Because it's important

USA Today summarizes the arguments against the penny.

When the half-penny was retired in 1857, it was worth about 1/18th of the average hourly wage of a common laborer. The equivalent fraction of today's minimum wage is about 28 cents. Paradoxically, few complained about the elimination of the half-penny in 1857, yet there is so much misguided concern about the loss of today's penny.

I think it needs to go, and radical that I am, I will argue that we should eliminate the nickel at the same time. Why? By going straight to the dime, we simply eliminate a decimal place.

Using the historical standard above, the nickel is still a negligible unit. Plus, they are just too freakishly large.

Comments

[Jeremiah]

I forgot to ask, are you Jewish or "of Jewish extraction"?

Because I'm concerned that you may be a self-hating Jew: Israel at long last is fighting back at its existential enemies, and ORINSF is pinching pennies! :)

[Matt S]

Ha! Actually, a lot of people assume I am Jewish but in fact I am of Lebanese descent. And half-WASP. But culturally I am an American more than anything -- no jingoism intended.

I am hoping to find some time to spell out Proxy War 101. Lebanon is paying for Syria's ugliness. Head over to MichaelTotten.com or proteinwisdom.com to see what I mean.

[Jeremiah]

Lebanon (or Loob-NAAN, as they say): a fascinating and tragic place. Have seen some movies, and read a few novels about it. I hear it's like California: you can be skiing in the morning, drive a few hours, and be on the beach in the evening. You been there?

Read Totten closely for the first time this weekend.