Hi, I am someone who joined this forum to have some important questions I have been wondering about since I watched Zeitgeist Addendum. I am not interested in attacks on the credibility of this film or its makers. Attacks of this sort are only attacks, and have no logical connection to the real-world validity of what is said in the film: only measurement can support a theory. In the physical sciences, we (I'm a physics student) take this of utmost importance as we attempt to accurately and precisely describe reality as it is, even when it goes against our personal biases (and thus why measurement is so powerful). When I say measurement, I mean any interaction with the physical world that is objectively recorded, so data and experience are both equally valuable as long as they are objective.
Please help answer any of these questions you are familiar with that have been burning in my head about the use of money. Note that answers that are disconnected from reality by the author not being familiar with the subject matter will only detract from the quality of this thread.
To what extent is the interest generated by lending newly-created money that the Federal Reserve has ordered to create owned by private banks?
To what extent is it in the interests of the Federal Reserve to inflate currency?
To what extent have we, or will we, as a country, own so much debt that to pay it off we will have cut or abandon our most important social and environmental endeavors?
What are the chances that the current debt will expand faster than our commitment to pay it? What are the consequences if it is becomes absurdly obvious that the debt will grow faster than ability to pay it? I am familiar with debt-forgiveness programs in other countries: what would the United States do if it was to negotiate debt-forgiveness with its own banks, foreign banks, and the IMF? Would we sell mineral rights, water programs, and development projects to multinational corporations as has occurred in 3rd world countries?
Why doesn't the United States, in the interests to generate funds for its endeavors, as well as to increase the savings of its citizens and support low-income financial independence, make better incentives for its citizens to loan the government money (perhaps by having special higher-interest bonds for lower-income citizens to purchase)?
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback, hopefully we can piece together something of logical quality from the responses. This may be the most important subject of the United States in the 21st Century.
Please help answer any of these questions you are familiar with that have been burning in my head about the use of money. Note that answers that are disconnected from reality by the author not being familiar with the subject matter will only detract from the quality of this thread.
To what extent is the interest generated by lending newly-created money that the Federal Reserve has ordered to create owned by private banks?
To what extent is it in the interests of the Federal Reserve to inflate currency?
To what extent have we, or will we, as a country, own so much debt that to pay it off we will have cut or abandon our most important social and environmental endeavors?
What are the chances that the current debt will expand faster than our commitment to pay it? What are the consequences if it is becomes absurdly obvious that the debt will grow faster than ability to pay it? I am familiar with debt-forgiveness programs in other countries: what would the United States do if it was to negotiate debt-forgiveness with its own banks, foreign banks, and the IMF? Would we sell mineral rights, water programs, and development projects to multinational corporations as has occurred in 3rd world countries?
Why doesn't the United States, in the interests to generate funds for its endeavors, as well as to increase the savings of its citizens and support low-income financial independence, make better incentives for its citizens to loan the government money (perhaps by having special higher-interest bonds for lower-income citizens to purchase)?
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback, hopefully we can piece together something of logical quality from the responses. This may be the most important subject of the United States in the 21st Century.