Or at least devalue it in some form? It seems that those who signed on to the idea of a unified economy are now undermining it by using regional script to engage in local business.

This 'script' won't replace the Euro, but it may force those countries to look at the reasons why they subscribed to it in the first place. They may re-evaluate the idea of not having a monetary trade in their own currencies.

I guess nationalism and allegiance to borders are stronger than one might want to believe.

article (http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,469875,00.html)

Or at least devalue it in some form?

No. There are actually local currencies in the USA (usually in hippy commie towns), and they have done nothing to stop the use of the dollar. Next question.

Nothing beats that good old fashioned East German pride :rolleyes:

The biggest problem as I see it is that there are huge economic disparities across the EU. Romania has an average income that is one twentieth (http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/eco_gro_nat_inc_percap-gross-national-income-per-capita) of what it is here in Norway (and even though we are not part of the EU, we are sort of part of it-- and we receive Romanian beggars). On the other hand, Spain is no longer a cheap tourist destination-- almost has prices as high as London or Paris.

The UK still uses the pound. Norway refuses to join, but still pays tons in EU taxes. I believe there are now more people living in EU nations than live in the US.

Hardly, the Urstromtaler currency is more like a barter system. They can't be converted to the Euro like the Chiemgauers. If the barter system is widely accepted by society, it should work fine.

There's only about 90,000 Chiemgauers currently in circulation. They generate fees and they expire. Sorta sound like gift cards.

I doubt these currencies even cause a slight variance at the local central banks. Percentage of GDP and what not...

Of course, I wouldn't want to be the last one holding any alternate currency.

Nothing beats that good old fashioned East German pride :rolleyes:


I there a back waxing voucher for their retired female olympic swimmers?

Nothing beats that good old fashioned East German pride :rolleyes:

The biggest problem as I see it is that there are huge economic disparities across the EU. Romania has an average income that is one twentieth (http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/eco_gro_nat_inc_percap-gross-national-income-per-capita) of what it is here in Norway (and even though we are not part of the EU, we are sort of part of it-- and we receive Romanian beggars). On the other hand, Spain is no longer a cheap tourist destination-- almost has prices as high as London or Paris.

The UK still uses the pound. Norway refuses to join, but still pays tons in EU taxes. I believe there are now more people living in EU nations than live in the US.

You are right about Spain. I just moved here (Valencia) from Hamburg and was suprised to discover that most things were cheaper in Germany.