I think a coin made from aluminum would be a much better choice, provided it was alloyed with another metal, such as the "duraluminum" that was prevalant during the WWII. It is a very hard composition,and would be much better that the "self-destructing crap" used today to make the lowly cent. We took a big "hit", when the "copper cent" became junk!
Get rid of the dollar bill, yes. It doesn't buy what a post-depression cent did. GET RID of the toy dollars! After IKE, there hasn't been a "dollar" worthy of the name! Along that line, stop making the cent, and nickel. In stead, make the two smallest denominations
Two Cent, and
Three Cent. No worry about "rounding up, or down to the nrearest cent. Make the practice of the $X.xx, and 9/10. pricing, illegal!
Some one said the precious metals would 'go down the frain" along with the money. I disagree. When the dollar drops, the precious metals RISE! Gold, and silver is recognized world-wide, as the "coin-of-the-realm", and will always be. Even after the plastic money is gone, and the "electronic chip inserted", there will be those who will have silver and gold. If I am still around when this happens, then be assured, I will be out "prospecting for gold", (and silver). They, and the well-known trade, (ladies, please do not be offended,. It is not meant to be. Just "stating facts", will always be a part of our world, international borders notwithstanding.
My thoughts on the high cost of everything in the world, boils gown to the GREED of the negiciators at the barganing table. they want a 4-day work week, 8-hour days, and no fear of being fired for not producing the amount of effort for the wages they are receiving. There are few that will "put all their efforts" into the job they have, with the idea that the more they produce, and keep the costs of the product down, the more they "take-home".
Finally: Welfare. The "salvation" of many, who had a need for assistance, and were able to ask, and receive help. It is good. BUT, the bad part of it is that it should be a primary requisite, that any recipient, also be 'gainfully employed", in order to receice it. The employment, does not mean a skilled job, otherwise, there would be no need for welfare. ANY recipient should be "occupied" in some type of work, that they can do, safely, and for the normal 40 hour work-week. there are many types of work, that can be performed, under these conditons. It will give those who feel offended, or humiliated by having to ask for "charity, a sense of well-being, instead of guilt. I have been down that road. It isn't pleasant! It was a dire need to feed the kids, even after my coin collection(s) had been sold. some times One has to find work, and suffer the ire of having been told they are "over-qualified" for the job. Sure, they can do the work, and as well as any other employee, but the enployer can't say you are too old to hire, because that is discrimination! And a bold faced lie! That is why I haven't worked at my trade since '81. It is also the reason I went to Mexico to live. My "pension" was too small to even pay the rent, much less buy food for the family. My advantage was that my wife was a legally immigrated resident of this country, and we couldn live here, so Mexico gave me a second option. Her rights as a citizen, gave me the right to operate a business, in her name. So I opened a grocery store, and in spite of the restrictions placed on the price of the basic peoducts, I was able to make a living, and buy a few Mexican coins. Today, I still am below the poverty level, but because of the 20 years, which provides my pension, and Social Security, we are able to stay reasonably well, She having Kaiser-Permanente, and My having the VA. It could be worse. I could be homeless!
This seems to have strayed a bit from the topic, but indirectly, is still related, (remotely). It does have to do with the coins of the realm, which, without them, makes it pretty hard to make ends meet.
Like the cents of today, this is not worth much, but it is how I feel.
I know what inflation is. It is ugly for those who have no options. I was lucky. when inflation was 200%, and the dollar was 3000:1. I did benefit. Example: My house cost me $50,000.00 Pesos a month, or $120.00 USD/mo to rent. A year later, the rent was 100,000.00 pesos/mo., due to the inflation. It actually cost me LESS! The next year, same thing. later, due to family problems,(not mine, nor there, but here in the US), I sold the store,and we returned. So much for that.
Dick
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Posted 06/24/2008 12:32 pm
