Blueberipie by bbpie: January 2009

1. The Shipwrecked Survivors

An explosion blew their ship apart. Five survivors remained huddled on a raft which the waves carried along at their will. As for the other victims of the disaster, there was no sign of them.

Hour after long hour their eyes searched the horizon. Would a passing ship see them? Would their make-shift raft find its way to some friendly shore?

Suddenly a cry rang out: “Land! Look, over there, in the direction the waves are carrying us!”

And, as the vague silhouette proved to be the outline of a shore, the figures on the raft danced with joy.

They were five. Frank, the carpenter, was big and energetic. It was he who had first cried, “Land!”

Then there was Paul, a farmer. You can see him front and left in the picture on his knees, one hand against the floor, the other gripping the mast of the raft.

Next was Jim, an animal breeder. He's the one in the striped pants, kneeling and gazing in the direction of land.

Then there is Harry, an agriculturist who was a little on the stout side, seated on a trunk salvaged from the wreck.

And finally there was Tom the prospector and a mineralogist. He is the merry fellow standing in the rear of the picture with his hand on the carpenter's shoulder.

2. A Providential Island

Setting foot on land was like returning to life from the grave for the five men.

After they dried and warmed themselves, their first impulse was to explore this little island that they had been cast on to, far from civilization.

A quick survey raised their spirit. The island was not a barren rock. Despite being the only men on it at the moment, judging from the herds of semi-domesticated animals they saw, there had been men here at some time before them.

Jim, the animal breeder, was sure he could completely domesticate the animals and put them to good use.

Paul found the island's soil, for the most part, quite suitable for cultivation.

Harry discovered fruit trees which would give good harvests if properly tended.

Most important were the large forests with a range of wood type. Frank, without too much difficulty, would be able to build houses for the little community.

As for Tom, the prospector, the island showed signs of rich mineral deposits. Despite lacking the tools, Tom still felt his ingenuity and initiative could produce metals from the ores.

Each could serve the common good with his special talent. And all agreed to call the place Salvation Island, giving thanks to Providence for a reasonably happy ending to what could have been stark tragedy.

3. True Wealth

Here are the men at work.

The carpenter built houses and made furniture. At first, they found food where they could. But soon the fields were tilled and seeded, and the farmer had crops.

As season followed season, this Salvation Island, this heritage of the five men became richer.

Its wealth was not of gold or paper bank notes, but of true value - a wealth of food, clothing, shelter and all the things to meet human needs.

Each man worked his own trade. Whatever surpluses he might have, he exchanged for the excess products of the others.

Life wasn't always as smooth and complete as they could have wished it to be. They lacked things they had been accustomed to in civilization. Yet, it could have been far worse. All five had experienced the depression in Canada. They still remembered empty bellies despite stores being crammed with food.

However, at least on Salvation Island, they weren't forced to watch food rot before their eyes. And taxes were unknown here. Nor did they constantly fear the bailiff. They worked hard but could enjoy the fruits of their labour.

So they developed the island, still in possession of life and health (those two greatest of blessings), thanking God and hoping for the day of reunion with their families.

4. A Serious Inconvenience

Our men often got together to talk over affairs.

Under the simple economic system which developed, one thing was beginning to bother them more and more: they had no form of money.

Barter, the direct exchange of goods for goods, had its drawbacks. The products exchanged were not always at hand when a trade was discussed. For example, wood delivered to the farmer in winter could not be paid for in potatoes until six months later. Sometimes one of the men would have a large item that he wished to exchange for a number of smaller articles produced by different men, at different times.

All this complicated business and was taxing to their memory. However, with a monetary system, each one could sell his products to the others for exact amounts of money and buy from the others things he wanted when he wished, and when they were available.

It was agreed that a money system would be convenient, but none knew how to set up one. They knew how to produce true wealth - goods - but producing money (a symbol of this wealth) was quite beyond them.

They had no idea how money originated, and how to produce it. (Certainly, many educated men have been in the same boat - all our governments experienced the same predicament during the ten years prior to the war. The only thing the country lacked at that time was money, and governments apparently didn't know how to get it.)

5. A Refugee Arrives

One evening, when our boys were sitting on the beach going over their problem for the hundredth time, they saw a small boat approaching with a solitary man at the oars.

He was the only survivor of a wreck, named Oliver.

Delighted to have a new companion, they provided him with the best that they had and they took him on an tour of the colony.

“Even though we're lost and cut off from the rest of the world,” they told him, “we can't complain too much. The earth and forest are good to us. We lack only one thing. Money. It would make exchanging our products much easier for us.”

“Well, you can thank Providence,” replied Oliver, “because I am a banker and, in no time at all, I'll set up a money system guaranteed to satisfy you. Then you'll have everything people in civilization have.”

A banker! A BANKER! An angel come down from the clouds couldn't have inspired more reverence and respect in our men. For after all, are we not accustomed, we civilized people, to genuflect before bankers and those men who control the lifeblood of finance?

6. Civilisation's God

“Mr Oliver, as our banker, your only occupation on this island will be to look after our money; no manual labour for you.”
“I shall, like every other banker, carry out to complete satisfaction my task of forging the community's prosperity.”

“Mr. Oliver, we will build you a house in keeping with your dignity as a banker. But meanwhile, do you mind if we lodge you in the building that we use for our get-togethers?”

“That will suit me, my friends. But first of all, unload the boat. There's paper and a printing press, complete with ink and type, and a little barrel which I advise you to treat with the greatest care.”

They unloaded everything. The small barrel aroused intense curiosity in our good fellows.

“This barrel,” Oliver said, “contains a treasure beyond dreams. It is full of... gold!”

Full of gold! The five all but swooned. The god of civilization here on Salvation Island! The yellow god, always hidden yet terrible in its power, whose presence, absence or slightest caprice could decide the fate of all civilized nations!

“Gold! Mr Oliver, you are indeed a great banker! Oh honorable Oliver! Great high priest of the god, Gold! Accept our humble homage, and receive our oaths of fidelity!”
“Yes, my friends, gold enough for a continent. But gold is not for circulation. Gold must be hidden. Gold is the soul of healthy money, and the soul is always invisible. But I'll explain all that when you receive your first supply of money.”
7. The Secret Burial

Before they went their separate ways for the night, Oliver asked them one last question: “How much money will you need to begin with in order to facilitate trading?”

They looked at one another, then deferentially towards the banker. After a bit of calculation, and with the advice of the kindly financier, they decided that $200 each would do fine.

The men parted, exchanging enthusiastic comments. And, in spite of the late hour, they spent most of the night lying awake, their imaginations excited by the picture of gold. It was morning before they slept.

As for Oliver, he wasted not a moment. Fatigue was forgotten in the interests of his future as a banker. By dawn's first light, he dug a pit into which he rolled the barrel. He then filled it in, transplanting a small shrub to the spot about which he carefully arranged sod. It was well hidden.

Then he went to work with his little press to turn out a thousand $1 bills. Watching the clean new banknotes come from his press, the refugee turned banker thought to himself: “My! How simple it is to make money. All its value comes from the products it will buy.

Without produce, these bills are worthless. My five naive customers don't realize that.

They actually think that this new money derives its value from gold!

Their ignorance makes me their master.”

And as evening drew on, the five ran to Oliver.

8. Who Owns the Money

Five bundles of new banknotes were sitting on the table.

“Before distributing the money,” said the banker, “I would like your attention.

The basis of all money is gold. And the gold stored away in the vault of my bank is mine. Consequently, the money is also my money. Oh! Don't look so discouraged. I'm going to lend you this money, and you're going to use it as you see fit.

However, you'll have to pay interest.

Considering that money is scarce here, I don't think 8% is unreasonable.”

“Oh, that's quite reasonable, Mr Oliver.”

“One last point, my friends. Business is business, even between pals. Before you get the money, each of you is going to sign a paper. It you will bind you to pay both interest and capital under penalty of confiscation of property by me. A mere formality - your property is of no interest to me. I'm satisfied with money. And I feel sure that I'll get my money, and that you'll keep your property.”

“That makes sense, Mr Oliver. We're going to work harder than ever in order to pay you back.”

“That's the spirit. And any time you have a problem, you come to see me. Your banker is your best friend. Now, here's two hundred dollars for each one of you.”

And our five brave fellows went away, their hands full of dollar bills, their heads swimming with the ecstasy of having money.

9. A Problem in Arithmetic

And so Oliver's money went into circulation on the island.

Trade, simplified by money, doubled. Everybody was happy.

The banker was always greeted with unfailing respect and gratitude.

But now, let's see... Why does Tom, the prospector, look so grave as he sits busily figuring with a pencil and paper?

Tom, like the others, signed the agreement to repay Oliver in one year's time $200, plus $16 interest. But as the date of payment drew near, Tom had only a few dollars in his pocket.

For a long time he had wrestled with this problem from his own point of view, without success. Finally, he viewed it from the perspective of the little community as a whole. “Taking into consideration everyone on the island,” he mused, “are we capable of meeting our obligations?

Oliver turned out a total of $1000. He's asking for $1080 in return. But even if we bring him every dollar bill on the island, we'll still be $80 short. Nobody made the extra $80. We turn out produce, not dollar bills. So Oliver can take over the entire island, since all the inhabitants together can't pay him back the total amount of the capital and interest.

Even if a few (without any thought for the others) were able to, the others would fail. And the turn of the first spared would come eventually. The banker will take everything. We'd better hold a meeting right away and decide what to do about it.”

Tom, with his figures in his hand, had no difficulty in explaining the situation. All agreed that they had been duped by the kindly banker.

They decided upon a meeting at Oliver's.

10. The Benevolent Banker

Oliver guessed what was on their minds, but he put on his best front. While he listened, the impetuous Frank stated the case for the group.

“How can we pay you $1080 when there is only $1000 on the entire island?”
“That's the interest, my friends. Has not your rate of production increased?”

“Sure, but the money hasn't. And it's money you're asking for, not our products. You are the only one who can make money. You've made only $1000, and yet you ask $1080. An impossible task!”

“Now listen, fellows. Bankers, for the greater good of the community, always adapt themselves to the conditions of the times. I'm going to require only the interest. Only $80. You will go on holding the capital.”

“Bless you, Mr Oliver! Are you going to cancel the $200 each of us owes you?”

“Oh no! I'm sorry, a banker never cancels a debt. You still owe me the money you borrowed. But you'll pay me, each year, only the interest. If you meet the interest payments faithfully each year, I won't push you for the capital.

Maybe some won't be able to repay even the interest because of the money changing hands among you. Well, organize yourselves like a nation. Set up a system of money contributions, what we call taxes.

Those who have more money will be taxed more; the poor will pay less. See to it that you bring me, in one lump sum, the total of the amount of interest, and I'll be satisfied. And your little nation will thrive.”

So our boys left, pacified, but still dubious.

11. Oliver Exalts

Oliver is alone. He is in deep reflection.

His thoughts run thus: Business is good. These boys are good workers, but stupid. Their ignorance and naivety is my strength. They ask for money, and I give them the chains of bondage. They give me flowers, and I pick their pockets.

True enough, they could mutiny and throw me into the sea. But pshaw! I have their signatures. They're honest. They'll honor their pledges.

Honest, hardworking people were put into this world to serve the Financiers.

Oh great Mammon! I feel your banking genius coursing through my entire being! Oh, illustrious master! How right you were when you said: "Give me control of a nation's money, and I won't mind who makes its laws." I am the master of Salvation Island because I control its money.

My soul is drunk with enthusiasm and ambition - I could rule the universe.

What I, Oliver, have done here, I can do throughout the entire world. Oh! If only I could get off this island, I know how I could govern the world without wearing a crown.

My supreme delight would be to instill my philosophy in the minds of those who lead society: bankers, industrialists, politicians, reformers, teachers, journalists - all would be my servants.

The masses are content to live in slavery when the elite among them are overseers.

12. The Cost of Living Unbearable

Things went from bad to worse on Salvation Island. Production was up, although bartering dropped to a minimum.

Oliver collected his interest regularly. The others had to think of setting money aside for him. Thus, money tended to clot instead of circulating freely.

Those who paid the most in taxes complained against those who paid less. They raised the prices of their goods to compensate for this loss.

The unfortunate poor who paid no taxes lamented the high cost of living, and bought less.

If one took a salaried job with another, he was continually demanding increases in salary in order to meet the mounting cost of living.

Morale was low.

The joy went out of living.

No one took an interest in his work. Why should he? Produce sold poorly. When they would make a sale, they had to pay taxes to Oliver. They went without things. It was a real crisis. And they accused one another of wanting in charity, and of being the cause of the high cost of living.

One day, Harry, sitting in his orchard, pondered over the situation.

He finally arrived at the conclusion that this “progress”, born of a refugee's monetary system, had spoiled everything on the island. Unquestionably, all five had their faults, but Oliver's system seemed to have been specifically designed to bring out the worst in human nature.

Harry decided to demonstrate this to his friends and to unite them for action.

He started with Jim, who was not hard to convince. “I'm no genius,” he said, “but for a long time now there's been a bad smell about this banker's system.”

One by one they came to the same conclusion, and they ended up by deciding to have another conference with Oliver.

13. Enslaved by Oliver

A veritable tempest burst about the ears of the banker.

“Money's scarce on the island, fellow, because you take it away from us! We pay you and pay you, and still we owe you as much as at the beginning. We work our heads off! We've the finest land possible, and yet we're worse off than before the day of your arrival. Debts! Debts! Up to our necks in debts!”
“Oh! Now boys, be reasonable! Your affairs are booming, and it's thanks to me. A good banking system is a country's best asset. But if it is to work beneficially, you must have faith in the banker. Come to me as you would to a father... Is it more money that you want? Very well. My barrel of gold is good for many thousands of dollars more. See, I'm going to mortgage your latest acquisitions, and lend you another thousand dollars right now.”

“So! Now our debt goes up to $2000! We are going to have twice as much interest to pay for the rest of our lives!”

“Well, yes — but I'll lend you more whenever the value of your property increases. And you'll never pay anything but the interest. You'll lump all your debts into one — what we call a consolidated debt. And you can add to the debt, year after year.”

“And raise the taxes, year after year?”

“Obviously. But your revenues also increase every year.”

“So then, the more the country develops each year because of our labor, the more the public debt increases!”

“Why, of course! Just as in your country – or in any other part of the civilized world for that matter. The degree of a country's civilization is always gauged by the size of its debt to the bankers.”
14. The Wolf Devours the Lamb

“And that's a healthy monetary system, Mr. Oliver?”
“Gentlemen, all sound money is based on gold, and it comes from the banks in the form of debts. The national debt is a good thing. It keeps men from becoming too satisfied. It subjugates governments to the supreme and ultimate wisdom, that which is incarnate in bankers. As a banker, I am the torch of civilization here on your little island. I will dictate your politics and regulate your standard of living.”

“Mr. Oliver, we're simply uneducated folks, but we don't want that kind of civilization here. We'll not borrow another cent off of you. Sound money or not, we don't want any further transactions with you.”

“Gentlemen, I deeply regret this very ill-advised decision of yours. But if you break with me, remember, I have your signatures. Repay me everything at once — capital and interest.”

“But that's impossible, sir. Even if we give you all the money on the island, we still won't be square with you.”

“I can't help that. Did you or did you not sign? Yes? Very well."

“By virtue of the sanctity of contracts, I hereby seize your mortgaged property which was what you agreed to at the time you were so happy to have my help. If you don't want to serve willingly the supreme authority of money, then you'll obey by force. You'll continue to exploit the island, but in my interests and under my conditions. Now, get out! You'll get your orders from me tomorrow.”
15. Control of the Press

Oliver knew that whoever controlled the nation's money, controlled the nation.

But he knew also that to maintain that control, it was necessary to keep the people in a state of ignorance, and to distract them by a variety of means.

Oliver had observed that of the five islanders, two were conservatives and three were liberals. That much had evolved from their evening conversations, especially after they had fallen into slavery. And between the conservatives and those who were liberals, there was a constant friction.

On occasions, Harry, the most neutral of the five, considering that all had the same needs and aspirations, had suggested the union of the people to put pressure on the authorities. Such a union, Oliver could not tolerate; it would mean the end of his rule. No dictator, financial or otherwise, could stand before a people united and educated.

Consequently, Oliver set himself to foment, as much as possible, political strife between them.

The refugee put his press to work, turning out two weekly newspapers, “The Sun”, for the Liberals, and “The Star”, for the Conservatives.

The general tenor of “The Sun” was: “If you are no longer master, it is because of those traitorous Conservatives who have sold out to big business.”

That of “The Star”: “The ruinous state of business and the national debt can be traced directly to the political responsibility of those unmentionable Liberals.”

16. A Priceless Bit of Flotsam

One day, Tom, the prospector, found on a small beach, hidden by tall grass at one end of the island, a lifeboat, empty except for a trunk in good condition lying in the bottom of it.

He opened the trunk. Among the articles within, a sort of album caught his eye: “The First Year of Social Credit”.

Curious, Tom sat down and began to read the volume. His interest grew; his face lit up.

“Well, just look at this!” he cried out loud. “This is something we should have known a long time ago.”

“Money gets its value, not from gold, but from the products which that money buys."

“Simply put, money should be a sort of accountancy, credits passing from one account to another according to purchases and sales. The sum total of money will depend upon the sum total of production."

“Each time production increases, there is a corresponding increase in the amount of money. Never at any time should interest be paid on new money. Progress is marked, not by an increase in the public debt, but by the issuance of an equal dividend to each individual... Prices are adjusted to the general purchasing power by a coefficient of prices. Social Credit...”

But Tom could no longer contain himself. He got up and set off at a run, the book in his hands, to share this glorious discovery with his four comrades.

17. Money - Elementary Accounting

So Tom became the teacher. He taught the others what he had learned from that God-sent Social Credit publication.

“This,” he said, “is what we can do without waiting for a banker and his keg of gold, nor without underwriting a debt."

“I open an account in the name of each one of you. In the right hand column are the credits which increase your account; to the left are the debits which subtract from your account."

“Each wants $200 to begin with. Very well. We write $200 to the credit of each. Each immediately has $200."

“Frank buys some goods from Paul for $10. I deduct $10 from Frank, leaving him $190. I add $10 to Paul, and he now has $210."

“Jim buys from Paul to the amount of $8. I deduct from Jim $8, leaving him $192. Paul now has $218."

“Paul buys wood from Frank for $15. I deduct $15 from Paul, leaving $203. I add $15 to Frank's account, and it goes back to $205."

“And so we continue; from one account to another, in the same fashion that paper banknotes go from one man's pocket to another's."

“If someone needs money to expand production, we issue him the necessary amount of new credit. Once he has sold his products, he repays the sum to the credit fund. The same with public works; paid for by new credits."

“Likewise, each one's account is periodically increased, but without taking credits from anyone, in order that all may benefit from the progress society makes. That's the national dividend. In this fashion, money becomes an instrument of service.”

18. The Banker Despair

Everyone understood.

All of the members of this little island community became Social Crediters.

The following day, Oliver, the banker, received a letter signed by the five:

“Dear sir! Without the slightest necessity you have plunged us into debt and exploited us.
We don't need you anymore to run our money system.

From now on, we'll have all the money we need without gold, debts, nor thieves.

We are establishing, at once, the system of Social Credit on the island. The national dividend is going to replace the national debt.

If you insist on being repaid, we can repay you all the money you gave us.

But not a cent more.

You cannot lay claim to that which you have not made.”

Oliver was in despair. His empire was crumbling. His dreams shattered.

What could he do?

Arguments would be futile. The five were now Social Creditors: money and credit were now not more mysterious to them than they were to Oliver.

“Oh!” said Oliver. “These men have been won to Social Credit! Their doctrine will spread far more quickly than mine. Should I beg forgiveness? Become one of them? I, a financier and a banker? Never! Rather, I shall try and put as much distance between them and me as I can!”

19. The Fraud Unmasked

To protect themselves against any future claim by Oliver, our five men decided to make him sign a document attesting that he again possessed all he had when he first arrived on the island.

An inventory was taken; the boat, the oars, the little press, and the famous barrel of gold.

Oliver had to reveal where he had hidden the gold. Our boys hoisted it from the hole with considerably less respect than the day they had unloaded it from the boat. Social Credit had taught them to despise gold.

The prospector, who was helping to lift the barrel, found it surprisingly heavy for gold. If the barrel was full, he told the others, there was something in it besides gold.

The impetuous Frank didn't waste a moment; a blow of the axe, and the contents of the barrel was exposed.

Gold? Not so much as a grain of it! Just rocks — plain, worthless rocks! Our men couldn't get over the shock.

“Don't tell us that he could bamboozle us to this extent!”

“Were we such muttonheads as to go into raptures over the mere mention of gold?”

“Did we mortgage all of our possessions for a few pieces of paper based on a few pounds of rocks? It's a robbery, compounded with lies!”

“To think that we sulked and almost hated one another all because of such a fraud! That devil!”

Furious, Frank raised his axe while, in great haste, the banker takes sudden flight towards the near-by forest.

20. Farewell to Salvation Island

After the opening of the barrel, and the revelation of his duplicity, nothing further was heard of Oliver.

Shortly after, a ship, cruising off the normal navigation route, noticed signs of life on this uncharted island, and decides to cast anchor a short distance offshore.

The men on the island learned that the ship was en route to America. So they decided to take with them what they could carry, and return to the United States.

Above all, they made sure to take back with them the album, “The First Year of Social Credit”, which had proven to be their salvation from the hands of the financier, Oliver, and which had illumined their minds with an inextinguishable light.

All five solemnly promised to get in touch with the management of this paper, once back in America, and to become devoted and zealous apostles of the Cause of Social Credit in their country.

Originally written by Louis Even and entitled "The Money Myth Exposed"

Pages

Monday, January 19, 2009

Growing Pains

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Moving On

The Money Myth Exposed

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Just what the doc ordered, have a laugh!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Wedding Project