2006 conference announcement

PO BOX 601, VALATIE, NY 12184
Tel: 1-518-392-5387, email: ami@taconic.net
http://www.monetary.org
Stephen Zarlenga, Director

Dedicated to the independent study of monetary history, theory, and reform

Announcing the second annual

AMI Monetary Reform Conference, Chicago, Sept. 21–24, 2006

(Special Note: Due to structural problems and lack of sound regulation in the airline industry, flight arrangements from the New York area to Chicago should be made as soon as possible)

Dear Friends,

Last September the first annual AMI Monetary Reform Conference launched what’s been called the beginning of the modern grass roots movement for American monetary reform and thereby World reform. Make your plans now to attend the 2nd annual Conference in Chicago, September 21st thru 24th, 2006! Our money system clearly needs an overhaul to secure economic justice and peace as we enter the 3rd Millennium of the Christian period. It’s evident that true reform, not palliatives, are necessary to move humanity back from the brink of nuclear war; away from a World dominated by fraud and ugliness and toward a World of justice and beauty. The conference advocates the minimum initial steps to begin this process and put time on the side of humanity instead of against us. You may receive this announcement amidst very depressing news and events, but we urge you to avoid discouragement and instead join with us in this adventure to achieve positive results for America and the world.

The situation in which knowledgeable monetary reformers find ourselves is that after years of studying monetary history and theory, we already know many if not most of the broad shapes that monetary reform should take. We know from experience that these views have stood the test of time and many challenges from those with less experience in the field or operating under misconceptions or pursuing non-reform agendas. Rather than merely arguing over these main themes, it is time for those of us who understand, to move forward to implement those elements that we know must be a part of good reform.

What are these broad national parameters supported by over 3000 years of history? That the control of money systems should shift away from private control toward governmental control. Away from commodity money notions; away from fractional reserve banking – monetizing private credits and loaning them into circulation at interest. Towards money issued interest free by government and spent into circulation for the common good. The system must be morally grounded in fairness.

Not seeking blind trust, we’ll continue educating and explaining why the proposals are beneficial and moral and continue to present the historical evidence demonstrating that. We’ll answer any serious challenges, and those arising from plain misunderstanding. We may invite selected spokesmen for differing reforms to succinctly present their case. But we’ll do it within a context of advancing the reform agenda, making necessary adjustments as we proceed. Dissenters obviously don’t have to join in the reform phase; but neither need we procrastinate, waiting for all to experience their monetary epiphanies, before moving forward. The direction of world events requires that we begin a solid program now.

Themes of the AMI Monetary Reform Conference

The conferences will focus on three broad areas:

The Monetary Reforms: The main focus of the conferences - Researchers will describe and make the case for the kind of monetary reforms advocated, presenting both the logical and historical basis for them, and the mechanics of implementing them. Extensive question and answer periods and panel discussions can air doubts or concerns regarding the desirability of the reforms and suggest refinements. Included will be discussions of research and thinking methodology. A monetary reform bill – The American Monetary Act, ready for introduction into congress will be analyzed including strategies for getting it supported.

Achieving the Reforms: Selected Political, Social and Monetary Activists will give the benefit of their experience in educating, raising public awareness, organizing and motivating people and governmental bodies to influence public policy decisions

Using the Reforms: Presentations on how a properly reconstituted money power within government will be effectively used to “promote the general welfare”. These will focus on several areas:

Infrastructure programs, including education and health and upgrading America’s crumbling infrastructure, focusing on futuristic designs well within the reach of today’s technology and economy, to create hospitable, clean, sustainable cities of the future.

Farming parity proposals for maintaining the existence of family controlled environmentally sound farming.

Education proposals to provide crucial funding from sources other than middle-class property taxes.

Medical Care proposals which more effectively and fairly distribute the benefits of our medical technologies.

Each area identifies another constituency which will support monetary reform.

This conference is open to the public*, and to properly organize it the AMI requires a minimum donation of $295 per attendee. In order to encourage young participants, thanks to scholarship donations, there is a discount available for bona-fide students at $175 per person. (Special note to students: the HI CHicago Youth Hostel next to Roosevelt University welcomes them at only $32 per night, with no age limit, no membership requirements and no curfews)
This donation covers substantial conference materials and aids, daily coffee breaks, a Reception and a Celebration Dinner and beach barbecue. Hotel and travel costs are separate at group discounts. We say minimum donation because affluent attendees who want to help out with larger donations are strongly encouraged to do so. They will be listed on a conference honor roll, or may remain anonymous. We encourage being listed, as we need to develop ways to honor those who are helping financially. It enables us to extend attendance scholarships to students. Looking forward very much to seeing you and advancing monetary reform to the next level.
Stephen Zarlenga,
Director

Thursday Sept. 21st: Registration from 8 AM. (and the prior Wednesday evening from 6 PM to 9 PM)

Each day will begin with coffee, tea, muffins, bagels, jams, etc, served half an hour
before the talks start.

At the conference close, AMI hosts a Beach Barbecue at Chicago’s renowned Oak Street Beach. For the athletically inclined, and if Lake Michigan co-operates, we’ll have a Magnificent Mile Swim (and an alternate mile “Walk”). Those completing the swim receive the prestigious (and well-earned) Magnificent Mile Swim Challenge Club T-shirt.

The Conference (and Reception and Dinner) will be at Roosevelt University at 430 S. Michigan Ave. in the heart of Chicago. Last year our first Conference filled the hotel’s limited meeting facilities to capacity, with attendees from around the country and as far away as Canada, Britain and Australia. This year Roosevelt University’s conference room, with good audio-visuals can hold more, in comfortable classroom type seating, using narrow tables.

Choose your own accommodation level from 3 nearby Hotels: (AMI will help assign attendees who want to share rooms)

1) Chicago’s Essex Inn at 800 S. Michigan Ave, features a large indoor/outdoor pool, and health club which opens onto a tree landscaped terrace with seating overlooking Chicago’s Grant Park and Lake Michigan. An outstanding group rate for Michigan Avenue: $73 per person per night (double occupancy) after 15% taxes! $140 single. Reservations at 1-800-621-6909 and mention the American Monetary Institute Conference. Reserve from Wednesday Sept.20th. http://www.essexinn.com

2) The Travelodge Hotel Downtown at 65 E. Harrison; a nice simple Travelodge, a block from Roosevelt University. $100, double occupancy. Reservations must be made through the AMI at 518-392-5387. www.travelodgehoteldowntown.com

3) The Original Conrad Hilton Hotel at 700 S. Michigan, for those desiring some extra stars, at $219 per room, double occupancy; add $25 for triple occupancy, etc, before taxes. Reservations are at 877-865-5320. Mention the AMI Conference.

4) The HI Chicago Youth Hostel at 24 E Congress Pkwy, across the street from Roosevelt University. These modern, clean, secure, dorm style accommodations (4 to 6 to a room) are only $31 per night. There’s no age limit, no curfew and no membership required! Some of our younger 2005 attendees stayed here. It enables us to also strongly promote the conference to a young audience, who may not have much money, but have great social commitment to creating a better world than we are handing them. We’ll help them do that. Call 312-583-2225 for reservations. Mention the AMI Conference. http://www.hichicago.org

The Conference speakers:
Click Here to see the full schedule with photos and talk descriptions

Many of last year’s speakers are invited back in 2006 to update us on developments. There will be lots of opportunity to interact with speakers - many will be present all 4 days. Please check the AMI website in coming weeks for additional speakers and fuller descriptions of their talks and backgrounds. Here are the confirmed speakers.

Congressman Dennis Kucinich, major proponent of social and economic justice and possible future President of the United States of America;
David Hershey, leading Chicago pension fund advisor/manager, on applying Frederick Soddy’s ideas today and the Fed under Bernanke;
Michael Hudson UMKC professor and PBS commentator, author of Super Imperialism, on reforming the international payments system;
Prof. Robert Blain, S.I.U., author of The Most Wealth for the Least Work through Co-operation, on the debt buildup up in the U.S.;
Charles Walters, founder and Editor Emeritus of ACRES USA environmental farming Magazine and
Randy Cook, Executive Director of National Organization for Raw Materials will discuss farm parity programs and methods for governing monetary control;
Dr. Edward Chambers President of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), author of Roots for Radicals, Organizing for Power, Action and Justice; the advanced source book for achieving progressive goals, discusses principles of organization that can apply to monetary reform.
Prof. Guido Preparata, Univ. of Washington at Tacoma, will review and analyze several of the monetary ideas of Sylvio Gesell;
Ben Gisin, of Agricents, publisher of Touch The Soil magazine focuses on the developing food insecurity, describing how monetary policy has been wrecking agriculture and degenerating food quality;
Prof. Nic Tideman, economist of Virginia Tech, and formerly a Senior Staff Economist at the President's Council of Economic Advisors in Washington DC, on factors adversely influencing the Distribution of Wealth;
Dick Distlehorst on replacing privately created money with US money through the American Monetary Act;
Prof. Glen Martin, Radford Univ., Pres. of Intl. Philosophers for Peace Organization will discuss movements toward peace and international parliament initiatives;
James Gibb Stuart, of Prosperity Newsletter, sponsor of the Bromsgrove Monetary Conferences on UK developments and how he and several associates saved Malaysia from the worst efects of the currency speculators attack in 1997;
Stephen Zarlenga author of The Lost Science of Money on progress at the American Monetary Institute and why monetary reform is quickly becoming a mainstream issue;
Mr. Ken Bohnsack, Founder of the Sovereignty Proposal to loan US money interest free to local government on a per capita basis for infrastructure;
Mr. George Romero, nationally known taxation specialist on charitable giving to assist reform movements;
Mr. Kenneth Palmerton, formerly of the Island of Jersey, speaking on its popular money system (yes, Guernsey too) and on other monetary developments in England;
Prof. Param Srikantia, of Baldwin-Wallace Business College, and
Prof. Kristin Kucsma , of Drew University will both discuss educational methodology for conveying concepts that go counter to more widely accepted viewpoints;
Robert Poteat, long term monetary researcher from Onalaska Washington on advancing monetary education and reform;
Greg Michalich on the American Monetary Act.
AMI Chapter leaders will report on the 14 AMI Chapters in development around the U.S. and discuss how chapters get started and advance - whats working in attracting and educating fellow Americans on reforming the money system - progress in reaching our lawmakers. Our goal is to establish one chapter in each Congressional District! (and to have a good time doing it)

Ami has two proposed monetary legislation acts in development, The Monetary Transparency Act which should be ready for introduction into Congress; and the American Monetary Act, which represents comprehensive monetary reform, including the nationalization of the Federal Reserve System. We’ll discuss both in detail; how to get them supported and why they should not be compromised to appease financial interests.

Please see the report on our 2005 conference at our website. Those who attended will tell you how wonderful and encouraging it was to be together with others who understand the vision for monetary reform. It was a valuable experience of much needed “community.” The same feeling has emerged in our AMI Chapter meetings.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Enclosed is my $______ registration donation for the 2006 AMI Monetary Reform Conference in Chicago September 27 to 30th.
Minimum donation $295 per person.

Early Registration Discount if mailed by December 31, 2006 is $195.
Bona fide student registration, with ID, is $175. A limited number of full scholarships will be available.
Scholarship donation: Enclosed is my donation of $______ to be used for conference scholarships.

(An 80% refund is available until April 1st, and will afterward be pro-rated downward to a 20% refund after September 1st)

*The American Monetary Institute as part of its responsibility in sponsoring the Conference reserves the right at its sole discretion and without public or private explanation, to restrict attendance at this Conference to persons it considers will enhance the purposes of the meeting, as detailed above.

For excellent pre-conference reading: (Conference presentations assume this book has been read)

Please send me a copy of The Lost Science of Money book by Stephen Zarlenga. Enclosed is my check for $52 ($48 plus $4 S & H) [Canada add $14 air, $8 surface; Europe, Africa, Asia add $26 air, $16 surface].

Bill my credit card (no Amex) ____________ Card #_____________________________________

Address___________________________________________ City/State/Zip______________________________

Phone #__________________________________ Email: ________________________________________________________

Tel. 518-392-5387 or 224-805-2200 or 847- 359-2524 - If leaving a message, use a very loud and very clear voice!

Mail your registration to the American Monetary Institute
P.O. Box 601, Valatie, NY 12184