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Spring 2020. Let the LETS bloom!
In 2010, following in the footsteps of other LETS, we formed our SELesneux, both out of solidarity and out of concern to prevent a possible social shock.
The Star has become our currency of exchange, a stable currency, with no possibility of speculation, devaluation, or misappropriation.
Ten years later, in January 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic hits our world, which will no longer be as it was before. In a few weeks, forced and coerced by a tiny virus, the signatories of the Paris agreement have achieved their objective of reducing the consumption of fossil fuels. Covid-19 stopped the race for growth that the walkers surrounding Greta Thunberg had been unable to stop. The result was not long in coming: the most polluted cities finally became breathable. In China alone, the one million citizens who die every year from this pollution are relieved. We wanted to save the climate and nature found in Covid-19 an unsuspected ally.
On March 19, 2020, the European Central Bank (ECB) comes out of nowhere, one thousand billion Euro. An astronomical amount! It is value directly taken from our European currency, which is becoming even more fragile.
At the same time, solidarity is waking up more than ever. We are calling for LETS whose exchange modalities remain stable (Stars, Butters biscuits, Happiness...).
What is the most solid currency?
Since the 1970s, when Meadows published the report on " The Limits To Growth ", we know that, to believe in infinite growth, you have to be an economist or a madman. Since the 1970s, the world has gone from crisis to crisis, always hoping that it will be the last of the last.
Against the tide, a movement of Transition was born, in the crucible of which Local Exchange Systems, LETS, were formed. Is it a dream to be able to calm the frenzy of business, to see our civilization land rather than run to its doom?
We want to live with our eyes open and to be part of a constructive perspective:
1. We want to believe that our future belongs to all of us. Mutual aid can prevail over brutality. This is the basis of our commitment to our LETS.
Let's use the LETS, again and again, let's multiply our exchanges, invite new members, let's dare to strengthen this social fabric of solidarity on which our resilience is based!
2. We want to believe that our society will be able to draw conclusions from the Covid-19 pandemic and adopt a reserved, reverential attitude towards Mother Nature.
Let's live simply, let's eat "in season", let's buy "local", let's avoid waste, unnecessary travel, let's walk, exchange, share …
3. We believe that respecting each other is the key to "Living Together". Will we one day be able to renounce the censorship mode, still in use in archaic capitalism, and apply the democratic principle of "one person, one vote" in the economy?
The very recent NewB Bank dared to puncture the abscess by proposing a cooperative company where each shareholder, regardless of the amount invested, has one and only one vote. It is up to us to support this initiative and to dare to create more of this type!
May our LETS and all the others flourish!
Take good care of yourself!
Benoit,