Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 15:27:18 -0700 (PDT)
From: Happy Hunter
Subject: PLENTY of questions!
I have been watching the posts about this PLENTY concept and so far have reserved judgment, but it sure has spurred a lot of questions in my mind, being a risk-averse person. Here are a few of them… if you KNOW the answers, please respond…either directly or to the Chatlist. If you have opinions about the answers, but don’t KNOW it to be fact… then you’re just like me and need to let the ones in the KNOW talk. Thanks.
Questions:
1) What is to keep someone from printing up a bunch of their own PLENTYs? I know that counterfeiting Monopoly money is not the same crime as counterfeiting US tender, so where does the PLENTY fall in that continuum of criminal possibilities?
2) I see the list of businesses that accept this scrip listed on the PLENTY’s website. One I used once, but none I use now, or most likely would use again. Do you think mainstream businesses like regular grocery stores or gas stations or feed stores (i.e., places where I tend to spend my cash locally) would ever sign up for this program?
3) How do stores handle scrip? Will PigglyWiggly have a “Plenty Only” register, or will they have to deal with two sets of drawers?
4) What denominations do PLENTYs come in? I am assuming (with full knowledge of that danger!) bills only, so what happens to the change?
5) What is the benefit of the whole program? I mean, it might show local spending, but how does that fact help the average Chatham resident?
6) According to the website THEPLENTY.ORG, this is all about the local economy. But isn’t the person who is going to invest in the local economy by using PLENTYs the same person who would invest in the local economy using Visa? Or Cash? Or barter? I just don’t get what having a “local currency” does.
I have PLENTY of additional questions, even before you answer these. But these are the highest priority for me.
Thanks in advance for all the help!