How we're being ROBBED & what we can do about it.

[gurusid]

Hi Evan,

Interesting. You might also like Joseph Tainter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddmQhIiVM48

Why will taxes always rise? Why is there never enough money for social programs?

One of the big things that occurred in the 1970s when debt really took off was per capita energy use reached a peak in 1977. Also the removal of the US dollar from the gold standard in 1971 has created a truly ‘fiat” currency. Further as the limits to capital(ism) and over production became apparent coupled with the oil crisis, debt and borrowing were seen as ways to continue the myth of eternal economic growth. Its aim was to continue the industrial and technological development. It sounds hard to believe but people genuinely thought that taking out huge loans for such things as infrastructure development (building roads and highways) would work. They had seen how a similar approach, called the Marshal plan had worked in Europe after the WWII. They just did not figure out how compound interest works and the nefarious forces that sought to enslave whole countries to gain access to their resources. Al Bartlett gives a good talk on how the exponential function works:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-QA2rkpBSY

As for local currencies, such as LETS (Local Exchange and Trading Systems) why not give them a go? Just don’t expect to be able to pay your taxes in them, as Derrick Jenson points out, the men with guns will come looking for you. :dry:

There’s plenty on this site to dig into if you haven’t already, have fun enlightening yourself. :cheer:

L,
Sid.

[Author]

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