Underground Knowledge — A discussion group discussion

Excerpt from INTERNATIONAL BANKSTER$: The Global Banking Elite Exposed and the Case for Restructuring Capitalism:

“Under the guise of being nice guys, the central bankers have done to the people what no army in history has been evil enough to do.” –Jarod Kintz, This Book is Not FOR SALE

A lot of the financial corruption exposed in this book relates – either directly or indirectly – to the central banking system.

But what is a central bank?

A central bank is a financial organization responsible for overseeing the monetary system of a nation. It manages a country’s currency, sets interest rates and steers an economy toward inflation targets.

Central banks are also often called reserve banks. For example, the Federal Reserve (also known informally as the Fed) is the central banking system of the United States.

Other examples of central banks around the world include the People's Bank of China, the Reserve Bank of Australia, the Central Bank of Brazil, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank of England.

Elements of modern central banking systems have existed for around a thousand years and date back to The Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) in China where the first circulation of a paper currency occurred.

The legendary Knights Templar – the wealthy Christian military order that reigned in medieval Europe for almost two centuries (1119-1312 AD) – ran a banking system that economists widely believe inspired present-day central banks, including the Federal Reserve in the US.

However, it wasn’t until the 17th Century that the first official central banks were formed as certain nations such as the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK began to move away from commodity money (usually silver or gold) to circulating notes that simply represented ‘promises to pay’.

From there, the central banking system spread like wildfire all around the world. Eventually, such banks cropped up everywhere from Africa and Central America to South America and Asia.

“In fact this is precisely the logic on which the Bank of England—the first successful modern central bank—was originally founded. In 1694, a consortium of English bankers made a loan of £1,200,000 to the king. In return they received a royal monopoly on the issuance of banknotes. What this meant in practice was they had the right to advance IOUs for a portion of the money the king now owed them to any inhabitant of the kingdom willing to borrow from them, or willing to deposit their own money in the bank—in effect, to circulate or "monetize" the newly created royal debt. This was a great deal for the bankers (they got to charge the king 8 percent annual interest for the original loan and simultaneously charge interest on the same money to the clients who borrowed it) , but it only worked as long as the original loan remained outstanding. To this day, this loan has never been paid back. It cannot be. If it ever were, the entire monetary system of Great Britain would cease to exist.”―David Graeber, Debt: The First 5,000 Years

There are certain independent researchers, perhaps of the sensationalist variety, who have said “central banks are pure evil” or made other such alarmist statements. However, in reality, if a nation’s central bank is managed without internal corruption and without interference from foreign countries, it should actually be a stabilizing force. In theory, a central bank can shield an economy from volatility in financial markets not to mention prevent fraudulent activities committed by commercial banks.

But the operative word, of course, is corruption. Throw corruption into the mix and central banks start veering toward the “pure evil” term some ascribe to them.

And there is also a central bank for all the central banks, The bank of international settlements in Basel, Switzerland. I think this is where the real power in the world lies...

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_f...

Tim wrote: "And there is also a central bank for all the central banks, The bank of international settlements in Basel, Switzerland. I think this is where the real power in the world lies...

http://en.m.wikip..."

What about the Vatican Bank? Where do you think that fits in?

Good point, not sure, must link in somehow with the BIS

Tim wrote: "Good point, not sure, must link in somehow with the BIS"

Okay, well Switzerland certainly is a banking powerhouse of a nation that's for sure.

There is a fiction book called The Divine Trap by Pascal Roussel. He used to work in high finance in Europe but left and wrote this book which supposedly exposes the dark secrets. It is very badly written (or the translation was bad, originally was in French) and the story is not so good, but the information about how the financial system works is interesting. Was released in 2011.

Another excerpt from INTERNATIONAL BANKSTER$: The Global Banking Elite Exposed and the Case for Restructuring Capitalism:


A short history of central banking in the US

Numerous economists and historians, and vociferous politicians like Senator Ron Paul and Governor Jesse Ventura, have opined that the global elite had been aiming to control the resources of the United States for centuries. Creating an American central bank privately owned by an international banking cartel seemed to be the most efficient way to achieve this aim.

In 1791, the First Bank of the United States was set up apparently because the Government had a massive debt left over from the Revolutionary War known as the American Revolution. Many researchers say this was the earliest attempt by banking families of the global elite to create a privately-owned US central bank, masquerading as a federally-owned entity.

Although the bank had numerous opponents in the political arena, it only controlled 20% of the nation’s money supply – unlike the Fed today which manages 100% of the nation’s money supply and not a ‘penny’ less.

American Founding Father and the nation’s third President, Thomas Jefferson, was one of the most vocal critics of the First Bank of the United States. He argued the bank was unconstitutional, citing the 10th Amendment.

Jefferson also hinted that a central bank would lead to a monopoly instead of a free market. He said, “The existing banks will, without a doubt, enter into arrangements for lending their agency, and the more favorable, as there will be a competition among them for it; whereas the bill delivers us up bound to the national bank, who are free to refuse all arrangement, but on their own terms, and the public not free, on such refusal, to employ any other bank.”

This experiment in US banking ended in 1811 when the bank’s charter expired. Because of the institution’s many critics, Congress decided not to renew its charter.

Six years later, in 1817, the Second Bank of the United States was brought into being as major international banking families continued to push for an American central bank. This bank was also quite temporary with President Andrew Jackson ending its existence only 15 years later.

However, the global elite’s bankers did not give up, and in the early 20th Century started formulating ideas to create the US Federal Reserve System as we know it. One of the group’s breakthrough ideas came during a secretive meeting at a hunting lodge on Jekyll Island, off the coast of Georgia, when they decided not to call the new bank a central bank. History had shown America did not want a central bank.

After much brainstorming, the deceptive Federal Reserve name was agreed upon – presumably because it was assumed this name would fool the public into thinking it was a government-owned bank.

Although representatives of this shadowy banking cartel were open to co-managing this new central bank with Congress, all agreed the bank’s members had to be private banks that would own all of its stock.

“The accepted version of history is that the Federal Reserve was created to stabilize our economy. One of the most widely-used textbooks on this subject says: "It sprang from the panic of 1907, with its alarming epidemic of bank failures: the country was fed up once and for all with the anarchy of unstable private banking."

Even the most naive student must sense a grave contradiction between this cherished view and the System's actual performance. Since its inception, it has presided over the crashes of 1921 and 1929; the Great Depression of '29 to '39; recessions in '53, '57, '69, '75, and '81; a stock market "Black Monday" in '87; and a 1000% inflation which has destroyed 90% of the dollar's purchasing power.” –G. Edward Griffin, The Creature from Jekyll Island

(In book two of our international thriller series of novels The Orphan Trilogy, one of the founding members of an uber-powerful, shadowy organization is a senior banker of the US Federal Reserve, aka the Fed. It’s a work of fiction, of course, but much of the research we did for that series has carried over to this book and to this chapter in particular).

If one day proven to be correct, the alternative theory surrounding the Federal Reserve is one that may explain a variety of unusual occurrences in financial markets over the years.

In a nutshell, this theory contends that the Fed is an institution that acts independent of the US Congress, has zero transparency or accountability, and even determines its own monetary policy.

James Morcan wrote: "“In fact this is precisely the logic on which the Bank of England—the first successful modern central bank—was originally founded. In 1694, a consortium of English bankers made a loan of £1,200,000 to the king. In return they received a royal monopoly on the issuance of banknotes. What this meant in practice was they had the right to advance IOUs for a portion of the money the king now owed them to any inhabitant of the kingdom willing to borrow from them, or willing to deposit their own money in the bank—in effect, to circulate or "monetize" the newly created royal debt. This was a great deal for the bankers (they got to charge the king 8 percent annual interest for the original loan and simultaneously charge interest on the same money to the clients who borrowed it) , but it only worked as long as the original loan remained outstanding. To this day, this loan has never been paid back. It cannot be. If it ever were, the entire monetary system of Great Britain would cease to exist.”―David Graeber, Debt: The First 5,000 Years."

This puts alot of The National Debt into perspective... I'm not so sure that brokering the banking system as is would be a bad idea, but if it destroyed the entire nation along with it, it becomes a matter of choosing the lesser of two evils.

Hi Erma - central banking in theory should be a good thing if managed fairly. But it also allows for crazy situations where elite banking families in Europe can subtly dictate America's finances...

I just bought a book called 'a history of central banking and the enslavement of mankind' by Stephen Goodson. It looks interesting, it goes from the Roman times right up to present day.

Does anyone have a better idea? Please discuss.

When considering money matters we can start from an understanding that the concept of money is a cultural invention.

Throughout history entire civilisations have bloomed, many with their own unique interpretations of the concepts of finance / barter / exchange.

From cowry shells to gold, any rare material can within a cultural context be recognised as having an agreed value. The exchange of favours, too, is a powerful deeply ingrained social strategy from prehistoric times. Big business today utilises it to conceal transactions.

The paper money, even digital money, can be freed completely from the power of the banks.

Society need only agree to hold the interests of society and the State above the interest of the Banks, which, in that circumstance, will become public servants.

If the the owners of Banks wish to make their own money then they must create wealth - the same as the rest of us - and cease to prey on the labours of others.

That the entirely half the world may choose fight to the death to protect their "right" to prey on others in no way absolves us of the responsibility to present them with that choice.

We easily forget now that for decades the former Communist regimes had financial systems isolated from the West, yet they put satellites in space, were the first to do so.

We are very wrong to imagine that the Western banking system cannot be completely gutted and reinvented from scratch, and done so in a way that does not imperil society.

The system has collapsed many times already. Clearly the original 1694 arrangement, a long running con foisted on to the State in unfortunate circumstances is a model that has proven to be unstable, unneeded, unjust.

So, what can we do?
Iceland imprisoned their corrupt banksters.
The USA gives federal handouts to theirs.

Should we regulate our banks? Reinvent the money system? How?

Paul wrote: "Does anyone have a better idea? Please discuss.

When considering money matters we can start from an understanding that the concept of money is a cultural invention.

Throughout history entire civi..."

Well said, sir.

"Society need only agree to hold the interests of society and the State above the interest of the Banks, which, in that circumstance, will become public servants." - That best answers your question "So, what can we do?" I believe.

Unfortunately we are beings with physical restraints... we have to eat and drink... at least to some extent... if we weren't slaves to the domesticated animal and factory grown foods, we could take care of those physical necessities without spending money.

Could we live comfortably without a house and a soft, warm, cuddly bed? Car? Bike? Bus? Train? Media/internet? Has society been deliberately evolved into a place where we are slaves to the elite? Was there ever a point in time where we had a choice?

Gold used to be currency... our currency today is always changing.... many European countries now share the same currency... what's next? Will money become absolute like gold? Are we at a point in time where the elite are getting closer to their ultimate goal(s)?

Lisa wrote: "Will money become absolute like gold?."

Not sure if this is a typo, but the value of gold and other monies (including simply the paper they are printed on or the base metal they are stamped from) varies incredibly, both from day to day, and hour to hour...

I have never heard of gold or any other currency being an 'absolute'.

But then, I may be misreading...

Erma wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Will money become absolute like gold?."

Not sure if this is a typo, but the value of gold and other monies (including simply the paper they are printed on or the base metal they are s..."


Sorry, Erma.... it was supposed to obsolete.... as gold is not used any longer as currency.... at least not the same way it used to be....i'm guessing my autocorrect likes absolute better

No worries! I kinda figured. :)

But it did raise some interesting thoughts... What if a currency were to become and have an absolute value? I think part of the monetary system as is tries to act that way, and that is where part of the financial downfall occurs...

Erma wrote: "No worries! I kinda figured. :)

But it did raise some interesting thoughts... What if a currency were to become and have an absolute value? I think part of the monetary system as is tries to act t..."

Reading your comment made me think of the current debate regarding minimum wage. We are all "grouped" into classes and whether you belong to the minimum wage, middle-, or upper class... unless you make some drastic changes in your life, you will stay in that class.... cost of living and taxes can be hard to beat.

Lisa wrote: "Reading your comment made me think of the current debate regarding minimum wage. "

Minimum wage is a farce. It really is. So is the poverty line. (This from someone who made $18k last year.)

It doesn't matter how much you raise it, because everything else will go up to reflect that change, and will justify that increase every time. I do agree with your statement about classes, but we are brainwashed and trained to think like that. It's sad, really, that no matter how many 'bones' get tossed down the line, the poverty line will always be there, and if anything, the number of people living under that umbrella will increase, rather than decrease, making the elite even more so, and increasing that gap.

Erma wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Reading your comment made me think of the current debate regarding minimum wage. "

Minimum wage is a farce. It really is. So is the poverty line. (This from someone who made $18k last..."

Lol.... sounds like we are the controlled environment of a research project...

Erma wrote: "It's sad, really, that no matter how many 'bones' get tossed down the line, the poverty line will always be there..."

We're in a better situation now than 100 years ago. If it weren't for the recent fashion for "do as we please" ungoverned capitalism today's "dirt poor" would at least have a roof, free education and free health care.

But it is our society; we do live in a democracy.

Our ancestors had a great deal of fun participating in the great social conscience movements of their day. There were activist parties, all sorts of fun stuff.

It wasn't all done by Letters to the Editor and the super-fast broadband of the day, the Telegraph and the Telephone.

They met together, ate together, planned together -

I've heard that on an alien planet it was done like that, too.

Just wondering here -

# Am I right to read the consensus that all favour an equitably governed capitalist economic system? The right to create legal personal wealth? A compassionate "safety net" to relieve the distress of those who can not fend for themselves - the young, the elderly, the infirm, the unemployed?

# We are also agreed that nations have a right to sovereignty, that sovereignty is incompatible with a single global economic system, that to fully own and control a business in a foreign nation you must be a citizen resident of the nation?

# Do we agree that harmony not conformity between global systems and cultures is the ultimate aim?

# Do we agree that government/society must aim for zero unemployment, that full paid (if not meaningful) work must be provided or created?

There are amazing parallels between Earth history and the story of those aliens on planet Zerozone (Ze'roz'on'e).

I'm just asking for help here. The team camped outside SETI Station Waihopai did not get a chance to download all of the available data. We suspect that there are many other harmonic nodes around about.

Surely there must be others who have key data?

Have you yourself had any intimation that the story of history unfolding on Earth has it's parallel on a comically inverted world light years away? For them, our today is ancient history.

Their society today (must be) kind of utopian.

How --- exactly, step by step, as much as we can know that can be told, or has been shared, even from that alien world were surely they have their own secrets --- how did it all come to be?

A tremendous story! Passion, intrigue, romance ---

We know this for certain. On that alien planet:

Voting rights for women were the gift of the Suffragettes.

Voting rights for anyone at all were wrested from the covetous hands of the elite.

Slavery was abolished in their alien version of the British Empire because of social action.

Have you> had contact with aliens, heard their ancient radio broadcasts?

Perhaps you have heard from another planet, the one that went totally mechano-fascist, like Star Trek's Borg.

Please share.

Lisa wrote: "Unfortunately we are beings with physical restraints... we have to eat and drink... at least to some extent... if we weren't slaves to the domesticated animal and factory grown foods, we could take..."

A change in the financial system shouldn't mean the end of creature comforts. Comfort existed long before the invention of money.

Paul wrote: "Erma wrote: "It's sad, really, that no matter how many 'bones' get tossed down the line, the poverty line will always be there..."

We're in a better situation now than 100 years ago. If it weren't..."

"Waiter, find out what he's smoking and bring a few ounces to my table ..."

Paul, i think our definition of comfort varies...

Brendan wrote: ""Waiter, find out what he's smoking and bring a few ounces to my table ..." "

You've never heard of the SETI Station at Waihopai, a valley on the northern end of the South Island of New Zealand?

Rumour has it, it is part of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing arrangement.

Rumour has it, there's a lot more going on, too.

The airwaves above NZ are relatively quiet ...

Signals have been received.

I was part of a team in the 1980's that intercepted some of these transmissions. We were a covert group of flower children spying on the US spies at Waihopai.

The truth is out there!

Lisa wrote: "Paul, i think our definition of comfort varies..."

So, what's your definition of comfort, Lisa?

I generally settle for a roof, a bed, blanket, affordable public transport, a meal and a cup of hot chocolate.

Is that - or similar - too much to expect for being born? In the family of man, resources there are to provide the basics for every one.

To attain to the desirable luxuries of life, well, get a job -

Private yachts, joy trips to the moon - not on the public purse, thank you :-)

what information were you able to intercept?

roof, bed, hot chocolate costs money. ...and that was my point. .

I often prefer the comfort of public transport, but it costs money too.

Lisa wrote: "what information were you able to intercept?"

Quite substantial, but not so much. The general description of the planet, something about the culture, their history --- remarkably similar to our own, which shouldn't really be surprising as the environment is very similar, similar stresses, same universal laws.

We know they're bi-pedal. We translated some of their language, enough to get a feel for it all.

But our information is sketchy. Signals have been lensed through intervening star systems, taking light years to reach us.

Also, the signals we received were broadcast originally there as documentary or entertainment. All mish-mashed up, but still discernible.

Waihopai was just one receiver. There may be other sensitive points around the world --- We expect so. That's always been the hope. Other receivers, shared knowledge -

I know of a guy in Greece. We were discussing the trouble in Greece even as it started to show early signs. This was ... 5? years ago, or more? Maybe 7. I forget. He also had received.
He used some aluminium foil shaped into a parabolic curve, pointed just past the Sun, attached to a radio receiver.

It takes quite something to decrypt. But computers make that much easier these days.

Lisa wrote: "roof, bed, hot chocolate costs money. ...and that was my point. ."

My point is that you can have all these things without using money as the medium. Barter and exchange.

The concept of money is a cultural invention, in our case the Bank of England invented the current form in 1694, so it says above.

How money is governed is decided by others and we just go along with it.

The value that is apportioned things and services goes back to Roman times. A labourer was to be paid such-and-such, and some other service so-and-so.

But in a society that valued women, would not women be paid more?

You can work a day's work and be paid in kind. Being rewarded for your effort is all that matters.

Brendan wrote: "Paul wrote: "Erma wrote: "It's sad, really, that no matter how many 'bones' get tossed down the line, the poverty line will always be there..."

We're in a better situation now than 100 years ago. ..."

"Waiter, find out what he's smoking and bring a few ounces to my table..."

...and a few ounces to my table, too.

Lance Morcan wrote: ""Waiter, find out what he's smoking and bring a few ounces to my table...""

cough cough
All written under the influence of nothing but fresh air and an open mind ... wheeze

But if it takes chemical intervention to understand, no judgement here.

RE: Waihopai. Truth! Absolutely.

I read the first draft of PR for this late breaking newz waaaay back in 1983 ---

One of these days others will start taking ownership of bits and pieces that they've independently discerned over the open aether -

Seems to me (professionally speaking, as an occasional producer, and a script writer) that there might be all kinds of weird ideas out there that can cross over from the the "not there" to the "almost here". Some of them from real live aliens.

We live in the age of "reality" TV shows.

What is proposed is an ultra low budget "faux reality" occasional web series which can be edited into a proper broadcast programme format later --- a best of.

Alien communications, and locally home-grown sympathetic remakes of alien TV shows might develop later, or, maybe, somewhere someone is already working this ---

My producers in Changchun Film Group Corporation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changch...
are interested ---

The "Armageddon Party" format proposed for the later production, which will be an on-going monthy or bi-monthly event at a sponsors establishment, will feature real-world equipment, and literature, for sale.

Water purifiers, boutique produce, tourism, all rather neo-hippy, probably, unless the bogans take over -

===

Fantasy, and false news, both have equal potential to educate and to misinform.

And within the format of "alien awakening" there will certainly be real-world events, a lot of fun to be had.

Already have tacit approval here in Wellington for a radio show, videoed also, a party, promoting craft beer for Chinese audiences. A celebration of the China-NZ world first agreement on co-production of film and TV. An easy, elegant, cheap little plan that requires only interest and enthusiasm. The Chinese interest is served through promoting tourism, commerce, and the interests of democracy are very robustly represented by good folks like those here in the Underground.

All a good bit of satirical democracy, wired for commerce, plugged into bags of fun.

Tourism, education, cultural awareness (Western style democracy included, hence interest in the Undergrounders).

In these still early days, the times when people really notice, it is a free ride.

Later, once the engines of commerce start ticking over, a fee will be likely be required for promotion through the Chinese media networks. But not now, so it's a great opportunity to establish a brand. It's free PR that has global interest.

I hope our US brethren remember that both the Chinese and the Russians were our allies against fascism in the second world war.

The Undergrounders are weird! The stories and works referenced here are bizzare. Interesting.

I work for a media group. I declared that earlier.

Was not my idea. Just facilitating.

Motion tabled ---
Who's rolling?

Paul, its not what you say, its how you say it. I find your train of thought, or how you type it, is very difficult to follow. I knew a fellow years ago (1990) who had done way too much acid when he was younger. All of his sentences made perfect sense, but he never seemed able to form these into coherent paragraphs. Your writing style reminds me of that in that you change subject without warning, or at least don't link your thoughts together in a manner that I can follow.

The comment about what you re smoking was a reference to an old Cerberus comic book. The man saying it is a Grocho Marx inspired politician who makes about as much sense as the fellow he' talking about. :)

Brendan wrote: "Paul, its not what you say, its how you say it...."

Might I ask, what parts of what I wrote do you consider to be drug induced? The bullet-point discussion primer or the obvious tongue in cheek?

The train of thought follows a clear progression from "manifesto" to the method of sharing an alternative world view, and a way to monetise that. It really is all just rather a lot of fun.

In the most recent post just above yours, in reply to Lance Morcan, I detail how the shows are produced.

Though our writing styles might differ, Brendan, the style I've chosen is not so very different from many of the posts here -

Paul wrote: "The train of thought follows a clear progression from "manifesto" to the method of sharing an alternative world view, and a way to monetise that. It really is all just rather a lot of fun...."

Wake me up when we get to the fun part...or when we return to the original tangent (let alone the actual subject of this discussion thread: central banking!)

James Morcan wrote: "Wake me up when we get to the fun part...or when we return to the original tangent (let alone the actual subject of this discussion thread: central banking!"

Wake up James :-)

The discussion so far:
Central Banking + Bank of England 1694 >
Invitation to Discuss Alternatives >
Successful Historical Initiatives to Change the Status Quo >
Description of Current Project related to Fun Alternative

All together, a fun way to take the piss on the International Banksters and maybe make some money too ---

Admittedly, the production discussed breathes money, it's designed to be commercial. But we've agreed, right? We're not discussing the overthrow of Western Civilisation, only altering the rules a little.

But getting ahead of you there, sir, as Group Founder of course you hold the Chair.

In the context of open discussion I again table the motion that we go through the motions of pretending to discuss alternatives to the current system with the given topic of "International Banksters, the Central Banking System" It's all underground, and who will take offence?

Doods and Doodettes, chill out! Not looking to start a revolution. Just having some fun -

Paul wrote: "Wake up James :-)

The discussion so far:
Central Banking + Bank of England 1694 >
Invitation to Discuss Alternatives >
Successful Historical Initiatives to Change the Status Quo >
Description of Current Project related to Fun Alternative..."

It was all the alien stuff and a million other analogies and tangents in between, including what appear to be film proposals no less, that I couldn't remotely follow...

Again, my advice is to keep it on topic and keep it simple.

James Morcan wrote: "my advice is to keep it on topic and keep it simple.'

When I read something that I do not understand, I read it again.

When I am written to personally, even in a public forum, I take the time to read carefully, and to sometimes struggle to understand, as a personal and a professional courtesy.

I understand the concept of "planes of awareness". Perhaps I am flying too high for you.

There is plenty of time. Given time if you want you can understand the communication.

But I am not remotely confused by the seeming obtuse reaction my suggestions and explanations have garnered here.

I hear you, I read you, you do not wish this forum to be used to discuss alternatives, and are not interested in considering a production proposal (I am not soliciting finance) which addresses the topic in discussion.

Paul wrote: "I hear you, I read you, you do not wish this forum to be used to discuss alternatives, and are not interested in considering a production proposal (I am not soliciting finance) which addresses the topic in discussion. ..."

Yes I work in the film industry also, but Goodreads is a site for book readers, mate - this is not the place for film proposals if you think about it...
This group is about sharing and discussing all those topics that are not usually allowed or encouraged to be debated in the mainstream media.

Underground Knowledge is something I'm passionate about and view it as a movement of sorts in that so many of these important subjects need to be debated in public like this.

So is it too much to ask to keep things on topic? e.g. "central banking" rather than "central banking and aliens and how to make yogurt and movie ideas and the meaning of life etc, etc"...

Hoo boy. Glad that I wasn't alone in trying to skip across the Lily pond without falling in.

As an attempt to divert the stream of consciousness here...

I am unclear why banks, and bankers! need to be so predatory. Yes they have employees, who work an honest job, and need paid an honest wage. With all of the banking options out there, in the US alone, that is a significant percentage of the population.

Question being, why the high interest rates? For those who can afford it, sure. But that was part of the housing market crash in '08. People got the loans, easy as you please, then couldn't make the payments after the interest kicked in.

I had a former mentor back when I was a wee Private... he didn't trust banks. He invested. He pointed out...

You put your money in a coffee can under the bed, it sits there. It don't do anything. But it is there when you need it, and as long as you are the only one touching it, you know what you got.

Or, you put your money in a bank. They loan that money out to someone else, and charge someone else to use your money. Most of the time, you don't even get a percentage for them using your money like that. It's implied consent, whether you gave it or not. If you go under a certain amount, they even charge you.

As another option, you can invest your money. They pay you to use it, and depending on how much you invest (and where, I might add) depends on how much you get back, and when. It was his preferred option.

I have tried all three, and each works to its own extent, but his question stayed with me. Why pay someone else to make money with your money, when you can make money with your money?

To give you a visual, this guy was always pristine in uniform, but in regular clothes? He literally wore a velvet pimp suit, with a classic handmade fedora. He was a great guy, and was always willing to help out those in need (I seen him do it for a few of my buddies who weren't that we'll off - but that's off the point).

Anyways, what would the banking system look like if we tore down the banking structure as is, and instead had a monetary system similar to Kiva and other microloan systems?

A History of Central Banking and the Enslavement of Mankind

Erma wrote: "I had a former mentor back when I was a wee Private... he didn't trust banks. He invested. He pointed out... ..."

Is this the aforementioned Thai guy aka "the man"?

Lol - no. "The man" is my consort; and I cannot recall the name of this particular Sergeant. He really was a character, like something you'd read about, but had stepped out of the pages of a book.

In my line of work, I meet so many characters that I would think were made up, if they weren't standing before me, flesh and blood.

Erma wrote: "Lol - no. "The man" is my consort; and I cannot recall the name of this particular Sergeant. He really was a character, like something you'd read about, but had stepped out of the pages of a book. ..."

Say hi to "the man"!

Politician flips out - Exposes the Central Banking Scam -- https://www.goodreads.com/videos/1061...

A History of Central Banking and the Enslavement of Mankind



A History of Central Banking in Great Britain and the United States

'We have passed the peak of central bank reliance' http://www.smh.com.au/business/market...

"In addition to these pragmatic goals, the powers of financial capitalism had
another far-reaching aim, nothing less than to create a world system of
financial control in private hands able to dominate the political system of
each country and the economy of the world as a whole. This system was to be
controlled in a feudalist fashion by the central banks of the world acting
in concert, by secret agreements arrived at in frequent private meetings and
conferences. The apex of the system was to be the Bank for International
Settlements in Basle, Switzerland, a private bank owned and controlled by
the world's central banks which were themselves private corporations."

Prof. Carroll Quigley (Tragedy & Hope)

Collusion: How Central Bankers Rigged the World