Friday January 9, 2009, 11:34 am
We should do small local currencies in all countries and get off of the centralized banking. This is an answer to restoring our local economies. We should make money, food supplies and energylocal ! This will help end mulitnational corporate tyranny, military industrial complexes going to war over resources, and food shortages. We will still do lots of trading, but we should not have the major functions entire counties being outsourced.

http://www.berkshares.org/whatareberkshares.htm

What are BerkShares?

BerkShares are a local currency for the Berkshire region. Dubbed a "great economic experiment" by the New York Times, BerkShares are a tool for community empowerment, enabling merchants and consumers to plant the seeds for an alternative economic future for their communities. Launched in the fall of 2006, BerkShares had a robust initiation, with over one million BerkShares having been circulated in the first nine months and over two million to date. Currently, more than three hundred and fifty businesses have signed up to accept the currency. Five different banks have partnered with BerkShares, with a total of twelve branch offices now serving as exchange stations. For BerkShares, this is only the beginning. Future plans could involve BerkShare checking accounts, electronic transfer of funds, ATM machines, and even a loan program to facilitate the creation of new, local businesses manufacturing more of the goods that are used locally.

Friday January 9, 2009, 12:26 pm
Noted with thanks Laurel.

Friday January 9, 2009, 1:35 pm
Yes , we must keep uniting at the local level ( We Are). It is working. Turning our dollar green(sustainable) again is the only way to re-start(re-think) OUR economy. I wish we could change the word economy, I AM soooo tired of hearing it, lol. Thx for your insight and posting Laural.

p.S.- I beleive we have some local currency here in portland, OR. Think globally , buy locally for the change and results that WE desire.

Friday January 9, 2009, 1:35 pm
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Friday January 9, 2009, 1:49 pm
Thanks Serge! This currency is just cool. I love seeing the "common people" making it happen. So great.

Friday January 9, 2009, 4:38 pm
I really hope this idea works for them and takes off around the world. Thank you Laurie.

Saturday January 10, 2009, 4:22 am
what a great way to get people active and take more pride in their own communities, I hope this works, ty Laurel

Saturday January 10, 2009, 5:29 am
very cool laurel, and i believe a good idea! thanks for sharing with us!hugs

Sunday January 11, 2009, 3:14 pm
What is so great about this idea is the 10% discount for buying locally. Visit their site and read up on it...
http://www.berkshares.org/whatareberkshares.htm
And they have pictures of a local hero on the Berkshare. It doesn't get much better than that! The Bershare is fantastic.