Paper currency is dirty and is a major transmitter of disease as it goes from unwashed hand to unwashed hand. It is easily lost and stolen, and can be easily destroyed by getting wet or burned.

It physically wears out in a short time and is costly and troublesome to replace. So why do we still use the filthy stuff in the electronic age?

When given a choice, people find credit cards, debit cards and bank account electronic payments more convenient than cash. In many parts of the world, payments can be made from cellphone to cellphone, with the phone companies serving many of the functions of traditional banks. Money can be stored and transmitted from and to almost any form of computer.

Some 15 years ago, I wrote a book forecasting the demise of paper currency. I expected paper currency to gradually disappear like paper checks have. However, I was wrong. Rather than disappearing, the demand for paper currency is rising faster than inflation or population, albeit not by much, but the total quantity of paper U.S. dollars in circulation is roughly double what it was a dozen years ago. The question is: Why?

Hillary Clinton has laid out her game plan for winning back the White House for herself and her husband next year. Let's hope Republicans are paying attention.

Seeing as Clinton won't have the youthful exuberance that propelled Obama to his unlikely double victory, she plans to build a whole new electorate out of people who didn't vote for Obama.

That was the gist of her speech in Houston last week (6/04), which her friends at MSNBC called a "far-reaching vision for expanding access to the ballot box."

Who are the new voters to whom Clinton wants to give "access to the ballot box"? They include felons and noncitizens, along with anyone who can't prove identity, citizenship or residence within the voting precinct.

Though Clinton gave lip service to the notion that "every citizen" should vote, her Democrat allies are in court trying to stop every reasonable means of verifying a voter's citizenship.

That's no surprise because, according to a recent Rasmussen survey (5/29), "Most Democrats Think Illegal Immigrants Should Vote."  Of course they do, for that's Hillary's plan to cheat her way into the White House.

When we approach any problem, how we approach it begins with an idea, a belief, a story about what that problem is, and what needs to be done about it.

To considerable extent, we can choose the fundamental belief or premise from which we approach any problem... and how we frame a problem can be the very key to success or failure.

Currently, the widely accepted premise is that psychological problems - depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), addictions et al - are abnormal phenomena.

They don't belong here. They were brought to us by some unfortunate circumstances - an unhappy childhood, a personal weakness, a society that's sick. They're polluting the system, like a harmful bacteria or virus, and we want all trace of them eliminated immediately.

What if that premise is wrong?

I've been working with people as a teacher, a marriage and family therapist, and a life coach for 35 years now. I started with that premise of problems as aberrations - the "disease model" of psychology. I don't buy it anymore.

Let's explore a different premise, and see where it takes us.  The explorations starts with asking certain questions.

This is a first.  An opportunity for an extraordinary adventure has just arisen.  Ordinarily, I'd tell you all about it.  But I can't - that's what makes this a Mystery Adventure.

I can tell you the dates:  November 7 to 19.  That's leaving the US and return, door-to-door.  I can tell you the cost:  $6,650.  That's everything except international airfare.

But I can't tell you where.  Except to say that when you get back, it will blow your every friend's mind.  "You went where!?" they'll all ask in jaw-dropping amazement.

I can't tell you the itinerary.  Except to say that once you see the pictures, you will be astounded that these places exist.

I can tell you that we'll be safe and secure.  I can tell you that there is now a window of opportunity during which the welcome mat has been laid down for us.  This is why we must carpe diem, seize the day and opportunity, for who knows when it might arise again.

Thus far, I have only told a few friends about this who have traveled with me often before.  They understand why I cannot make this public.  Yet, being TTPers themselves, they have suggested that I tell all TTPers about it, however elliptically.

This is because I have three spaces left and I'm running out of time.  There are no special requirements, as the Mystery Adventure is not physically rigorous, you only need normal good health. There is no camping -- we'll stay in the best hotels and dine in the best restaurants in the country.  It is for men and women, couples and singles.  

This is an adventure of thousands of years of culture and history, and as timely as current events get.  It is one of breathtaking natural beauty and eye-opening wonder at how friendly and pro-American people on the street are.  It is an experience you will never ever forget.

Here's the deal.  I'll send you a Powerpoint PDF of the Mystery Adventure - it's a big 5.8MB file due to the photos - if you personally request it and provide your TTP bonafides.  Like how long you've been a TTPer and why.  Frankly, I have to be very sure of who I bring with me.

Let me know at jack@tothepointnews.com or Miko at miko@tothepointnews.com.

Please, though, don't make the request unless you're sure you can make the dates - November 7-19 - and the cost -- $6,650.  Yet if you can handle both, better let me know right now.  There's no time to spare.