Time Banks- what do you think?

[ComradeMan]

I watched a programme on TV that showed a guy in Chile who had set up a "time bank" (banca de el tiempo) in his neighbourhood- then I checked and found more references in Italy and the UK. I found some information in English here:-

http://www.timebanking.org/what-is.html

What is Time Banking?
A time bank is a new and exciting way for people to come together to help others and help themselves at the same time. Participants 'deposit' their time in the bank by giving practical help and support to others and are able to 'withdraw' their time when they need something done themselves.
Giving and Receiving Time
Time banks measure and value all the different kinds of help and skills we can offer each other. In a time bank, everyone becomes both a giver and a receiver.
Everyone's time is valued equally : One hour = 1 time credit

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Any thoughts or ideas?

[danyboy27]

its an interesting system, and could be implented at a governemental level at a certain extent.

[Demogorgon]

its an interesting system, and could be implented at a governemental level at a certain extent.
Yeah you have to be careful how it works though. Some people need more help than they can give for instance. An elderly housebound person may need quite a bit of assistance and be limited in what they an give. You have to be careful that people like that aren't being turned down because they don't have enough credits in their account.

[ComradeMan]

Yeah you have to be careful how it works though. Some people need more help than they can give for instance. An elderly housebound person may need quite a bit of assistance and be limited in what they an give. You have to be careful that people like that aren't being turned down because they don't have enough credits in their account.

That's a very good point and although I like this idea in principle what you have mentioned seems to be a potential Achilles heel- the same could be said of younger people/kids who needed help- what could they give in return?

[danyboy27]

Yeah you have to be careful how it works though. Some people need more help than they can give for instance. An elderly housebound person may need quite a bit of assistance and be limited in what they an give. You have to be careful that people like that aren't being turned down because they don't have enough credits in their account.

Well, instead of paying taxes, physicly and or mentally able people would have to fufill certain governemental task such has building road, organising community, making blueprints of communial building etc etc.

it would work in pair with a labor voucher system, would be more practical that way.