penny

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Americans want to keep their money. Crazy right? Why would they want that? There are those in government who would like to do just that, by making the penny obsolete. Americans do not want the penny to go away. According to a Harris Interactive Poll(R) conducted in 2006, almost two-thirds of Americans across all income groups are opposed to abolishing the penny. Earlier this year(2012), Canada took the final steps in phasing out their one-cent coin from circulation, and initiate a system of rounding to the nearest nickel in cash transactions. This will save Canada millions for the economy. Those same savings will not translate to the U.S. by removing the penny. There are a great deal of number crunching statistics out there, both for and against this issue. Though it is true it cost more to make a penny then it is worth, the nickel cost even more. There can only be speculation from experts on what will happen in the business world if the rounding methods were to be enforced. The fear of a “rounding tax”, where most transactions would be rounded up or price increases, is very real. Legislators say the penny has become a nuisance, but if you ask the poor they would have a different opinion. Charities also rely on the penny for easy donations. While there are those that would like to see the penny era end, there is still a majority that believe the penny should remain, for both economic and sentimental reasons.
The U.S. Mint seems to agree, as production doesn't look to be ending anytime soon. In 2012 the U.S. Mint produced and distributed over six billion pennies, up over one billion from 2011. The current cost to produce one penny is 2.41 cents. The current cost for one nickel is 11.18 cents, the only other coi...

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...ill not part with nickels so easily. From the teachers and children raising money for homeless shelters and food banks, to larger organizations such as the Ronald McDonald house and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, penny donations are truly valuable.
So will we explaining to future generations the meaning behind phrases such as “my two cents”, “see a penny, pick it up...” and “cost a pretty penny?” The debate rages on, as do most issues at the higher levels of government. Lobbyists are geared up on both sides, and you can bet more money will be spent – and ironically over the smallest denomination of our money. Some legislators amy see this bad penny turn up for quite some time. Is is really such nuisance when you consider the savings and charitable benefits? I have a penny for your thoughts, despite how small a penny saved is a penny earned, it's just a fact.

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