Death to Pennies

Thesis: Although many Americans seem entrenched in the fool hearted wish to keep pennies in circulation, the coin's uselessness in and furthermore, damage on, the American economy should be evidence enough to expose the crux of this debate; certain politicians' inability to accept logical change, and the American government's failure to entertain any progressive, necessary reform. 

Waste of Individual’s Time/“Practically Useless” 

 Make point that penny doesn't serve its one and only purpose; to function efficiently as currency. 

--“The point of currency is to facilitate transactions…For me, it’s the waste of time I object to.” Source B (Kahn)

 --“It’s practically useless in everyday life.” Source A (Lewis)

--“That’s because you can’t buy anything with a penny anymore.” Source C (Safire)

Actually, Worse than Useless; Drain on Economy

Doesn't stimulate the economy through circulation; takes up valuable time of govt. workers ("opportunity cost"); continuous loss of individuals' wealth contributes to overall loss in national economy 

--“Two thirds (of pennies) immediately drop out of circulation” Source C (Safire)

--Pennies have to be dealt with “by government workers who could be more usefully employed tracking counterfeiters” Source C (Safire)

--“They cost more in employee-hours” Source C (Safire)

--“each person is loosing $60 per year, at a cost to the nation of over $15 billion per year…” Source B (Kahn)

Directly Addressing Pro-Penny Arguments

--“The EU also sought to avoid the systematic rounding of prices” Source D (Weller) 

Why wouldn't you want to round up prices? It would be more efficient and less confusing, and it costs a cent rather than a continuous drain on the economy (aka pennies). 

--“The fact is the penny remains popular with the public and important to our pricing system.” Source D (Weller)

If the best argument for a economic policy is that it's popular/it's vaguely "important", surely its purpose needs evaluation. 

--“The penny is perhaps the most visible and tangible reminder of Lincoln’s significance in American history.” Source F (Press Release)

The argument that a piece of currency's primary purpose is to serve as a "tangible reminder" of our history is economically insane and shows a lack of dedication to the study of history...and is just absurd.