Thy Kingdom Come - No 6

Magazine Overview

Title: THY KINGDOM COME
Issue: No. 6
Date: December 1957
Publisher: The Los Angeles Interplanetary Study Groups
Chairman: Gabriel Green

This issue of "Thy Kingdom Come" magazine, published by The Los Angeles Interplanetary Study Groups, focuses on a proposed economic system called "Prior Choice Economics," developed by Addison Brown (also known as John Believer). The publication aims to present a solution to the perceived problems of the current economic system, promising a future of peace, prosperity, and abundance.

Part I: The Present Economic System—How It Affects You!

The magazine begins by questioning the importance of economics in daily life, arguing that it affects every aspect, from personal relationships to major life decisions. It identifies several critical flaws in the current economic system:

• Wasteful Practices: The system necessitates the destruction of surplus goods (like milk, grain, and butter) to maintain prices, while people worldwide suffer from hunger and malnutrition.
• Lack of Purchasing Power: Businesses stagnate due to insufficient purchasing power among the population, leading to unsold merchandise and financial difficulties for producers.
• Business Failures: Businesses struggle to make profits, sometimes forced to sell at a loss, indicating systemic issues.
• Military Spending: Billions are spent on war materials, threatening global stability and potentially leading to self-destruction.
• Government Taxation: Excessive taxation threatens the nation's economic stability and national security.
• International Competition: The government's inability to provide sufficient aid to foreign countries in its cold-war efforts highlights economic weaknesses.

The publication then addresses the paradox of poverty and starvation existing alongside material abundance. It attributes this to the impossibility of distributing money effectively to those in need and the inherent imbalance between production and purchasing power in the current system. The premise of equal exchange for equal value is seen as a failure, leading to suffering for both consumers and merchants.

Furthermore, the magazine argues that the standard of living is not higher due to the unequal distribution of natural resources, creating an imbalance in purchasing power that hinders trade and leads to conflict.

Part II: Prior Choice Economics—What It Is—How It Works!

"Prior Choice Economics" is presented as a revolutionary new economic system that offers a hopeful future. Its core principles are:

• Non-Monetary System: It is explicitly stated as a non-money, non-spending system where nothing is exchanged at the time of purchase. It is not trade, barter, or a value exchange system, nor is it Communism or Socialism.
• Respect for Law: The system abides by the laws and form of government of the country in which it operates.
• No Transfer of Owned Property: It does not transfer property or goods already owned; it focuses only on products and services available for public consumption.
• No Taking Away: It does not take away what has already been acquired.
• Philosophy: The philosophy is to "add to what is incomplete," "add to that which is destructive, the necessary quality or factors to make it non-destructive," "do not destroy what is thought to be wrong," "do not take away, only add to," and "do not destroy or get rid of, only create or increase."

How Prior Choice Works:

• Distribution of New Products: For scarce luxury items or initial distribution, a "Prior Choice List" is created, ranking participants by the total amount of money (work) they have earned in their lives. This list determines who receives items first.
• Purchasing Power: Each person receives a "Prior Choice Card" indicating their total earned work credit. This card is used to prove eligibility for an item, not for spending. Purchasing power increases with work done and never decreases.
• Pricing: The price of retail merchandise is determined by the amount of work done by the last person on the Prior Choice List who is eligible to receive that item. This price is solely for distribution and is independent of the item's actual value or the manufacturer's profit.
• Pay Rates: A Bureau of Economics would determine pay rates through democratic methods, averaging votes from representatives of different professions. Present monetary rates and labor union scales serve as a starting basis.
• Increasing Purchasing Power: Purchasing power increases with each payday as the new earnings are added to the total work done. The more work one does, the higher their purchasing power becomes.
• Manufacturer's Profit: Profit is determined by the amount produced and distributed. To increase purchasing power, products must be consumed or used, discouraging waste. Manufacturers increase purchasing power by recording sales and services rendered.
• Production Stimulation: Production is stimulated by guaranteeing a profit on what is produced for use. A manufacturer's ability to increase purchasing power is independent of a consumer's immediate ability to pay, limited only by technological capacity and the actual use of the product.
• Incentive: The incentive is similar to the current system: more service rendered leads to increased purchasing power and the ability to purchase more types of items. Higher positions on the Prior Choice List grant priority in receiving items.

Part III: What Prior Choice Can Do for You—Why and How!

This section details the benefits of Prior Choice Economics:

• Increased Production and Abundance: The system removes the bottleneck of consumers' ability to pay, allowing production to increase and meet demand, leading to abundance and higher quality merchandise. Products will no longer be designed to wear out quickly.
• 100% Distribution: If enough is produced for all, everyone receives. Scarce items are distributed based on "Prior Choice" (work done).
• Automatic Retirement Pension: Individuals can retire at any time with the same standard of living they had when working, as purchasing power is not spent. Automation allows for a comfortable retirement without financial worry.
• No More Taxes: Since money is not exchanged, taxes are unnecessary. Public services are supported by the recognition of work performed.
• No Risk of Losing Acquired Assets: With no money medium, inflation, deflation, booms, and busts are impossible. One's standard of living is maintained even if unable to work due to illness, accident, or retirement.
• Permanent Increase in Purchasing Power: Any work done earns recognition that is retained, preventing the loss of purchasing power due to unforeseen circumstances.
• Universal Medical and Dental Care: Healthcare is provided without socialized medicine, supported by the civilization's abundance, with providers receiving purchasing power recognition based on work performed.
• Free Permanent Insurance: Lost, damaged, or used-up items are replaced, as there are enough resources available for everyone.
• Economic Security: Individuals know their future purchasing power based on their work, eliminating financial worry.
• Freedom from Want: Modern technology can produce necessities and luxuries for everyone, distributed through Prior Choice.
• Poverty and Starvation Ended: Farmers and manufacturers can increase profits by selling to those with previously insufficient purchasing power, enabling global consumption and increased production in needy areas.
• Fair Wages: Fair wages are possible because employers do not depend on consumer payments to pay employees. The system corrects injustices of underpaid individuals.
• Free Education: Education is supported by the civilization's abundance, with the price of educational materials being zero. Teachers can be compensated based on their abilities.
• Security Releases Tension: Economic security reduces tension and uncertainty, preventing juvenile delinquency and mental health issues.
• Solves International Trade Problems: "Have nations" can trade with "have-not nations" without the need for dollar-for-dollar exchange, and needy countries can accept aid logically and reciprocate with surplus products.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout the magazine is the critique of the current economic system, highlighting its inherent flaws, wastefulness, and contribution to poverty and insecurity. The editorial stance is strongly in favor of "Prior Choice Economics" as a utopian solution that promises universal abundance, economic security, fairness, and peace. The publication presents this new system as a logical progression enabled by technological advancements, offering a hopeful alternative to the perceived failures of existing economic models. The emphasis is on individual contribution through work and the collective benefit derived from equitable distribution and production, free from the constraints of money and traditional economic mechanisms.

This issue of "THY KINGDOM COME" from December 1957, with the cover headline "HOW TO BEAT COMMUNISM AND BRING PEACE TO A CHAOTIC WORLD!", presents a comprehensive overview of a proposed economic system called "Prior Choice Economics". The magazine details the mechanics, benefits, and implementation strategies of this system, positioning it as a solution to various societal and global problems.

Prior Choice Economics: The System Explained

Shopping from the Living Room (Article 16)

The core of "Prior Choice Economics" is described as a revolutionary shopping process. It leverages modern technology, including television, telephones, and automatic vending machines, to allow consumers to shop from their homes. Customers view products on TV, note the price, and if it's within their 'Prior Choice Card' limit (based on work done), they can order it by dialing a serial number. The product is then delivered by truck, and the purchase is recorded automatically via punch-card systems to prevent fraud.

Abundance Through Automation (Article 17)

This section posits that automation and machines replacing human labor will lead to increased leisure time for individuals. Since living standards are not dependent on individual effort but on the civilization's overall abundance, increased production through automation enriches everyone. Those displaced by machines can retire or find new jobs, as full employment is guaranteed by the removal of economic restrictions on production.

Cradle-to-the-Grave Security (Article 18)

"Prior Choice Economics" claims to eliminate the need for taxes to fund social programs like pensions, subsidies, or welfare. The system promises increased living standards for everyone without taking anything away, suggesting a self-sustaining economic security.

Free Enterprise and Quality (Article 19)

This article argues that the "Prior Choice" system guarantees good service and quality products. Since customers don't pay money directly but identify their work contribution, competition focuses on quality rather than price, enhancing the overall quality and workmanship of products.

Women's Emancipation (Article 20)

The system is presented as liberating for women, allowing them to be recognized and rewarded for their work in professions, including homemaking and raising children. Women can marry for love, free from economic necessity for support.

Trade and Service Facilities (Articles 21, 22, 23, 24)

Import and export trade barriers become unnecessary as manufacturers receive fixed profits. Production can operate 24 hours a day, leading to the establishment of numerous 24-hour service facilities. Shorter work weeks, like four-day weekends, become possible due to mass production and automation, reducing traffic and making travel safer and more enjoyable. Free public transportation is also envisioned, enabling frequent world travel and fostering understanding among people.

Economic System Advantages (Articles 25, 26, 27)

"Prior Choice Economics" is described as benefiting everyone—capital, labor, management, and consumers—with no one losing out. It offers a solution to personal and national debt problems by recognizing creditors' purchasing power and clearing debtors' records. Furthermore, the system is said to accelerate spiritual development and consideration for others, as individuals realize their well-being depends on collective effort.

Workability and Universal Brotherhood (Articles 28, 29)

The system is claimed to be workable in any community and can operate alongside the current money system. It promotes a "Universal Brotherhood of All Mankind" by shifting focus from religious beliefs, political affiliations, or race to the service individuals provide to society. The motivation for actions becomes love and consideration for others, demonstrated through their work.

World Cooperation and Peace (Articles 30, 31)

A new "Bureau of Economics" is proposed to form the basis for world government, where nations cooperate based on how people serve others. Representatives would determine purchasing power rates. The system aims to achieve peace by eliminating wars over resources, as it combines the ideals of "production for use" and "production for profit", creating a stable economic concept.

Fulfillment of Prophecies (Article 32)

The magazine suggests that the "Prior Choice Economic" procedure fulfills religious promises and prophecies, leading to a world that could be called the Kingdom of Heaven, Nirvana, or Paradise.

Putting Prior Choice Into Action (Part IV)

This section provides a detailed guide on how individuals can help promote and implement "Prior Choice Economics". It includes various methods such as writing to the author, studying literature, word-of-mouth advertising, personal contacts with leaders, social gatherings, publishing materials, organizing lectures and study groups, writing letters to officials and newspapers, and utilizing radio and television publicity. It also suggests forming new political parties like the "Economic Security Party" and conducting free prize contests to demonstrate the system's viability.

About the Author

Gabriel Green, the author, is presented as a 33-year-old deeply interested in solving people's problems, finding his answer in "Prior Choice Economics". His interest in America's welfare is attributed to his ancestry, which includes figures like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. His ideals are compared to the emancipation from physical slavery, seeing "Prior Choice Economics" as a means to achieve emancipation from economic slavery and true freedom under God.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly advocates for "Prior Choice Economics" as a utopian solution to a wide range of societal issues, including economic inequality, lack of security, and international conflict. The editorial stance is highly optimistic and promotional, presenting the system as a universally beneficial and divinely inspired path to a better world. Key themes include the elimination of money, the benefits of automation and leisure, universal brotherhood, and the fulfillment of spiritual and economic promises. The magazine actively encourages reader participation in spreading awareness and implementing the system.