Obama open to the elimination of penny

[Dyakovo]

Especially with all of the Environmentalism going on these days. It's much greener to be digital.

Recycled paper is greener than data accessed using power obtained from burned coal.

"Paper" money isn't printed on paper...

[Saiwania]

You might be right about it not being a fear... You aren't about denying it being irrational.

No, what is irrational to me is to rely on some plastic toy card to hold all your money instead of having actual bills to pay with. Nothing is more direct than cash besides barter. There is no paper trail unlike with electronic currency, which is what I suspect is why some people want to push for only electronic currency, so every transaction won't be private anymore.

[Minoriteeburg]

^This.

I am, which is why I don't have a credit card.

I'm not...

Well I am good with my actual money. I don't like the idea of having a card that I can spend on what I like and pay it later. I have gotten really good at controlling my spending (It used to be awful), so I don't want to risk ruining all of my hard work by getting a credit card.

[Sibirsky]

Says you, but I still use paper money. Explain why there is still newspapers, TV guides, notebook paper, receipts, letters, etc. and why that hasn't all gone away yet? I don't dispute that electronic forms of transaction is an option, but what I don't agree with is your postulation that paper will disappear entirely. Can you prove that everyone has access to internet service and electricity?

Newspaper sales are declining: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2013/jan/16/smithsgroup-newspapers

TV Guides sales drop: http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/6330921/tv-listings-sales-drop-after-prices-increase

Notebook paper? What the fuck are you talking about? That's a commodity, not a service.

Receipts are the record of a transaction, and most electronic sales go to *drum roll* your E-Mail. You can also request a receipt be e-mailed to you from an increasing number of stores.

Letters? Really? You haven't read the newspapers you claim to defend then. They cut off Saturday service because the CFO of USPS said, and I quote, "E-Mail is so convenient."

It sounds like you are responding to someone who is stuck in the 20th century.

Not currency related, but we are going to be able to print human organs for transplants withing 2 decades or so. Less cash in circulation is technological progress.

[Minoriteeburg]

You might be right about it not being a fear... You aren't about denying it being irrational.

No, what is irrational to me is to rely on some plastic toy card to hold all your money instead of having actual bills to pay with. Nothing is more direct than cash besides barter. There is no paper trail unlike with electronic currency, which is what I suspect is why some people want to push for only electronic currency, so every transaction won't be private anymore.

There is always a trail with electronic transfer, you just don't know about it.

[Natair]

Recycled paper is greener than data accessed using power obtained from burned coal.

"Paper" money isn't printed on paper...

It's a special kind of paper, actually.

[Manahakatouki]

Do it. I'm content with the choice to get rid of pennies here in Canada...

Other than everything rounding up, lots of crap gets fixed this way, I find...

That and I don't have to carry around a coin purse for pennies anymore...

Now it's a fashion statement...

[Northwest Slobovia]

Paper money is on the way out, not the way up.

Says you, but I still use paper money. Explain why there is still newspapers, TV guides, notebook paper, receipts, letters, etc. and why that hasn't all gone away yet? I don't dispute that electronic forms of transaction is an option, but what I don't agree with is your postulation that paper will disappear entirely. Can you prove that everyone has access to internet service and electricity?

They don't, but so what? Not everybody is literate either nor can everybody see, but neither one of those makes the written word a bad idea. In a large, modern society, the lowest common denominator is very low. That shouldn't hold the rest of us back.

[Dyakovo]

You might be right about it not being a fear... You aren't about denying it being irrational.

No, what is irrational to me is to rely on some plastic toy card to hold all your money instead of having actual bills to pay with. Nothing is more direct than cash besides barter. There is no paper trail unlike with electronic currency, which is what I suspect is why some people want to push for only electronic currency, so every transaction won't be private anymore.

Paying with a debit card works the same as paying with cash. As to the rest, I really don't care if the gub'ment can look up what I'm purchasing.

[Great Nepal]

You might be right about it not being a fear... You aren't about denying it being irrational.

No, what is irrational to me is to rely on some plastic toy card to hold all your money instead of having actual bills to pay with. Nothing is more direct than cash besides barter.

As I said, the paper is not worth anything either. Its just toy paper that is signed by some guy who says he will pay up and has metal in vault.

There is no paper trail unlike with electronic currency, which is what I suspect is why some people want to push for only electronic currency, so every transaction won't be private anymore.

Newsflash: people keep record of trade even if you pay with autographed paper toy.

[Eastfield Lodge]

"Paper" money isn't printed on paper...

It's a special kind of paper, actually.

Not sure what happens in America, but here in Britain, all old notes are incinerated.

[Minoriteeburg]

No, what is irrational to me is to rely on some plastic toy card to hold all your money instead of having actual bills to pay with. Nothing is more direct than cash besides barter. There is no paper trail unlike with electronic currency, which is what I suspect is why some people want to push for only electronic currency, so every transaction won't be private anymore.

Paying with a debit card works the same as paying with cash. As to the rest, I really don't care if the gub'ment can look up what I'm purchasing.

I never understood the uproar over the gov't looking up what you buy. As long as you have nothing to hide, why should you care?

[Dyakovo]

It's a special kind of paper, actually.

Not sure what happens in America, but here in Britain, all old notes are incinerated.

The same.

[Minoriteeburg]

It's a special kind of paper, actually.

Not sure what happens in America, but here in Britain, all old notes are incinerated.

I think we break them down and recycle them, but I cannot remember.


*edit* ah we incinerate them too. Did not know that.

[Conscentia]

Thing is, I'm all in favour of abolishing notes. To me, cards & coins would be ideal.

Why coins? They are more expensive to produce than paper cash. And are worth less as legal tender. And weight more.

They're compact, and as for weight - Aluminium coins weigh mere grams. Old Polish Grosz coins, made during the "communist"-era from Aluminium, float on water. Coins also last. I have a coin from Tsarist Russia, and one can still read most of the detail & all of the lettering.

Floating Grosz coins

[Tekania]

Also voicing your opinion will go up to at least a nickel as well, since you can no longer do two cents.

The price for your thoughts will have to increase to a nickel as well.

Thanks Obama.

On a positive note, no one will be in for a pound anymore.

[YellowApple]

I'm not...

Well I am good with my actual money. I don't like the idea of having a card that I can spend on what I like and pay it later. I have gotten really good at controlling my spending (It used to be awful), so I don't want to risk ruining all of my hard work by getting a credit card.

A debit card sounds like it would be more up your alley.

Paying with a debit card works the same as paying with cash. As to the rest, I really don't care if the gub'ment can look up what I'm purchasing.

I never understood the uproar over the gov't looking up what you buy. As long as you have nothing to hide, why should you care?

I think it has to do with privacy or some such.

[Dyakovo]

Paying with a debit card works the same as paying with cash. As to the rest, I really don't care if the gub'ment can look up what I'm purchasing.

I never understood the uproar over the gov't looking up what you buy. As long as you have nothing to hide, why should you care?

Nor I...

[Northwest Slobovia]

It's a special kind of paper, actually.

Not sure what happens in America, but here in Britain, all old notes are incinerated.

Shredded. I have a little bag of shredded $20s I got from the Philly Fed.

[Natair]

Not sure what happens in America, but here in Britain, all old notes are incinerated.

The same.

Nope. We throw it into a giant vat of water until it turns into paper mache, then let it dry some, mix it with other recycled paper, and eventually end up turning it into toilet paper.

/joke

[Great Nepal]

Not sure what happens in America, but here in Britain, all old notes are incinerated.

Shredded. I have a little bag of shredded $20s I got from the Philly Fed.

I dont get why nations destroy old notes... Just make them out of plastic (which is better than paper) and use them forever.

[Northwest Slobovia]

I never understood the uproar over the gov't looking up what you buy. As long as you have nothing to hide, why should you care?

Nor I...

"Please bend and spread for your anal patriotism check, citizen. Whassa matter, you hiding something in there?"

[Minoriteeburg]

Well I am good with my actual money. I don't like the idea of having a card that I can spend on what I like and pay it later. I have gotten really good at controlling my spending (It used to be awful), so I don't want to risk ruining all of my hard work by getting a credit card.

A debit card sounds like it would be more up your alley.

That is what I do. And I constantly keep track of my purchases and balance. It is how I got better with my spending.

I never understood the uproar over the gov't looking up what you buy. As long as you have nothing to hide, why should you care?

I think it has to do with privacy or some such.

It's not like the government spends their time looking up everyone's purchases and transactions. I mean they can, and sometimes do, but not often.

[Sibirsky]

No, what is irrational to me is to rely on some plastic toy card to hold all your money instead of having actual bills to pay with. Nothing is more direct than cash besides barter. There is no paper trail unlike with electronic currency, which is what I suspect is why some people want to push for only electronic currency, so every transaction won't be private anymore.

Paying with a debit card works the same as paying with cash. As to the rest, I really don't care if the gub'ment can look up what I'm purchasing.

I do, but that is a separate issue. Like I previously said, me getting paid and me paying for something... is probably 90% digital.

[AiliailiA]

"Paper" money isn't printed on paper...

It's a special kind of paper, actually.

Except in Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Romania, Samoa, Singapore, the Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and Zambia.

Where the banknotes are made of plastic.