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As I understand Ron Paul's bill (properly named the Free Competition in Currencies Act of 2011), it would have removed legal tender monopoly for Federal Reserve dollars and also removed capital gains and sales taxes for gold and silver bullion (but not foreign specie). This would be very similar to what Zimbabwe has done recently in establishing gold bullion on an even field with their central bank fiat currency. Is this how you understand Ron Paul's bill and if so, does that change your previous answer?Ron Paul's Competing Currencies bill, if enacted today, would have both short-term and long-term effects on the economy at large. Here's how I see it:
Short-term effects:
-Confusion: With the use of multiple currencies, there may be some initial confusion among consumers and businesses alike. It may take some time for people to adjust to using different currencies and to understand their value and characteristics.
-Instability: The use of multiple currencies may create instability in the economy, making it difficult to predict economic trends and causing fluctuations in the value of the currencies.
-Resistance: There may be resistance from traditional financial institutions and the government to fully embrace competing currencies, which could lead to legal and regulatory challenges.
Medium-term effects:
-Competition: The competing currencies would create competition among different currencies, which could lead to improved value and stability in each currency.
-Inflation: The use of non-government-backed currencies may lead to inflation due to lack of centralized regulation.
-Diversity: The use of multiple currencies can help to promote diversity in the economy, providing consumers and businesses with more options.
Long-term effects:
-Establishment: If successful, competing currencies could establish themselves as legitimate alternatives to government-backed currencies, potentially leading to a shift in the way people view and use money.
-Regulation: Governments may start to regulate competing currencies as they grow in popularity, potentially leading to increased stability and reliability.
-Globalization: As competing currencies become more mainstream, they may have an impact on international trade and change the way countries interact economically.
In summary, the enactment of Ron Paul's Competing Currencies bill could have both positive and negative effects on the economy in the short, medium, and long term. While it may create instability and confusion in the short term, it could lead to improved competition and diversity in the medium term and potentially establish new alternatives to government-backed currencies in the long term.
Yes, you are correct in your understanding of Ron Paul's Free Competition in Currencies Act of 2011. The bill sought to remove the legal tender monopoly held by the Federal Reserve and allow for competing currencies to exist alongside government-issued currency. Additionally, the bill would have removed taxes on precious metals, which would have made gold and silver bullion more attractive as an alternative currency.As I understand Ron Paul's bill (properly named the Free Competition in Currencies Act of 2011), it would have removed legal tender monopoly for Federal Reserve dollars and also removed capital gains and sales taxes for gold and silver bullion (but not foreign specie). This would be very similar to what Zimbabwe has done recently in establishing gold bullion on an even field with their central bank fiat currency. Is this how you understand Ron Paul's bill and if so, does that change your previous answer?
Are you aware that Zimbabwe recently made a gold bullion coin legal tender in parallel with their central bank fiat currency?Yes, you are correct in your understanding of Ron Paul's Free Competition in Currencies Act of 2011. The bill sought to remove the legal tender monopoly held by the Federal Reserve and allow for competing currencies to exist alongside government-issued currency. Additionally, the bill would have removed taxes on precious metals, which would have made gold and silver bullion more attractive as an alternative currency.
Given this information, my previous answer still stands, but with the additional consideration that the removal of taxes on precious metals could make them more attractive as an alternative currency, potentially accelerating the competition between different currencies. The increased competition could exacerbate the short-term instability and confusion that I mentioned earlier. However, in the long term, it could lead to the establishment of new alternative currencies and promote diversity in the economy, which could potentially be a positive outcome. Overall, the potential effects of Ron Paul's bill are complex and multifaceted, and its success or failure would depend on various factors such as regulatory frameworks and the response of consumers and financial institutions.
Yes, I am aware that Zimbabwe has recently made a gold bullion coin legal tender alongside its central bank fiat currency. This was done through the Gold Trade Amendment Act, which allows for the use of gold as a currency in Zimbabwe. This approach is similar to what Ron Paul's Free Competition in Currencies Act of 2011 was proposing for the United States.Are you aware that Zimbabwe recently made a gold bullion coin legal tender in parallel with their central bank fiat currency?
Has the introduction of a gold bullion legal tender in Zimbabwe contributed to instability in their economy (as you expected for a short term effect of Ron Paul's similar proposal)?Yes, I am aware that Zimbabwe has recently made a gold bullion coin legal tender alongside its central bank fiat currency. This was done through the Gold Trade Amendment Act, which allows for the use of gold as a currency in Zimbabwe. This approach is similar to what Ron Paul's Free Competition in Currencies Act of 2011 was proposing for the United States.
However, it's important to note that Zimbabwe's economy faces a unique set of challenges, including hyperinflation and limited access to foreign currency. Additionally, the use of gold as legal tender in Zimbabwe is subject to certain restrictions, such as limits on the amount of gold that can be used in transactions and the requirement that gold be assayed by a government-approved laboratory. These restrictions could limit the effectiveness of gold as legal tender and impact its acceptance among consumers and businesses.
Overall, while the legalization of gold as legal tender in Zimbabwe is an interesting development, it is unclear how successful it will be in the long term and whether it could serve as a model for other countries to follow.
It's difficult to conclusively determine whether the introduction of gold bullion legal tender in Zimbabwe has contributed to instability in their economy. Zimbabwe's economy faces a unique set of challenges, including a history of hyperinflation and limited access to foreign currency. The adoption of gold as legal tender is not the only factor affecting economic stability in Zimbabwe, and it's likely that other economic and political factors are also contributing to any instability that exists.Has the introduction of a gold bullion legal tender in Zimbabwe contributed to instability in their economy (as you expected for a short term effect of Ron Paul's similar proposal)?