Cash--now and forever!

David R. Warwick's article "Toward a Cashless Society" fails to address the issue of security, convenience, and value (July-August 2004). I travel a lot, so what do I do [for money] in Cambodia? Bills for $100, $50, and $20 work 100% of the time anywhere. In Cambodia or France, legal U.S. tender doesn't bounce; it is also blackout proof, universally accepted as representing value, and allows me to tip [a taxi driver] $100 to get me to the airport on time during rush hour. Cash works 100% of the time.

Warwick's idea is to "outlaw" cash so nobody can steal it. While we are at it, I think we better outlaw wearing jewelry and watches; carrying PDAs, phones, or computers; and wearing expensive shoes. Burglars will steal stuff of value [no matter what it is].

Drug dealers and the teenagers who don't declare the $5 they got for washing my car will [start to] think creatively [in response to the absence of cash]. The drug dealer will use gold, silver, euros, yen, stock certificates, deeds, diamonds, and guns for commerce. I'll give the teenager a gift certificate or movie tickets to save him the hassle of filing the $5 on his tax return.

I am comfortable saying that his cashless idea will have no impact on crime, be less convenient, and reduce my personal security. Don't get me wrong--I believe better electronic forms of commerce and "value" transfer will be graciously adopted by societies. I pay most of my bills electronically, for example. The idea of being in the jungles of Malaysia, Cambodia, or New York with only "electronic currency" at my disposal is to risk inconvenience at best, and my life at worst.

Paul Sutherland

Traverse City, Michigan

psutherland@fimg.net

Editor's note: In response to this letter and Dr. Wittkotter's letter following, David R. Warwick directs readers to his book Ending Cash (Quorum Books, 1998). Many of the concerns voiced by these letter writers are addressed there.