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Some time ago a close working colleague approached me about the possibility of putting out a short daily message, a "column" he called it, which offered my take on the economic news of the day. He wanted something to circulate amongst people he had been working with on a monetary-reform initiative. In concept he envisioned a slightly extended economic thought for the day that could act as a counter-perspective to the seemingly endless stream of dire stories pouring forth from the media. Ideally, it would not be lengthy, perhaps 400 to 500 words; just long enough to convey a meaningful thought, and short enough to read "over morning coffee," or some such break in people's hectic day.

I am a self-taught layman who has been pursuing an independent inquiry into the field of money and economics for almost three decades. In my present life, I travel around the country full-time responding to invitations to have conversations on the subject. I have discovered many things that are for the most part not being discussed elsewhere, whether in academia, media or the culture in general. This column will be one fruit of that quest.

My purpose is not to offer a Polyannish "bright side" to balance the gloomy realities. It is, rather, to offer an alternative economic worldview that is thought out from a wholly different taproot. Hopefully, there will be real answers here to our economic dilemmas. If this sounds abstract for now, or perhaps even a bit arrogant, the reader is invited to judge for him or herself the truthfulness of this proposition in the unfolding of the dialogue.

The first six installments were sent out to people with whom I have met face-to-face over the years. Many have expressed, often adamantly, an interest in continuing the dialogue. I have often expressed an intention of "someday" putting out a written piece on a frequent periodic basis, and many have indicated that they would welcome receiving such an offering. With the initiation of this series of columns, the day of making good on that promise has arrived.

That said, I would also state that for me the purpose of this column is not to replace personal interaction, but rather to augment and expedite it in a phase of my work where the number of people I have tried to remain in communication with has become high. In addition, it is my hope that it will kindle an ever greater scope and depth of conversation amongst others.

Due to limitations of technical resources and having to be on the road for much of the time, I regret that these columns may be subject to a somewhat irregular timing.

Richard Kotlarz
richkotlarz@gmail.com

P.S.
The complete set of columns from this series is also posted at the following website:
http://economictree.blogspot.com/