Two neighborhoods in Milwaukee are considering printing their own currency.

[Are_grits_groceries]

Two neighborhoods in Milwaukee are considering printing their own currency, which could be bought with U.S. dollars, but would be only accepted at local businesses, in order to encourage people to shop at home instead of Walmart.

It's not a new concept — the Chicago Tribune says that lots of towns and neighborhoods relied on their own local currency during the Great Depression. It's also perfectly legal.

So what's the advantage for shoppers? Well, the currency could offer incentives — trading $100 US for $110 in the local currency would give shoppers a 10% bonus, for example.
http://consumerist.com/5102038/neighborhoods-propose-printing-their-own-currency-to-encourage-local-shopping

This could get interesting......

[Recursion]

1. Lots of places have this already

It's a great idea, and it works pretty well everywhere I've seen it.

[Taverner]

2. Hmmmm this could be the beginning of the unraveling

I mean, the Soviet Union went kablooey after Afghanistan

We might go kablooey after Iraq

Republic of California anyone?

[lurky]

5. Republic of California?

But wouldn't that give you President Arnold? :scared:

[Taverner]

9. Hey, I'll take President Arnold over President Bush

But my guess is by then we'll have President Newsom

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[phantom power]

6. Yeah, I have mixed emotions about the growth of these local currencies.

I worry about where it all may end up. I suppose that is indulging in a slippery slope argument. But still.

[The_Commonist]

3. I love this idea.

It might actually be one of the ways to weather the coming economic storm.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_currency
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Exchange_Trading_Systems

[oldtime dfl_er]

4. Like Ithaca Dollars

if that program still exists...very cool.

[LeftyMom]

7. Someplace around here has done that for years.

Nevada City I think. Somewhere up that direction.

[earth mom]

8. I wouldn't be surprised if this happened, but it won't work for long because of counterfeiting.

Read what it was like in Argentina during their economic crisis:

http://www.silverbearcafe.com/private/10.08/tshtf1.html

[Warpy]

12. He's got a few good ideas

and the LCD head lamp is one of them. I have one and use it at night to provide really great task lighting for knitting, spinning and repairing the computer. Mine will go 150 hours on a couple of AA batteries and the estimate of bulb lifetime is "forever."

His reliance on a gun for comfort is a little misleading because later in the article he admits the most comfort comes from companionship.

Mostly, what a person needs for survival is a combination of flexibility and willingness to learn and apply life skills.

People who continue to cling to the way things should be long after they have changed do the worst.

[malaise]

10. It's a great idea

People will soon use barter. Someone can make baby clothes and exchange for getting the lawn cut; Vegetables can be exchanged for home made cereal and so on.

[Warpy]

13. Barter is great

and it's how a lot of tourist traps function over the winter when the tourists and their money have gone.

I know, I lived in one for ten years.

[Lex1775]

11. Looks like the Lakota Nation is getting in on this as well...

http://freelakotabank.com/

They've started a bank where all money is backed by actual gold or silver.