councils.

www.asylum-lunaticum.de

Hello: I have three No Art installation sculpture which my friend bought a few years ago in Paris and recently gave to me for my birthday. Each measures approximately 30 x 21 inches and is signed "No Art". Could you please help me in identifying the creator of these curious pieces? Are they at all familiar to you?
Thank you in advance for your kind regards. - T.R. Riggins

Please read this slowly and carefully, as it may be one of the most important emails you ever get.

I am Mrs. Ethel Coy from Greece . I was married to Late Mike Coy. The Director of Vikhroli Link.Ltd, a seasoned contractor in West African Region. He died on Monday, 31 July 2003 in Paris. We were married for seven years without a child. After his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home. When my late husband was alive, he has over the sum of $5.2 Million USD in banks and security companies in Europe, which is yet unclaimed. My Doctor told me that I would not last long due to cancer problem that befalled me.

Having known my condition I decided to donate this funds to better the lives of the less privileged. I need honest and trust worthy individual that will utilize this money in accordance with my instruction.  I want the funds to be used in funding religious  organizations,orphanages and less privileged propagating the word of God. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are very unkind to me and I don't want my husbands hard earned money to be misused. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am   going to be in the bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the lord will fight my course and I shall hold my peace.

As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank,and my attorney also with a copy of the WILL. For legitimacy, he will also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the original-beneficiary of this fund. I want you to always pray for me, any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for another individual for this same purpose.

If you are not interested, kindly pardon me by contacting me with my private
Email:ethelcoyppt@yahoo.com.hk

Thanks,
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Ethel Coy.
Email:ethelcoyppt@yahoo.com.hk

Recession, depression, foreclosures, unemployment, credit crunch, 401(k) drops, insurance company failures, auto manufacturer bailouts...

Our economy is in trouble.

The American dollar, which is as much a symbol as it is a form of currency, has never faced such an uncertain future. In both perception and value the dollar is changing.

As Wall Street and Washington stuggle to restore the dollar to its previous lofty heights and as Main Street cringes at the latest economic news perhaps it is time to look at the dollar from an artistic perspective. Perhaps it is time to redesign, revalue and re-evaluate this symbol of America's economic might.

This project is aimed at getting a different vision of the dollar, its current plight and the new reality we all must face as a result. This project is about art and the solutions that can be found through and in artistic expression.

After all, Wall Street, Washington and especially Main Street seem to need our help.

Get more information about art exhibition for troubled economy

Warnography / arbel ratzin
War is raging, bombs are falling, people are dead and we sit in front of the glowing TV screen masturbating to it. — We know it's wrong but we still enjoy it. — Since the second war in Iraq, we are used to seeing everything. Reporters from all over the globe joined troops on the ground, fighting to “save democracy” and kick Sadam's ass. Everyone, all over the world, felt erected when the phallic statue of Iraq's formal ruler was put down. On that day, the free world's cock was bigger and stronger than Sadam's, the leader that who, more than any other crazed ruler, looked most like a porn star from the 70's. — We all drooled over those S&M pictures from Abu Ghraib. — We all came to a climax when Sadam was hanged. — But after we cum, the porn's got nothing more to give us. We never cared about the plot. And so, the public became bored by the Iraq's warnography. — Now, there are bombs on Gaza, killing hundreds of innocent people. Missiles on Israel, and people are afraid. The world is reaching its' fingers down the panties getting horny by the reporters standing by the border or duck for cover when the siren goes off. — They even have a VOD channel in Israel where you can see how Gaza is being bombed from the comfort of your couch. And we do. We watch. — Sitting there waiting, anxious, with stupid grins on our faces, looking for that “money shot” - the white flag, a dead body, ruines of cities, of people. And after we're finished, we clean ourselves up and go back to our normal lives, happy and calm, knowing we are better than “them”. — They say that when guns roar the muses are silent, but the “SpongePop” artists won't be quiet. — Especially in times of war, we, as artists, have to show the real face of war. — Instead of putting our finger up our asses , we will grab war by the balls, make art with it, make fun of its' absurdity and wickedness and say to all warmongers: "Go fuck yourself!”

My hope is that change is coming.  I was in Berlin screening Captured the movie.  On new year's eve a well respected theater called VOLKSBUEHNE had a banner hanging across the top of the landmark building.  The message that could be read from blocks away— FUCK OFF AMERIKA.  Here is a photo on which you see this friendly invite to the New Year.

Good Day. I am Yoke Hui Director of www.minescruise.com Resort Malaysia. Amusing this medium to introduce you to this Proposal that will be of utmost beneficial to both of us. Presently, I went for a seminar in the United Kingdom that will last for about 3 weeks.
I receive a call this morning from my assistant manager that an Italian guest Mr.Carlo in my hotel was involved in a air crash on 08/08/2009 between Euro copter AS 350 and a Piper PA-32 plan owned by LCA Partnerships of Fort Washington.
http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/travel-resources/travel-news/general-travel/helicopter-and-plane-crash-in-new-york/a-3-143-1832/
I have known this tourist for 6 year who left to United State last week. To my greatest surprise all his belonging is left in my hotel because he promise to come back on 22nd of this month. It was a sad news that he died on the crash. In his hotel room we recover 19.3 million United State dollars that was in a box as i inform my assistant manager to search the room.
The choice of contacting you aroused from the geographical nature of where you live, particularly due to the sensitivity of the transaction. Can i trust you and deposit this money into your account until i come back. I do not want to disclose this to the government because I know it will be confiscated and might be sent to government coffers if they notice it. This is a great opportunity. I cannot transfer the money to the my company account presently.
If you accept to do this deal with me, this will be disbursed or shared in these percentages, 60% to me and 30% to you and 10% for any expenses we incurred during the process of transferring this money to your account. In case if you do not want the money to be transferred to an account, we can make an arrangement to move it with a diplomat who can deliver it to your place.
You can reach me with this number since am out of the state. +4470318xxxxx or you can call my assistant manager on +601727xxxxx. For security reason DO NOT CALL MY OFFICE NUMBER regarding this deal and DO NOT reply me to my company email for security reason because my secretary might read the mail, and I don't want any one to be aware of this except YOU and I. My Assistant manager is less aware of the deal so do not disclose more of my secret with you to him until we get the money moved out.
Thanks as you co-operate with me. Feel free to reach me on mails. I want the money to be transferred latest my Tuesday next week to your account then when i come back we can share the percentage.
Please if you do not accept this offer,do not disclose it to any one.
Thanks
Yours Sincerely Hui Yoke