New Economics Institute

The mission of the New Economics Institute is to build a New Economy that prioritizes the well-being of people and the planet. 

"The stakes are high. Climate change is accelerating. Inequality is at historic levels. The financial industry continues to teeter on the brink of collapse, threatening the global economy. And all the while, our political system has proven incapable of effecting the structural transformations necessary to — quite literally — save the planet. The time is now for a new approach, a New Economy.

The New Economics Institute has a long history of putting evolutionary ideas into practice. From the BerkShares local currency program to last summer's historic convening of New Economy leaders and practitioners, the New Economics Institute is familiar with making bold visions a reality. Today, our focus is on building a movement that will propel our nation to rapidly embrace the transition to a just and sustainable economy.

Our plan begins with the recognition that a tremendous number of people around the country understand that the system is broken, and that we must work to replace it with something different, something new. Many of thse people have already rolled up their sleeves and gotten to work in their local communities. Many others are just waiting for the opportunity. Our plan is to bring these people together with like-minded organizations and leaders to a build a movement to propel America toward a New Economy." (snip) ...

NOTE: More information at the New Economics Institute website:

UsuryFree Time-Based Currency

...  The Best Alternative Currency!

By Tom J. Kennedy

Information about the usuryfree time currency movement and/or actions by ‘usuryfree creatives’ is being shared with we-the-people at kitchen tables, in small community workshops, at university lectures, on the internet and through audio and video presentations. A new way of economic thinking is being unveiled for this 21^st Century as we-the-people seek to empower ourselves and re-build our respective local communities.

Orthodox economists of the 20^th Century adhered to the concept that ‘whoever owns the gold makes the rules.’ This catchy phrase was translated to mean that the usury elitists (the banking syndicate) who controlled the creation of the world’s money, (unknown to the masses) likewise controlled the world’s raw materials and therefore controlled the distribution and sale of all popular commodities consumed by we-the-people.

The ‘usuryfree creatives’ of this 21^st Century are teaching we-the-people to empower ourselves by the simple action of creating our own ‘usuryfree’ time currency which are really IUO’s (for time) created by the issuer to complete an immediate trade whereby the holder of the IUO accepts to defer his trade to the future. These usuryfree, time-based IOU’s are backed by the honesty, integrity, skills, talents and/or products created and/or distributed by the issuer of the IOU.

This action of we-the-people creating and spending our own ‘usuryfree’ time currency thwarts the traditional control by the greedy action of the usury elitists who would rather we-the-people continue to use their currency (our federal dollars) and pay them a fee (interest which ought to be correctly called usury). Why should we-the-people continue to use their currency and pay them a fee (usury) when we-the-people can now create and spend our own time-based currency for FREE? Think about it! Really think about it !!

During the 19^th and 20^th centuries, the usury elitists of this world stole and secured the world’s wealth by controlling consumer markets for products manufactured from raw materials. At every step of the process from raw materials, to factories to distribution networks, every enterprise sought loans from bankers and we-the-people paid the usury because every free enterpriser factored the usury component into the selling price of all products and/or services. In summary, every product or service offered for sale has a “usury” component that is added at every level of the process from the manufacturing to the final retail store and consumers simply pay a higher price because of the “usury” factor.

During the latter decades of the 20^th Century various distribution gurus surfaced to provide the convenience of one-stop shopping for the masses who were often too busy working to earn the money to pay their taxes and usury to consider how they were being scammed. These distribution gurus and their shareholders amassed fortunes of money from we-the-people who agreed to surrender the growth of local communities by choosing to spend their money with the real enemy - the usury elitists. Consider how during the 1980’s and 1990’s the big box stores and the giant corporate retailers flooded urban and rural areas of North America with a high cost of economic fallout for local communities everywhere with a 60 miles radius of the convenient one-stop commerce centre.

The ‘usuryfree creatives’ of this 21^st Century are no longer subservient to the usury elitists. Neither are they focused on creating a need and then offering solution that will create them (and their shareholders) wheelbarrows full of money by offering a solution to the need that they created. Instead, the ‘usuryfree’ creatives advocate transforming the basic ideas that have conditioned we-the-people to believe the lies, deceit and deception about the actual creation of money.

The ‘usuryfree creatives’ create demand by teaching we-the-people how to resolve our economic shortage by the simple action of creating and spending our own ‘usuryfree’ time-based currency. Yes, the solution is so simple that it repels the mind.

Additionally, the ‘usuryfree creatives’ seek to shift we-the-people away from the usury-based federal currency created and managed by the banking syndicate of usury elitists. The ‘usuryfree creatives’ are encouraging we-the-people to shop locally, that’s with home-based enterprisers and small to medium-sized community businesses thereby supporting quality demand while willingly sacrificing quantity demand. By wilfully choosing to spend our money differently we-the-people can receive better service (quality demand) from our respective home-based and local businesses while we only have to slightly compromise on the size and amount or products purchased (quantity demand) by avoiding the big box stores and giant corporate retailers.The growth of the SDI (Self Directed Income)industry and the realization by more and more ‘re-educated’ individuals that indeed we-the-people can now create and spend our own ‘usuryfree’ time-based currency is driving these new engines of economic progress. More details at the SDI Eye Opener.

Without a doubt, ‘usuryfree,’ time-based economics will lead the way in transforming our global society from one of war, poverty, scarcity and lack to one of abundance, prosperity, peace and plenty before 2020. No one will be left behind in this new ‘usuryfree’ society with its new economic rules for ‘usuryfree’ living. Everyone will be able to pursue his/her passion as a free enterpriser in a world of unified co-operation where we will become honourable stewards of property rather than greedy and selfish owners protecting our scarcity from others.

Indeed, the ‘usuryfree creatives’ are leading the way as they implement the UsuryFree Resolution to create a ‘usuryfree,’ time-based currency for the whole planet. This UsuryFree Resolution will resolve the centuries of damage on modern society inflicted by the enforcement of a flawed economic system whereby the function of usury was the killer part of the financial machinery, though most of the drivers (employees within the various sectors of the financial syndicate) and most of the passengers (the majority of we-the-people) were completely unaware of its potential and how easily this killer machine could have been fixed.

Much thanks goes to John C. ‘The Engineer’ Turmel whose tireless crusade along with his genius Bank Math has played a significant role in exposing ‘usury’ as the design flaw in the orthodox economic system of usury-based, debt money.

2012 – A Timely Year

… For The UsuryFree Time Currency Movement

By Tom J. Kennedy

As we progress into 2013, usuryfree, re-education is transforming the consciousness of we-the-people. Indeed, ‘usuryfree creatives’ from all across Canada (and all around the world) are un-learning the lies, deceits and deceptions that have been foisted upon them and their ancestors for centuries as they read books, watch video clips, attend lectures and follow self-imposed courses of study while using the world wide web of resources available on the internet.

These ‘usuryfree creatives’ are re-learning the basics of wealth creation from a unique perspective. Proposals for ‘usuryfree’ community currency projects are surfacing from many different individuals and groups. Many of these blossoming projects are focused on ‘usuryfree’ time-bsed currency, while others are simply a ‘usuryfree’ community currency.

However, given the ease of modern technology, the respective infrastructures of any active, usuryfree community currency can be easily adapted to use the optimal unit of a time-based currency, which can be traded locally and globally, as well - without the headaches of exchange rates.

In 2013 and beyond, readers are invited to become fully aware of the increasing levels of activity re: proposals for ‘usuryfree’ time currency creation.

Like previous years, 2012 blessed us with its share of triumphs to balance the tragedies. One of the most significant triumphs of 2012 was the timely re-birth and steady-growth of the usuryfree time currency movement.

It is not uncommon for the mainstream media (electronic and print) to focus on tragedies while overlooking or dismissing the triumph of the usuryfree time currency movement as “not newsworthy.”

During 2012, the usuryfree time currency movement went through unique patterns of various local communities adopting the time standard of exchange as the optimal, economic alternative to enable motivated but debt-burdened debtors to throw off the yoke of usury.

Why is the time standard of money becoming the popular choice as an alternative usuryfree community currency?

Firstly, research reveals that every product and/or service offered in the commercial marketplace is directly linked to labour. Of course, labour is naturally associated directly with time – so the focus on a usuryfree time currency is timely indeed.

Secondly, one hour of time has a fixed value of 60 minutes on every continent on planet earth – so “hours and minutes” can be traded locally, nationally and internationally – without any exchange fees when we travel across borders of different countries.

Thirdly, a one hour paper note of any time currency is “free of usury” or otherwise stated “usuryfree.” That is to say, no usury is paid on any member’s positive balance and no usury is exacted on any member’s negative balance. When usury is abolished from the economic equation, wars, violence, poverty, scarcity and lack are replaced with peace, prosperity and abundance for everyone.

It follows that setting a basic value for one hour of unskilled labour to be slightly higher than the conventional minimum wage becomes very appealing for debtors who are seeking creative ways to evade usury and thereby experience the reality of a usuryfree lifestyle.

A couple of examples that I am aware of clearly demonstrate how a usuryfree time currency of “hours and minutes” compares to our conventional, usury-based, debt money system of “dollars and cents” – whether it be in paper notes and coins or electronic blips from debit cards or credit cards.

For example, when the Tamworth Hours project was launched in 2004, the paper note referred to as “One Tamworth Hour” was equivalent in value to $12.00 (Canadian Funds). The “One-Half Tamworth Hour” was equivalent to $6.00 (Canadian Funds) and the “One-Quarter Tamworth Hour” was equivalent to $3.00 (Canadian Funds).

More recently, in the spring of 2012, a usuryfree time currency called "Mountain Hours" was birthed in Summit County, Colorado and the paper note referred to as “One Mountain Hour” is equivalent in value to $10.00 (US Funds). The “One-Half Mountain Hour” is equivalent in value to $5.00 (US Funds) and the “One-Tenth Mountain Hour” is equivalent to $1.00 (US Funds).

These two examples were pattered after the pioneering usuryfree time currency – Ithaca Hours – which was launched in Ithaca, New York in 1991. With a successful track record of more than 20 years, the Ithaca Hour, usuryfree time currency is the longest operating model of a time-based currency and the one most frequently copied.

The paper note referred to as “One Ithaca Hour” is also equivalent to $10.00 (US Funds) and the other paper notes of Ithaca Hours are similarly valued as Mountain Hours.

In 2012, the birth of Mountain Hours sparked a keen interest in debtors seeking to act on solution-oriented ideas that help to re-build the spirit of local community. Shortly after Mountain Hours was launched in Colorado, another local community introduced Mile High Hours. Next came Clearwater Hours in Florida and then Island Hours in New York. Later in 2012, Vols Hours in Tennessee surfaced and then Peak Hours appeared, in yet another community in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Mountain Hours Evolution Radio otherwise referred to as “UsuryFree Radio” with Wayne Walton as host, aired on the Republic Broadcasting Network from mid-June 2012 until mid-October 2012. Hopefully, it will be resurrected in 2013.

This short video clip was posted in August 2012:  “Mountain HoursEvolution Radio” Watch for even more triumphs within the usuryfree time currency movement in 2013 – the Year of UsuryFreeLiving.

Some additional notes on 'taxes' and 'usury as we enter 2013.'

Permit me to address the issue of ‘taxes.’ It is illegal to evade taxes, BUT it is not illegal to evade 'interest' which ought to be correctly called 'usury.' So let's focus on evading 'usury' and stop confusing the issue by having to work within legal parameters while trying to legally avoid taxes.

From an engineering point of view to spend time talking about ‘taxes’ is likened to ‘splashing in the pool’ instead of focusing on the ‘tap’ - the source of money. John C. ‘The Engineer’ Turmel’s ‘shift A/shift B’ explanation of ‘inflation’ using the graphic material in his bank math presentation clearly shows that 'usury' is the direct cause of inflation.

Think about this fact in our current ‘usury’ money system. If you subtract from our taxes paid to the government all of the money paid to the banking syndicate for “debt service” which really is ‘usury’ you will have a small portion of money left. This is how to recognize the current ‘depreciation of service energy’ which is cleverly disguised. We-the-people should NOT be focusing our energy on the avoidance of ‘taxes.’ Instead, let’s ONLY focus on the evading ‘usury’ - the real problem. Understand that ‘usury’ is the ONLY illicit component of the current ‘usury-bsed’ debt-money system.

We should NOT be saying that we object to ‘usury’ and ‘taxes.’ We ought to be correctly objecting to only 'usury.' When you subtract all monies paid as ‘usury’ in our current system, that means that whatever little there is left, is being spent on legitimate services. This is what is commonly referred to as 'taxes for services.' Of course in any new 'usuryfree' money system there will be no motivation for fraud like there is in this current ‘usury-based’ debt-money system. We’ve got to STOP focusing on the issue of ‘tax’ because we are not seeking to avoid paying for the services needed to run our communities. We are seeking to avoid paying ‘usury.’ Dwelling on the so-called ‘evils of taxes’ just confounds the issue and that’s what the usury elitists would like us to do.

I recommend drawing two venn diagrams. One for ‘usury’ and one for ‘taxes.’ The intersecting area clearly shows that there is one component of the venn diagram which is common to both diagrams. This area of commonality is the small amount needed to pay for the services for the community. The two larger areas will be eliminated when ‘usury’ is eliminated. So let’s NOT focus on the issue of ‘taxes.’

There is really no need to condemn the ‘tax’ when it is being used to provide services for the community. If you don’t want to call it tax then call it something else BUT it is a necessary component of any 'usuryfree' money system.

Also let’s try to avoid the phrase ‘debt money system’ to describe what enslaves us right now. Instead let’s correctly call it the ‘orthodox, economic system of usury-based, debt money.’ By simply labeling our orthodox, economic system a ‘debt money’ system we focus the problem on ‘debt’. The problem is NOT ‘debt’ - which is simply a legitimate IOU or a chip or a token. The real problem is the ‘usury’ which is NOT created simultaneously, when the loan or mortgage is created and issued into circulation, BUT which must be paid on the ‘debt’ - the IOU, the chip or the token.

In the perfect model of a 'usuryfree' banking system - the casino bank, all ‘credit’ money or ‘debt’ money is the same - it’s chips or tokens based on collateral or based on IOU’s for collateral. The real problem is the ‘feedback’ in our current, orthodox, monetary system of usury-based, debt money and the ‘feedback’ is caused by the design flaw of ‘usury’

Feedback is welcomed. Forward any emails to: tom@cyberclass.net with "2012 - A Timely Review" in the subject line.

PS: What if 99.9% of the ‘freedom movement,’ the ‘alternative health movement,’ the ‘new age movement’ etc. was introduced and developed by the ‘Usury’ Elitists who are engineering the New World Order to lead we-the-people astray from the simple and unchanging truth that ‘usury’ economics enslaves and ‘usuryfree’ economics liberates?

Indeed, I am proud to be a true point one percenter (.1%) - a ‘usuryfree creative’ who promotes ‘usuryfree’ living for everyone on this planet earth. When our numbers of ‘usuryfree creatives’ reach three percent (3%) the magic of critical mass will engage and we will move this mission ahead with lightspeed. Hopefully, this can happen in 2013 – the Year of UsuryFree Living.

Bristol Pound is helping us all pull together

By Ian Onions

TRADERS in Bristol have given the thumbs-up to the new unique currency which was launched three months ago.

Alex Poulter, owner of East Bristol Bakery in St Mark's Road, Easton, said a significant number of customers were using the Bristol Pound to buy produce from his shop.

He said: "We've definitely benefited from the new currency. People know we are the sort of company which has a local, independent ethos and this fits in with the aims of the Bristol Pound to help traders like ourselves."

Pam Buckle, who runs Wild Oats, a health food shop in Lower Redland Road, said they had been spurred to sign up because of the number of people who were using the currency to pay for goods. She said: "We've been accepting the pounds although we hadn't officially signed up.

"But we have had such a lot of interest, we decided to register. We think it's a lovely idea because it's keeping Bristol money in Bristol."

Ollie Chandler, manager of Blackboy Cycles, said making payments by mobile phone was much more popular than using the new money.

John Hagon, manager of Reg the Veg in Boyces Avenue, Clifton, has just signed up to the new currency.

He said: "We agree with the ethos of it to encourage people to spend their money locally in independent shops instead of supermarkets.

"From what I've heard, it's doing well in other parts of the city and I just hope it takes off here."

More than 500 traders are now using the Bristol Pound since it was launched in September and £100,000 of the new currency is already in circulation.

It is predicted the currency will reach a one million pound turnover within its first year of operation.

Ciaran Mundy, a director of the Bristol Pound community interest company, said: "People are meeting and talking about the Bristol Pound as a way to support each other in harder economic times.

"It helps spread the idea of how great it can feel to live in such a diverse city where people act together for positive change."

Mark Burton, of the University of Bristol, and Bristol Pound technical delivery director, said: "The numbers so far are compelling – with £B100,000 in circulation we can estimate some of the likely benefits, based on Europe's largest similar local currency scheme, Germany's Cheimgauer."

Sign-up sessions to open accounts for the Bristol Pound are held every Wednesday, 12.30 pm-2.30 pm at the entrance to the Corn Exchange.

People can also still open an account online at http://bristolpound.org/signup
 Alternatively email the Bristol Pound team at info@bristolpound.org or call 0117 929 8642.

You can use the new currency – £B1, £B5, £B10 or £B20 notes – in any shop that has signed up to the scheme to buy goods or produce.

As the notes are equivalent to sterling, they are interchangeable with ordinary money. If an item costs, for example, £2.47, then your change would include normal coins. If you paid in sterling, you could ask for any notes in your change to be given in the new currency.

For people who open an account with the Bristol Credit Union, then you can pay by using your mobile phone or internet. You simply send a text to Bristol Pound to make a payment by using your PIN number, the business username and the amount to be paid. A reply will be sent within five-10 seconds to you and the trader to say the transaction is complete.

The new currency can be exchanged for sterling but there is a three per cent exchange fee.

A Renaissance Of UsuryFree Living

A Renaissance Of UsuryFree Living: “In The Midst Of A Financial Meltdown”

By Tom J. Kennedy

NOTE: I penned this article after reading the book "Smart Trust" by Stephen M. R. Covey and Greg Link

Trust in our orthodox, economic system of usury-based, debt money has been in steady decline during the latter years of the 20^th Century and in this first decade of the 21^st Century.

However, there is a shifting paradox that is real, giving hope to usury-burdened debtors at a critical time when our orthodox, economic system of usury-based, debt money is on the slippery slope to becoming the Grand-daddy Depression of this 21^st Century.

At the micro-level (grassroots-level) of society, we are witnessing a true “Renaissance of UsuryFree Living,” while daily we see evidence of the continuing economic chaos at the macro-level (global-level) of society – which is caused by the evil and immoral effects of the design flaw of usury on our orthodox, economic system of usury-based, debt money.

Indeed, we are shifting from a conventional, economic world of low-trust, to an innovative and alternative economic world of high-trust. Motivated, usuryfree creatives are taking leadership roles to create a literal “Renaissance of UsuryFree Living.” They are re-educating themselves on the truth about modern money creation and this new knowledge motivates them to evade usury – the killer machine of our orthodox, economic system of debt-money.

When they learn that usuryfree time currencies function without “interest” or “usury,” they embrace the idea of using a usuryfree time currency in combination with their diminishing amounts of federal cash to negotiate exchanges within their ever-expanding, local and loyal networks of participating time-traders. The usuryfree time currency movement is fast gaining popularity as more and more consumers make a commitment to spend their money differently, simply by shopping locally.

The mutual benefits of trust are evident within the growing networks of people who are choosing to participate as time-traders within our loyal databases of usuryfree creatives. Those who participate rely on trust between the buyers and sellers all of whom are committed to changing the way they spend their money – by choosing to shop within their respective, loyal databases of time-traders.

These active time-traders recognize the significance of their responsibility to honour and serve their fellow-citizens and their actions demonstrate their commitment and inspire others to follow their lead.

There are many reasons why the element of trust is highly respected and honoured within the usuryfree time currency movement. Perhaps the most noteworthy reason is that time currencies are free of “interest” or “usury,” and this is why they are referred to as usuryfree, time currencies.

When the function of usury is eradicated or abolished forever from any economic system of exchange, there is no motivation to lie, cheat, steal of be greedy – just to survive in a world where there is a shortage of money by design. Instead, all who choose to participate, quickly learn that they have access to abundance and they can experience peace and prosperity when usury is no longer in the economic equation of exchange. In summary, when participants understand the distinctive high-trust culture of the usuryfree time currency movement, they comfortably extend and receive trust from others.

Open transparency combined with the honesty, integrity and trust of the participating time-traders is paramount within the high-trust culture of usuryfree creative who are seeking to live the experience of a usuryfree lifestyle. Time-traders have a reputation of being consistent and are known for negotiating exchanges in creative ways that inspire trust.

Indeed, time-traders rely on mutual trust between buyer and seller and negotiate exchanges on the basis of a handshake rather than pressing hard with the pen to make 5 or more copies of legal papers to be enforced by their JUST-US (court) system that likewise, has become a low-trust entity.

High-trust among buyers and sellers in essential if the usuryfree time currency movement is to become the catalyst that offers a glimmer of hope to usury-burdened debtors who are struggling financially in this worst economic climate since the 1930’s.

These awakened and motivated usuryfree creative are constantly spreading peace, prosperity and abundance as they learn about the power and potential of usuryfree economics – and how it differs so greatly from our orthodox, economic system of usury-based, debt money.

The usuryfree creatives commonly refer to this shifting of consciousness about “money” a “Renaissance of UsuryFree Living” because it is a timely, game-changing rediscovery of the barter and trading skills and talents that were common practice among our previous generations of rural ancestors.

The only difference is that in this 21^st Century, given the ease of modern technology, we have the potential to not only trade “hours and minutes” locally but also globally. In this regard, the trading unit known as a usuryfree time currency is becoming the most popular trading currency as we progress into this 21^st Century.

Indeed, there was “Life Without Usury” during the historical Renaissance period and it brought rich dividends to all who participated. The current shifting of consciousness to “shop local” is once again playing a key role in ushering in “Life Without Usury.”

Similarly, now in this 21^st Century, the “Renaissance of UsuryFree Living” has the potential to elevate all of society to experience the reality of a usuryfree lifestyle. Trust is fundamental in the world of usuryfree economics, while fear and lack of trust are commonplace in the conventional world of usury finance.

The usuryfree time currency movement is evolving and dramatically shaping the way people spend their money within loyal databases of local traders – most of whom who double as entrepreneurs who likewise have agreed to accept a usuryfree time currency for partial or full payment of any negotiated exchanges. Buying and selling within our respective, loyal databases of usuryfree time currency traders empowers all who choose to participate.

Evidence clearly shows that the usuryfree time currency movement is focused on creating trust between buyers and sellers. When people experience a taste of usuryfree living, they talk to others about their unique experiences.  These awakened and motivated usuryfree creative are spreading peace, prosperity and abundance as they learn about the power and potential of usuryfree economics – and how it differs greatly from our orthodox, economic system of usury-based, debt money.

During 2013 – the Year of UsuryFree Living - let’s continue to make the usuryfree time currency movement the most trusted economic system of exchange as we progress into this 21^st Century.

Relevant Quotes:

“When trust is not just a word, but in every action, everything we do, we live by our values. Our people watch us. And when they know they can trust us, the possibilities have no limits.” – Frances Hesselbein, CEO, Girl Scouts of the USA, 1960’s

“Ultimately we cannot create high-trust organizations without creating cutlures based on love and care.” – John Mackey, CEO, Whole Foods Market

“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you will help them become what they are capable of being.” – Goethe

‘The assumption of good intent opens the door to high-trust relationships, creative partnerships, and productivity enhancing practices.” – Stephen M. R. Covey

“One reason why violations of trust are so damaging is because trust is such a vital principle, and, consciously or not, we count on trust to make our world meaningful and our relationships worthwhile.” – Stephen M. R. Covey, page 26, Smart Trust

“The very act of assuming good intent changes the dynamic of a relationship. It inspires reciprocity. It leads to trust-building behavior. It creates a virtuous, upward cycle of trust and confidence rather than a vicious, downward cycle of suspicion and distrust.” – Stephen M. R. Covey

“In good times and bad – the motive that best builds trust is caring; the motive that destroys trust is exclusive self-interest. The agenda that best builds trust is mutual benefit; the agenda that destroys trust is ‘win at all costs.’ And the best of both caring and agenda is transparency.”  -  Stephen M. R. Covey