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I have decided it is time to capitalize on the declining value of the dollar and to help organize and facilitate trade between individuals and business in an increasingly regulated world.

I have decided to pursue becoming a Community Trade Coordinator for the American Open Currency Standard. 

I first learned about the AOCS at the Campaign For Liberty Seattle Regional Conference. I have been intrigued since then at the prospect of using silver and gold as a barter mechanism to facilitate trade- trade that would hold its value at a much more stable rate than that of the Federal Reserve Note.

The goal of the AOCS is to establish a private and voluntary network of individuals and business who wish to utilize the asset preservation power of gold and silver to facilitate trade amongst themselves. Many city-specific currencies have sprung up since this depression began and long before that merchants have opted to provide their customers with the convenience of gift cards. But what if that local currency loses its luster? What if the store from whom you have purchased your gift card goes out of business?

The AOCS seeks to remedy this problem by providing a barter token that is by itself a valuable commodity- 1 Troy ounce of .999 silver for every ‘fifty’ barter credits (and to a lesser extent gold). There are over 26,000 merchants nationwide who have agreed to be listed that they accept transactions based on barter- and given the current state of affairs that number will surly rise.

Many people purchase Gold and Silver to hoard it for use at some date in the future when our fiat currency system fails (as historically everyone has). But consider this- we are two generations away from when the last remnants of the gold standard were severed from the American financial system. When the collapse of the Federal Reserve note comes, will your local grocer be ready and have the knowledge to trade value-for-value? What about the local gas station or restaurant? How about transactions between businesses themselves?

The reality is that despite the massive awaking to sound currency as a result of the efforts of Dr. Ron Paul and the Campaign For Liberty, very little progress has been made in restoring the role of Gold or Silver in the marketplace. The AOCS seeks to be the force that provides support and education to local merchants who desire a better way to do business in an increasingly command-and-control economy.

First things first: I am looking to place the initial order of AOCS Silver rounds as soon as possible. Given the increasingly top-heavy threats from the Obama administration, we must act in all prudence and seek to organize our private, voluntary currency networks as soon as possible. If this concept interests you, or if you desire a better way to capture your customers’ loyalty, please feel free to contact me. As soon as I get the details worked out with AOCS I will open an online store of sorts to facilitate the purchase of AOCS Silver rounds.

In the meantime, take a look at the American Open Currency Standard website to decide if this is right for you.

Also, take a moment to learn about Dr. Ron Paul’s efforts to Audit The Fed and repeal Legal Tender laws. 

With the right amount of innovation, the Free Market will never be defeated.

While much attention is placed on the bad side of the global economic depression, very few are trying to find those slight glimmers of hope that maybe, just maybe, this isn’t as bad as it seems. In the moment we are hurting, facing painful adjustments and lifestyle changes. We are learning, and often times finding a happier balance in our lives, by embracing a more economically feasible way of living.

One good thing is coming out of this economic hell is the sudden rise of the layman study of economics. Had someone argued for auditing the Federal Reserve system even two, three years ago you may well have had blank stares back, or worse. But now, thanks to the popularity of Dr. Ron Paul’s HR1207, the bill to audit the Federal Reserve, many Americans are taking a sudden interest and asking questions to which they are finding increasingly disturbing answers.

Take for example, the the monetary supply base. Such a conceptual and theoretical field of study might seem a bit technical for the average person, but in reality, when one takes a quick survey of its application, you find that it is actually quite straight forward. To loosen our economy, under the Federal Reserve system, we simply expand the monetary base, giving banks and lending institutions more reserve capital upon which to do business. Conversely, when we need to slow down a booming business cycle, we contract said supply. And thus, the boom and bust business cycle is born.

Or how about the name itself. “The Federal Reserve System”. It sounds so official, so quaint, so trusting. With such an powerful name, it simply must be an institution that is most critical to living in a modern world. Well, that is until we find out that it is neither federal or has reserves. In fact, when one really studies our entire economic structure you realize that it has no backing at all. It is a fiat currency system. Our dollar is only good so long as the people still believe in and have faith in our paper currency and Republic.

Of course governments, realizing that people would reject this currency if it ever came to fall out of favor, have declared this “legal tender”. Meaning that as a merchant, or private citizen, if you are selling something for an agreed upon price the dollar, the Federal Reserve note, is what must be accepted. That is, of course, unless you are trading for something of equal value on both sides (barter).

In a free-market transaction I can sell you a haircut for $15. I offer my services as a hair cutter, or lawn care specialist, perhaps selling a product, in a value for value exchange. My goods or services are exchanged for your money. You gain the benefit of a new haircut, lawn mow, perhaps the fixings for dinner, and in return I obtain monetary gain.

Well recent economic troubles have pushed the value of the dollar downward. This is happening for a multitude of reasons, but the first and foremost is the rapid and sudden growth of the amount of Federal Reserve notes in circulation. You see, we didn’t obtain the stimulus or bailout monies by taxing our way there, rather we simply printed it. We put ourselves into debt to the private Federal Reserve bank and we will repay this debt through inflation.

Many countries are worried about our economic troubles and are considering de-pegging themselves from the United States dollar. Indeed, even American’s themselves are rushing back into tangible currency. Consider this: American gold and silver eagle proof and uncirculated coins are still under temporary production freezes while the US Mint seeks to keep up with the demand for bullion gold and silver stock.

Fortunately, one collaborative group saw this writing on the wall and organized ahead of the curve. This group has prepared an alternative currency/barter system for trade/purchases both now and should the dollar fail at some future date.

The American Open Currency Standard seeks to:

The AOCS exists to expedite the implementation of silver as money. We actively prospect, train, and support the 3 groups that comprise the AOCS: Merchants that accept AOCS Approved Currencies, Currency Issuers that conceptualize & requisition new minted pieces, and Currency Officers that exchange the Currencies with the general public. The AOCS promotes local enterprise, rebuilds local community wealth and creates a profit for you! (1) AOCS Mission Statement from opencurrency.com

The AOCS is both a currency, with a expanding network of merchants and retailers who will accept AOCS rounds for payments of goods and services, and a wealth preservation system. Historically, nothing else competes with the ability of precious metals (gold and silver) to rise and fall in value in accordance with the general rate of inflation and economic conditions.

Think of it as a gift certificate. Only should this company fail, the gift certificate itself will be worth something. Many stock and bond certificates have been rendered moot when the corresponding company closes its doors and goes out of business. Gold and silver, throughout history, has never failed to retain some sort of value and predominately has always been one of the most sought after assets.

But the most compelling case for a currency backed by the stability of precious metals? Because the Constitution requires it!

Article I Section 8

“To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures.”

Article I Section 10

“No State shall… coin Money; emit Bills of Credit (fiat currency); make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts”

If this interests you, check out opencurrency.com or go ask your local gold/silver broker about purchasing precious metals, both for wealth preservation and an alternative barter currency should the need arise. Remember, the need to purchase goods and services that you need to survive will not disappear simply because our currency collapses under the weight of our own debt. By preparing and familiarizing ourselves now we can find both stability and preservation of our financial assets.