The Power of One vs. The Man

Now that my Sacagawea dollar stash has disappeared I have been trying to get my hands on some of the new dollars. However, in my two trips to Wells Fargo I've come up empty. They seem to have "sold out." I wish I could say that this means that they are taking off like I hoped, but I suspect that these dollars are sitting in various collections out of circulation.

However, there are many that have taken up the same burden as I. In this article on slate.com (previously linked to by Peter at Pete the Elder), the author seems to have picked up on all of the same arguments that I've put forth about the golden dollars. He even goes as far to suggest that the government takes the paper dollar out of circulation. Bonanos writes:

But back to dollar bills: Why keep producing them? The Bureau of Engraving and Printing pumps out 3.4 billion fresh singles every year. Pressure from bill partisans at the BEP even kneecapped the Sacagawea ad campaign. According to the GAO, "an informal Treasury restriction" prohibited the Mint from suggesting that a coin was superior to a bill—it could say only that a coin was also available. One TV spot showcasing a frustrating vending-machine moment (vvmp-vvvvmp, vvmp-vvvvmp) was scotched, after a combative meeting at the Treasury, on the grounds that it "negatively portrayed the dollar bill."

I can't believe that "special interests" are inhibiting the growth of the dollar coin. Whores!

I'm hoping that people really start to pick up on this movement, especially seeing how we are clearly going to continue wasting billions in Iraq. Bonanos

The Power of One continues

The new dollar coins have been released. I am not quite out of the Sacagawea versions, but I will head to the bank tomorrow to grab a stash of the new dollar coins. I am a little concerned that my quest will be vanquished by the people at Wells Fargo again. This came up again since my buddy Peter (who I will call Conservative Peter to distinguish him from the more liberal Pete at Life Outside the Rat Race) brought it up in his blog. For once, Conservative Peter and I are in agreement - there needs to be a switch to the dollar coin. I highly suggest that you go out and pick up a few. In return, I will double my efforts to spread the use of these coins.

Things to be happy about today

1. The Democrats took the House
2. The Democrats probably got the Senate
3. Donald Rumsfeld resigned
4. Beer is widely available at local convenience and grocery stores
5. Friday is a holiday
6. Thanksgiving is coming soon
7. Liverpool v. Arsenal Sunday = breakfast at Lucky's (and a 3-1 victory for the Reds)
8. although it was hotter than shit today, winter weather is coming
9. only 1 more wedding to go
10. November 25th visit to the meerkats

Places that accepted my Sacagawea dollar: Starbucks, soda machine at school

The Power of One...Part 2

It turns out that my greatest challenge in bringing back the golden dollar is getting my hands on golden dollars. Yesterday I went to the bank to get my first big supply. I asked a guy at a desk if they had golden dollars. He said that they should and asked if it was for a gift. I told him yes. I then presented the teller with a withdrawal slip for $90 and told him that I needed $40 in quarters (laundry money) and $50 in golden dollars. He said he wasn't sure if he had that many and also asked why. This time I said that it was for my wife, who likes to use them for parking at Cal State L.A. (which is true by the way). I guess he also attends CSULA and is getting a teaching credential. I told him that the parking pass machine takes golden dollars and that this worked better than bills because the machines rejected nearly all of the bills. I think at this point I had won him over to the cause. I had previously won my wife over to the cause because of the convenience of using the dollar coin to get her parking pass. I got my quarters, a $25 roll of dollar coins (which actually ended up having 11 Susan B. Anthony dollars in it), and 19 loose golden dollars.

Here's the tally after three days: 35 golden dollars ready to circulate, two converts to the cause.

The Power of One

History is often defined by the works of individuals. Martin Luther's 95 theses, Gutenberg's printing press, Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence, Gandhi's fight for Indian independence, Martin Luther King and civil rights. Today, announce my attempt to change history.

Just to be sure, I am not putting myself at the same level as the gentlemen listed above. However, I will be taking risks. I may be rejected, cast-off, or made a pariah. People will think that I am weird or a leftist hippie. However, for my cause, I am willing to take these risks.

My cause? The Sacagawea dollar. I have been a fan of this currency since its entry into circulation and was disappointed in its failure. Not only would the widespread use of the dollar coin revolutionize the vending machine industry, but according to the Government Accountability Office, it would potentially save the country $500 million because they last longer than bills and would not need replacement as often.

Therefore, as of November 1, if all goes according to plan, I will no longer be using $1 bills, but the Sacagawea dollar instead. Yes, I anticipate great challenges and a few setbacks. For example:

1. Actually getting enough golden dollars to use
2. replenishing my supply
3. the looks people give me when I use them
4. the extra weight in my pockets
5. the possibility of people not accepting them (which would be illegal by the way)

In any case, that's my plan. If you don't like it, I would suggest that you avoid asking me to borrow a dollar after November 1.