| Author |
 Replies: 23 / Views: 3,585 |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2269 Posts |
I was inspired to write a letter to my senator regarding the elimination of the dollar bill. I thought by posting my letter, then maybe all of us who feel strongly about this topic might do the same. Below is the letter I wrote to my senator. Dear Senator Menendez, This is the first time I ever wrote a letter to an elected official. I was inspired to write this letter by listening to the many comments from President Obama about getting involved in your government. I thought long and hard about bringing up the topic of eliminating the dollar bill. I know that as a country we are used to having a dollar bill circulate along side a dollar coin, but the dollar bill has outlived its usefullness. As a supporter of a greener America, I cannot bring myself to using a dollar bill which is less environmentally sound when compared to a dollar coin. Today I read an article in Coin World Magazine online, that talked about having 12 years worth of dollar coins sitting in a federal vault. It seems very wasteful when you compare how much we are spending to produce a dollar bill. A dollar coin costs the government far less to produce and will save the taxpayers money. I believe that you can help make a difference by bringing this issue to a public forum. By eliminating the dollar bill in favor of a greener and less expensive dollar coin, we as a society can use the money saved to fund projects for the needy, college assistance programs, or we can use it for tax relief. I thank you, Senator Menendez and your office for taking the time to read my letter. Sincerely, Christopher Tamson |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
625 Posts |
How is a coin "greener"? And any savings by switching I can guarantee you wont go toward tax relief, just more entitlement spending. Sorry not trying to flame you, just pointing these out.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
2269 Posts |
Since a dollar coin can circulate for approx. 22 years without having to be replaced, it lasts far longer than the 18 months a dollar bill can last.
I know that getting a response to my letter might be a little far fetched, but it takes one person to inspire others about change. My intentions are noble.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1082 Posts |
You are 100% right, but you should explain this to the Senator.
Any elected official that can use something one of his constituents tells him to make brownie points with the electorate and gain himself credibility will be more than willing to do so. However, let's understand something here...just because someone is elected, it doesn't automatically mean that they are intelligent (no slight intended to Senator Menendez), and amazingly, sometimes it turns out that the higher the office, the less intelligent they really are. "Make no mistake", sometimes they need to have the blanks filled in for them.
Always give your elected officials as much information as you can.
Great letter, and a great idea. Props for you for getting involved.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
This might be a bit easier of a task now that the senior Senator from Massachusetts is gone. Crane Paper Co. was a pet of his and he would rebuff any attempts to reduce their paper sales to the BEP. He even went so far as to legislatively rig bidding competitions in favor of Crane so no other paper producer could get in on the BEP contracts.
|
|
Valued Member
Canada
464 Posts |
Good for you. I hope more people speak up to their elected officials.
|
|
Moderator
 United States
187702 Posts |
Great job!  Now that Bio said what was on my mind, I do not have to.  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
812 Posts |
Eliminating the paper dollar is an excellent idea, and way overdue.
However, an amazing number of voters fear change of any sort. I suspect the dollar bill will be here for a long time, in spite of how many tax dollars it wastes.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1418 Posts |
I hope the bill stays I see no reason to let it go. It is a piece of our history, and the design has stayed the same for a very long time. It is one of the most recognizable bills.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
365 Posts |
Very nice! I'm with you on this one Spider. I'd love to see this happen soon and with bipartisan support. It makes sense and is not a matter of left or right.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1082 Posts |
Quote:
I see no reason to let it go. It is a piece of our history Bad argument. At the risk of appearing facetious, slavery was a part of your history, too. Should it not have been abolished? It's wonderful to have cherished institutions and things in your society, but unfortunately, when they no longer make sense, they have to be phased out and become a part of history. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
625 Posts |
Quote:
It's wonderful to have cherished institutions and things in your society, but unfortunately, when they no longer make sense, they have to be phased out and become a part of history. A good example of this is the US Constitution. A few more years and we will have it completely phased out and part of history. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1418 Posts |
WpgLwr, I see no reason why the dollar coin makes more sense than the bill. Would you rather have 20 coins or bills in your pocket? That is why the bill just makes sense.
|
|
Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Personally, I would never have twenty bills in my pocket. I tend to use the lowest denominations first, that includes my pocket change (after I have searched it, of course).  The fact that the Canadians here have no problem with it should speak volumes (I just wish a few more Canadians would comment). If it were a real problem, having pockets weighed down with dollar coins, I would think that a multitude of our northern neighbours would have warned us of the dangers by now. I think the real problem is admitting that a dollar just does not have the power it used to. Sad, but true. I would probably miss the dollar note at first, but I would get used to it. |
|
Valued Member
United States
297 Posts |
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:
Would you rather have 20 coins or bills in your pocket? Why would you have 20 coins in your pocket? There is never any reason to receive more than one in change. You stop making dollar bills they WILL increase to production of twos. So any time you would get more than one in change you would get twos. If you are carrying more than one it is easy to include any "extras" in making your next purchase and you are back down to one or less again. |
| |
Replies: 23 / Views: 3,585 |
Posted 12/21/2009 3:53 pm
