Yes this is getting way off topic. The only relevance is the discussion about Americans and our willing to (not) change, that point has been well made. We can counter the metric argument against change but don't really need to debate the money argument on this list, nor how long a paper bill lives in circulation or if we should keep the penny or not, or if any Americans will ever embrace a $1 coin (not till we unload a paper bill). I predict that in 20 years there will be very little paper money away, plastic and digital money is being too well accepted (hence the penny argument goes away). Heck you can buy Starbucks with your phone now. Besides this issue comes up on this list more often than it needs to. I'd suggest we move on. Sorry to take the wind out of everyone's money sails but the discussion is just cluttering my inbox.
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Harry Wyeth Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 5:51 PM To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:50984] Speaking of currency reform.... OK, this is somewhat off topic, but I didn't start it. Here is something I sent to friends, which speaks for itself. Sign on if you wish--I hope you will. I guess I am incorrect on rounding "up" of prices in Australia. I never noticed on way or the other. I have wondered about the practice in China. Anyone know? HARRY WYETH -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Modernize American coinage/currency Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2011 18:50:06 -0700 From: Harry Wyeth <[email protected]><mailto:[email protected]> To: undisclosed-recipients:; Friends This is a new project. MoveOn.org asked readers to come up with ideas for progressive change. The one below is mine. I have no idea how this progresses, but if you agree with it, I would appreciate your adding your "signature". This is an idea that comes up from time to time, and would indeed make life a bit simpler for everyone. During our recent trip to Australia, we noticed the lack of pennies and the automatic rounding up or down of prices at stores to the nearest nickel. Same thing happens in Europe, and nowhere are there one dollar bills, which wear out rapidly and have to be continually printed. It will be interesting to see if this can accumulate a real number of signatures. The message below is the "canned" one that is automatically prepared by MoveOn. Thanks. HARRY Hi, American coinage and currency needs to be up to standards of the rest of the developed world. We need to eliminate pennies and one dollar bills, saving millions in mint and printing costs. The United States is almost alone in bothering with such small change, and at great cost to taxpayers. So I created a petition to The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate and President Barack Obama, which says: "Stop the production of dollar bills and pennies, substituting only five dollar notes and above, and dollar coins and nickels, dimes, and quarters." Will you sign this petition? Click here: http://signon.org/sign/modernize-american-coinagecu?source=c.em.mt&r_by=417290 Thanks!
