Argumentative Essay On Pinch The Penny

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The Penny: A One-Cent Piece of History In 2014, the US Government spent over $130 million in order to make and distribute over eight billion pennies (“Should the US” 22). This, to former senator Jim Kolbe, is “government waste at its worst” (qtd. in “Pinch the Penny” 3). For the past thirty years, people have argued over whether the penny was worth keeping in circulation. Many people say that it costs the United States government too much to produce, while others say that it keeps the economy and keeps prices in check. Although the penny is an important piece of American history, eliminating the penny will save time, money, and the environment. Even though there are over one trillion pennies in circulation today, their face value along with …show more content…

This will save considerable amounts of government money: almost $40 million annually (Cavanaugh 70). Eliminating the penny will also save time in lines at grocery stores and will save the environment from pollution. In order to avoid these adverse effects, penny production must be either eliminated or lowered. Although many people have thought of a penny-recycling program to try to avoid these adverse effects, no ideas have been implemented. “Despite the fact that the US has recycled 21.8 million tons of metal in 2013, a recent year for which details are available, not a single penny is recycled, at least by the mint” (Cavanaugh 70). The fact is that, as forms of electronic payment such as credit cards or PayPal are becoming more popular, all forms of physical currency, not just the penny, are becoming obsolete. Some might even argue that the nickel or dime isn’t worth keeping in circulation, not to mention the penny. By eliminating the penny, the government will spare not only United States citizens, but also itself the trouble of dealing with the insignificant …show more content…

“Penny Reign: America’s Least Valuable Coin Endures.” Reason, Jan. 2011, p. 70+, Opposing Viewpoints in Context.
Fragale, James A. “In Praise of a Humble Coin.” Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2008, p. 20, Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Fund, John H. “Penny Wise.” [“Proposal to Abolish the Penny”]. American Spectator, vol. 39, no. 5, June 2006, pp. 46-47, EBSCOhost. “Pinch the Penny? Debating the Value of the Penny.” Current Events, a Weekly Reader publication, 29 Sept. 2006, p. 3, Opposing Viewpoints in Context.
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Sommer, Jeff. “Penny Wise, or 2.4 Cents Foolish?” New York Times, 8 Apr. 2012, p. 6(L), Opposing Viewpoints in

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