Debate over the dime pits Reagan against FDR

Verto · December 5, 2003, 19:25

Quote:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Congressional Republicans are pushing a bill to honor former President Reagan by putting his profile on the dime.

But Democrats intent on keeping the existing image of former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt are opposing the idea.

Eighty-nine Republicans are co-sponsoring the bill introduced in response to the television mini-series "The Reagans," which one bill sponsor described as "a wildly sophomoric polemic aimed at tarnishing the reputation of our 40th president and his devoted wife."

"The real Reagan, as all but the least impartial observer know, created policies that renewed economic growth, strengthened the resolve of the free world to oppose totalitarianism and restored pride in the United States," wrote Rep. Mark Souder, R-Indiana.

Democrats countered that Roosevelt should stay on the dime because he exhibited "bold leadership" when he took office at the height of the Great Depression," and "lifted the hearts and souls of the country and helped the American people regain faith in themselves,"

Rep. James McGovern, D-Massachusetts, wrote a letter seeking support for a resolution to keep FDR's image intact. So far, 86 members, including one Republican, have co-sponsored that "Sense of the Congress" resolution. .

Supporters of both men said each has a special connection to the dime. McGovern argued Roosevelt belongs on the dime because he inspired the March of Dimes effort to stamp out polio after the U.S. mint put the crippled President on the dime in 1946.

And in an unusual argument, Souder said "it is particularly fitting to honor the Freedom president on this particular piece of coinage" because he was "wounded under the left arm by a bullet that had ricocheted and flattened to the size of a dime."

Now, I'm conservative and Republican, but this is just silly. If I was going to put Reagan on our currency (an idea which I am not opposed to), I would not try to replace the current presidents with him; it is just idiotic. Everyone loves Washington, everyone loves Lincoln, everyone loves Jefferon, and (mostly) everyone loves FDR - it's just a stupid move.

If anything, a new or special commemoration coin would have to be made. Maybe a Ronald Reagan half dollar?

GePap · December 5, 2003, 19:28

What about Kennedy?

First of all, putting people NOT DEAD on the money is a horrible example. Second, I agree that FDR is too large a man in American history not to be on a coin of some sort. Maybe we can stick Reagan, once he has kicked the bucket, on the hapless Dollar coin..hey look folks, Reagan is on the biggest coin of all! That should make these 89 morons happy.

Sava · December 5, 2003, 19:32

Sure, let's replace one of the best presidents with one of the worst...

After we put Reagan on the dime (halo and all), I think we should replace Lincoln with William McKinley... Washington with Gerald Ford...

we could even put some more bad presidents on bills

****... let's just skip all this and put Saddam and Hitler on our money too

Imran Siddiqui · December 5, 2003, 19:33

Quote:

What about Kennedy?

For whatever reason, Kennedy is untouchable.

GePap · December 5, 2003, 19:34

If reps want a coin, surely put reagan once DEAD, on the dollar coin.

Verto · December 5, 2003, 19:38

Sorry, I was envisioning in my mind just creating a "special edition" Reagan half dollar, not replacing Kennedy.

Kuciwalker · December 5, 2003, 19:40

Next thing you know, I'll be living in Reagan, DC

(fyi: in case you didn't know, Reagan National Airport used to be Washington National Airport, until they changed the name

)

Verto · December 5, 2003, 19:41

Quote:

Originally posted by skywalker
Next thing you know, I'll be living in Reagan, DC

(fyi: in case you didn't know, Reagan National Airport used to be Washington National Airport, until they changed the name

)

Then what would we rename Canada?

Gatekeeper · December 5, 2003, 19:41

Good grief. This reminds me of the debacle when they wanted to add Reagan's visage to Mount Rushmore.

Gatekeeper

GePap · December 5, 2003, 19:44

Maybe they will be happy if we spend half a trillion dollars engraving his face into the Moon with a giant laser alla Chairface Chipendale.

Gatekeeper · December 5, 2003, 19:49

^^^Only if they use soft money!

connorkimbro · December 5, 2003, 20:00

Quote:

Sure, let's replace one of the best presidents with one of the worst...

Id say this the other way around.

But i agree, putting regan on the dime is silly.

Winston · December 6, 2003, 04:05

Nancy Reagan has said that although she understands the intention behind the proposal, she opposes the effort to put Ronald Reagan's image on the coin. She said that she is convinced Ronald Reagan would feel the same way.

Nancy Reagan explained that she felt once it's decided to honour a great President like Franklin D. Roosevelt by putting his portrait on the currency, it would be a mistake to remove it and replace it with someone else.

techumseh · December 6, 2003, 04:33

I think you Yanks should establish currency based on the Canadian Loonie ($1) coin and the Toonie ($2). Put Ron on the Loonie and Nancy and Frank Sinatra on the Toonie.

cinch · December 6, 2003, 04:38

Quote:

Originally posted by techumseh
I think you Yanks should establish currency based on the Canadian Loonie ($1) coin and the Toonie ($2). Put Ron on the Loonie and Nancy and Frank Sinatra on the Toonie.

Yep, and the Yanks should also pick one face and use it on every coin, like us...

Nickel? Queen.
Dime? Queen.
Quarter? Ah-QUEEN!

Oh, yeah, it's a sweet deal.

...

Waitaminnit, I was just thinking... when the old bag finally snuffs it... we're not going to have to have Charles McHugeEars on our coinage... are we?

Theben · December 6, 2003, 05:07

Put his face on the 3-dollar bill.

Uncle Sparky · December 6, 2003, 05:15

I suspect they'll have a King William before a King Charles.

Nubclear · December 6, 2003, 07:34

Americans are so strange

Urban Ranger · December 6, 2003, 07:40

Quote:

Originally posted by GePap
First of all, putting people NOT DEAD on the money is a horrible example.

They have already started naming aircraft carriers after people who aren't dead yet.

Az · December 6, 2003, 08:20

Quote:

Originally posted by Uncle Sparky
I suspect they'll have a King William before a King Charles.

You meant "we'll have".

MRT144 · December 6, 2003, 08:44

republicans are really trying to pass off reagan as the second coming of jesus christ, but what of his miracle of returning from the dead?

Nubclear · December 6, 2003, 09:32

In Reagan We Trust

Jac de Molay · December 6, 2003, 10:01

So a president who weaseled his way out of Iran-Contra, and relied on the advice of his wife's astrologer for travel and public appearances, deserves his visage on a coin?

Someone throw me out of a helicopter..

Bugs ****ing Bunny · December 6, 2003, 10:11

If I was American, I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable with his face being so close to my nuts. It's bad enough having the Queen.

Drake Tungsten · December 6, 2003, 10:24

I keep my change in a wallet that sits next to my ass, so it might not be such a bad thing.

Nubclear · December 6, 2003, 10:27

Quote:

Originally posted by Jac de Molay
Someone throw me out of a helicopter..

HOW DARE YOU INSULT REAGANGOD WITHOUT HIM WED ALL BE COMMIES IN RUSSIA HE STOPPED COMMUNISM FROM TAKING THE VERY FABRIC OF OUR SOULS AND BURNING IT TO THE GROUND