Paul,
 
Thanks for your very perceptive words.  I have had difficulty for years getting many to understand
that the use of money to acquire goods or services is no more than a trade delayed.  Money is simply
a promisory note given for a good or service in the present in exchange for a good or service in the
future.  No one would accept money for goods or services if they didn't have confidence that it
would be accepted in the future for goods and services.  Money can take the form of currency,
personal checks, negotiable securities, shells (money cowries), gold, etc.  Money was a very useful
invention utilized to deal with the problems inherent with barter.  But, everyone should realize
that it is a device to facilitate commerce and the exchange of goods or services, not a repository
of inherent value.  Money (and particularly confidence in the dollar, which if you will all recall
was backed by gold until Nixon) has been around so long that people forget that it would be
worthless if everyone did not have confidence in everyone elses' willingness to accept it for goods
or services.  Only goods and services have any real value.  And, the direct exchange of them has
represented a "purchase and sale" transaction before money was ever invented.  Once confidence is
lost in a particular form of money, it becomes worthless.  It will not be accepted.  If anyone
questions the validity of this, try a little experiment.  Pay for your next purchase of shells from
one of Conch-L's member dealers with a personal check (one form of money).  Make sure there are
sufficient funds to permit the dealer to exchange it for dollars (another form of money).  Next time
do the same, but don't have any dollars in the bank to cover the check.  After the check bounces and
the dealer is unable to obtain dollars for your check, see if the dealer will accept your check a
third time.  And, if you are still not persuaded, then I've got a trunk full of authentic, old,
non-collector quality Confederate currency with which I'd like to buy your house (or car, or should
I say horse).  After all, it was valid currency once.
 
 
--
Marlo
Merritt Island, Florida
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Paul Monfils wrote:
 
> Ross,
> Trades don't count??  Then what does the "value" we write in on that
> customs tag mean anyway?  If it is related in any real way to the
> items in the box, then what difference does it make whether I  pay
> you for those items in cash or merchandise?  If a diamond is worth
> $1,000 when I pay for it in cash, is it worth less if I pay for it in
> rubies?  or pearls?  or a motorcycle?  or seashells?  For income tax
> purposes, the government considers barter (that is, trading) to be a
> sale and a purchase by both parties.  I can't escape paying sales tax
> on a mobile home if I acquire it by trading a truck for it.
> Regards,
> Paul M.