Reagan on the $10?

[Jophiel]

Effort to put Reagan on the $10 bill

I'm not going to debate if the Gipper should be on a bill or coin so let's just pretend he's going to be. Which bill or coin do you think would be best to change? Keep in mind that we're not making any new denominations, so he can't go on the $30.

Who We Currently Have
$1 - George Washington
$2 - Thomas Jefferson (yes, these still circulate)
$5 - Abraham Lincoln
$10 - Alexander Hamilton
$20 - Andrew Jackson
$50 - Ulysses S. Grant
$100 - Benjamin Franklin

1¢ - Abraham Lincoln
5¢ - Thomas Jefferson
10¢ - Franklin D. Roosevelt
25¢ - George Washington
50¢ - John F. Kennedy
100¢ - Sacajawea

Retired Denominations
$500 - William McKinley
$1,000 - Grover Cleveland
$5,000 - James Madison
$10,000 - Salmon P. Chase
$100,000 - Woodrow Wilson.

There's tons of retired coins, two of the most recent are the Eisenhower dollar and Susan B. Anthony dollar.

Any other Presidents or major Americans you think should get shuffled around?

[World Eater]

Put him on the $500 and be done with this stupidity.

[World Eater]

Originally Posted by World Eater

Put him on the $500 and be done with this stupidity.

*The Reagan on the $10 stupidity, not your thread.

[Jophiel]

I figured, but thanks

[Maus Magill]

Reagan in the dime?
No. He had too much respect and graditude to FDR to replace him. Also, the man's widow doesn't even support the idea.

Reagan on the $10?
No. If it weren't for Hamilton, there wouldn't even be a $10 bill.

If we were to put Reagan on a bill, I would support replacing Grant on the $50. Why not replace the head of a corrupt administration with the head of a slightly ledd corrupt administration?

[The Great Sun Jester]

Bury the man. Put is face in some history books. Let the Reagans get on with their lives. If you want a new face on some money, look to someone who was responsible for orchestrating positive US history. Not someone who escalated one of the most ridiculous non-wars in history. Not someone who just simply refused to speak to his chief adversary for...what...his entire first term?

Put a statesman on the money. Doesn't have to be a president (Franklin, Anthony, Sacajawea). Just someone who's done something really REALLY good. Like Bill Gates.

[World Eater]

Originally Posted by Inigo Montoya

Just someone who's done something really REALLY good. Like Bill Gates.

Man run, run for the hills, now!

[cmason32]

When conservatives tried to put him on the dime last year, Nancy spoke out against it. I wonder whether she still opposes it, and whether conservatives will proceed if it remains against her wishes.

[SmackFu]

Why is Andrew Jackson on the $20 anyways? I think Hamilton deserves a bill more than he does.

[BobLibDem]

Reagan on the $10. Absolutely unbelievable the depths to which the Reagan apologists will descend.

But I think some updating is in order.

$20: What on earth did Andy Jackson do to warrant being on currency? My nominee: Martin Luther King

$50: US Grant: Good soldier, lousy president. Off with him. Replace him with a truly underrated patriot: John Adams.

$100: Really, what did Ben Franklin actually do? He wasn't terribly active or effective at the Continental Congress. If you read McCullough's bio of John Adams, you really see he was a lazy and devious little snot while serving as ambassador to France. Give this one to Jefferson and scrap the $2 bill.

[RandomLetters]

Put Reagan on the $20. Get rid of that scum-bag, good for nothing, Jackson.

(And yes, I do have Cherokee ancestors.)

[Evil One]

I don't know the history, but my guess is that Jackson was still prominent in memory when the 20 was created for general circulation. I wouldn't have a problem with replacing Jackson with Reagan. I think Hamilton was much more of a "founding father" and deserves to stay where he is.

[Tigers2B1]

Lincoln and Washington both already have their mugs on coins and paper. So, Reagan's handsome, square jawed bust can be placed on either the cent or the quarter - or the dollar or five dollar bill. Hamilton stays on the 10. Jackson, with his powerful mane, stays on the 20. Everybody wins!!

[kunilou]

There is only one solution. Reagan goes on the $1 coin.

Think of it. The dollar coin has never been popular since it was brought back in the 1960s. The Mint has tried different sizes, different faces and finally different colors. Nothing has worked.

So put Reagan on there. Conservatives will love it and consider it their patriotic job to put as many in circulation as possible. Liberals will hate it, and spend them to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Meantime, the government will quit having to produce so many dollar bills (thus fulfilling a Reagan wish to reduce the government's size), and since George Washington is already on the quarter, it's not like he's getting the short end of anything.

As for Sacajewea, let's put her on the main design for the first class stamp.

[The Great Sun Jester]

Originally Posted by kunilou

As for Sacajewea, let's put her on the main design for the first class stamp.

This is probably another thread, but how does she rate getting her mug on currency anyway? Since when do we honor Native Americans?

[Tigers2B1]

Originally Posted by Inigo Montoya

This is probably another thread, but how does she rate getting her mug on currency anyway? Since when do we honor Native Americans?

Since at least from the Buffalo nickel and Indian Head penny days. But you’re right – that’s for another thread.

[Crafter_Man]

Originally Posted by Evil One

think Hamilton was much more of a "founding father" and deserves to stay where he is.

IMO Hamilton was a scoundrel. I'd rather have Porky the Pig on the $10 than Hamilton...

[The Great Sun Jester]

Originally Posted by Tigers2B1

Since at least from the Buffalo nickel and Indian Head penny days. But you’re right – that’s for another thread.

[Crafter_Man]

Originally Posted by BobLibDem

Really, what did Ben Franklin actually do?

Well, he impregnated a lot of women. So surely he deserves some kind of "notable achievement" award...

[stuyguy]

Well, there is an intriguing convergence of events a-brewing here!

Let me explain. The Republicans, who are behind the pro-Reagan measure, are having their convention here in NYC. Well, this just so happens to be the bicentennial of the famous Hamilton-Burr duel, and Alexander Hamilton is regarded by NYers as the city's greatest colonial-era champion. (As a staunch Federalist he is also considered the founding spirit of the Republican Party, which makes the replacement proposal all the more bizarre.) To mark the milestone -- and capture some of the convention traffic -- the New-York Historical Society is planning a unprecedented mega-exhibit around Hamilton's considerable contributions to our city and nation! I wonder if the Reaganites will be swayed by the exhibit. Or maybe they'll snub it altogether.

In any case, much as I like RR, he does not deserve to be on our currency, especially if it means giving Hamilton the boot.

BTW, I'm so delighted to see all the anti-Jacksonians! I always thought AJ was a brutish pig, unworthy of all the hero-worship he seemed to attract in the middle of the 20th century. Thank goodness it seems to be fading. If anyone's got to go, it's him. (Though it kills me to admit, he is a dashing devil on the twenty!)

[stuyguy]

Originally Posted by Crafter_Man

IMO Hamilton was a scoundrel. I'd rather have Porky the Pig on the $10 than Hamilton...

Crafter, could you explain your disdain for AH more fully?

[Tuckerfan]

How about we stick Ronnie on the $2, dump Andy off the $20 and replace him with Walt Whitman?

[Bippy the Beardless]

Can we put Bush on $0 bill, that would sum him up nicely?

[Chefguy]

The only problem with putting Reagan on a $10 bill is that soon afterward it will only be worth a fraction of its former value, and will eventually need to be accompanied by a $20 bill in order to be worth the original $10.

[Master Wang-Ka]

Mm-hm. They also introduced a notion in Congress to have Ronnie added to Mount Rushmore.

Precisely WHAT did the man do that allovasudden has the Neocons wanting his mug all over the place? Besides die, that is.

[Tuckerfan]

Originally Posted by Master Wang-Ka

Mm-hm. They also introduced a notion in Congress to have Ronnie added to Mount Rushmore.

Precisely WHAT did the man do that allovasudden has the Neocons wanting his mug all over the place? Besides die, that is.

Actually, I remember hearing them wanting to place Ronnie on Rushmore back in the 80s, a noted geologist pointed out that the rockface wouldn't be able to withstand the necessary work to add any face to the mountain, and it would bring the whole side of the mountain down, thus ruining the existing artwork.

[Giraffe]

Originally Posted by stuyguy

Crafter, could you explain your disdain for AH more fully?

Or, barring that, your reverance for Porky Pig?

[LouisB]

Create a $3.00 bill.

Make sure everyone knows it is really worth only $0.35.

Put the worthless POS's picture on that.

Put a picture of Mickey Damn Mouse on the other side.

[USCDiver]

Put his face on the $100,000 bill and watch as it eventually trickles down to the $1 bill.

[ftg]

It is absolutely inconceivable that any of the current honorees would be for a second considered so low as to be replaced by an actor on a coin/bill. That would be just too darn insulting. All of the current honorees (of coins/bills still being made) have legions of fans. They would be POed big time.

So, go with a new denomination. That should stall things until Rational Thought comes back into vogue. (So I'm an optimist.)

[mhendo]

I think we should put Reagan on the penny, and then follow William Safire's advice.

Personally, i'd like to see Madison and/or Jefferson on a commonly-circulating piece of paper currency. In fact, i'd be quite happy for the Jefferson $2 bill to come into regualr circulation.

I completely agree with those who want to get rid of Grant. I can never look at a $50 bill without thinking of Henry Adams's opinion that Grant was a challenge to those who believed in evolution. From The Education of Henry Adams:

That, two thousand years after Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, a man like Grant should be called--and should actually and truly be--the highest product of the most advanced evolution, made evolution ludicrous. One must be as commonplace as Grant's own commonplaces to maintain such an absurdity. The progress of evolution from President Washington to President Grant, was alone evidence enough to upset Darwin.

[mhendo]

Originally Posted by LouisB

Create a $3.00 bill.

Make sure everyone knows it is really worth only $0.35.

Put the worthless POS's picture on that.

Put a picture of Mickey Damn Mouse on the other side.

Tell us how you really feel!

[SmackFu]

Originally Posted by stuyguy

To mark the milestone -- and capture some of the convention traffic -- the New-York Historical Society is planning a unprecedented mega-exhibit around Hamilton's considerable contributions to our city and nation!

I bet they're ticked that the actual duel was in Weehawken... NJ!

[Jonathan Chance]

Put me in the 'replace Jackson' camp.

Why the hell we keep a homicidal psychopath on a piece of currency is beyond me. If it takes Reagan to move him then so be it.

And the Rushmore thing is really just Grover Norquist being a freak again (something he excels at). I caught an interview with him earlier where he (sorta tongue in cheek) claimed that Hamilton should be replaced because Hamilton was a 'bad shot'. Evidently Norquist digs the guns and thinks Hamilton should have been able to kill Burr.

Freak, I tell you. He's a freak!

[carnivorousplant]

Originally Posted by RandomLetters

Get rid of that scum-bag, good for nothing, Jackson.

I agree with the last part.

[kanicbird]

$1 - George Washington
$2 - Thomas Jefferson (yes, these still circulate)
$5 - Abraham Lincoln
$10 - Alexander Hamilton
$20 - Andrew Jackson
$50 - Ulysses S. Grant
$100 - Benjamin Franklin

1¢ - Abraham Lincoln
5¢ - Thomas Jefferson
10¢ - Franklin D. Roosevelt
25¢ - George Washington
50¢ - John F. Kennedy
100¢ - Sacajawea

The song "one of these things are not like the other, one of these things just doesn't belong" run through my head, and make a perfect opening for R. Reagan.

[stuyguy]

Originally Posted by SmackFu

I bet they're ticked that the actual duel was in Weehawken... NJ!

Funny. The highlight of the exhibit will probably be the actual dueling pistols which have been locked away in the vaults of Chase Manhattan Bank for decades. (You will recall that both Hamilton & Burr founded banks, the Bank of NY and today's Chase Manhattan respectively. Both still exist. Burr founded Chase under the guise of starting a water-supply company for thirsty Manhattan. The charter allowed the company to, in essence, operate as a bank -- Burr's real objective. They did actually lay some water pipes, it should be said.) Why does Chase have both guns you may wonder. Well, they both belonged to Burr. It was customary for the challenger to supply the weapons for a duel.

The city of Weehawken, I am told, is planning to re-enact the duel (perhaps with the aid of the N-YHS). That should be fun.

[carnivorousplant]

Originally Posted by Tuckerfan

it would bring the whole side of the mountain down

It would trickle down?

[carnivorousplant]

Originally Posted by stuyguy

Chase Manhattan respectively.

I owe credit card debt to Aaron Burr?
Man, that sucks.

[Tigers2B1]

Originally Posted by carnivorousplant

It would trickle down?

OK than- they don’t have to add a face ---- all they have to do is chisel off Teddy’s glasses and moustache --- the result should look like Reagan. Put Teddy on the 10 dollar bill.

[Captain Amazing]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Chance

Why the hell we keep a homicidal psychopath on a piece of currency is beyond me. If it takes Reagan to move him then so be it.

Because he vetoed the Bank of the United States, thereby decentralizing monetary control in this country and leading to the creation of state and private banks.

[Marley23]

Originally Posted by kanicbird

100¢ - Sacajawea

The song "one of these things are not like the other, one of these things just doesn't belong" run through my head, and make a perfect opening for R. Reagan.

It'd be dubious praise at best to put the man on a coin nobody uses, so I don't think that'll happen. (Just like it'd be strange to name an airport after him... oh wait.)

I think the proposition mentioned at the end of the CNN piece - put him on half the dimes - is probably the most likely for reasons they explain. I think it's way over the top, but then again I'm not shamelessly kissing up to a constituency.

[Tuckerfan]

Originally Posted by carnivorousplant

It would trickle down?

I don't know, but I guess I whooshed everybody with why I suggested putting Reagan on the $2 bill. It is, after all, the bill everyone forgets is in circulation, so who better than to put on it, but a man who forgot everyone? (It gets really ugly if you think about it.)

[RickJay]

If I may speak as an outsider,

1. Logically the first people you should remove from currency are the ones who are currently on TWO items of currency, and

2. Reagan shouldn't go on until more deserving people do.

It makes no sense to me for Washington to get the $1 and the quarter. There's a certain obvious logic to having him on the $1, so take the quarter from him and give it to King.

However, the U.S. really needs to dump the $1 bill and go with $1 coins. So in the ideal world, you'd dump Sacagawea - come on, what a silly choice that was - and move Washington to the $1 COIN, freeing up the $0.25 for the Reverend Doc.

If you then must put Reagan on something, drop Jackson from the $20 - he looks crazy, anyway - and give Reagan the $20.

[cookeze]

Reagan liked to tell this story:

"You know, a young man went into a grocery store and he had an orange in one hand and a bottle of vodka in the other, and he paid for the orange with food stamps and he took the change and paid for the vodka. That's what's wrong."

So I say we put his picture on the front of a $10 food stamp.

[Tuckerfan]

Originally Posted by cookeze

Reagan liked to tell this story:

"You know, a young man went into a grocery store and he had an orange in one hand and a bottle of vodka in the other, and he paid for the orange with food stamps and he took the change and paid for the vodka. That's what's wrong."

So I say we put his picture on the front of a $10 food stamp.

Except, of course, most states have gone with a debit card system for food stamps now, so you'd have to put him on the card, and at least the ones around here have the Statue of Liberty and the American flag on them, and really, I think even Ronnie would be more than happy to give up his place for Lady Liberty.

[carnivorousplant]

Originally Posted by RickJay

take the quarter from him and give it to King.

Absolutely.

Originally Posted by RickJay

However, the U.S. really needs to dump the $1 bill and go with $1 coins.

No way. Too much big change I get during the day to carry in my pocket. Being male I use the automated checkout at Kroger. Buy a coke with a twenty and I have a pound of nineteen dollar coins to put in my pocket. My pants would fall down and all the women in the store would laugh themselves to death.
Not a good idea.

[pyrrthon1]

Put Reagan on the heads side of the penny and Bonzo on the tails.

[Marley23]

Originally Posted by RickJay

It makes no sense to me for Washington to get the $1 and the quarter. There's a certain obvious logic to having him on the $1, so take the quarter from him and give it to King.

Nice as it sounds, this would be tremendously controversial. I can't see it happening- who in Congress wants to be the guy who starts a fight over this?

[citrus x paradisi]

Few presidents deserve to be on the most-counterfeited bill more than Jackson. The past fifty years have had quite a bumper crop, but I think we ought to have a longer grace period before the deceased can haunt us through our wallets.