“Money, Money, Money, Money........Money!”

......Thus sang the O’Jay’s way back when. And I realize that what I am about to propose is blasphemy in the eyes of our present paradigm -- so when is it better to be a radical? Yet, ironically, I really don’t think that this is as radical as it is obvious. It’s time to rethink our money....or, more accurately the portraits found upon the bills and coins of our currency. And given the recent flexibility in this realm (both mental and real), why not? We’ve seen the Sacajawea dollar coin (an EXCELLENT beginning); the state quarters, the Louisiana Purchase nickels. Even the conservative Republicans have proposed replacing FDR on the dime with RWR.

And have you seen the Euros? Or the Brazilian coranados? Or the South Africa rand? They all attempt to portray people from a variety of disciplines within their cultures -- people who have made a difference.

So this is what I would love to see.

Money with portraits on one side, and images that reflect the greatness of our nation on the other (no more old buildings). Now granted, there are some patriots who deserve to be remembered. So to this end, I would want to keep Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin around; and Lincoln is safe, too. Let the $1 bill still show a portrait of Washington, and on the flip side a scene from the Revolutionary War featuring Sybil Ludington or Molly Pritchard. The $5 bill retains Lincoln with a reverse image of African Americans standing proud and the phrase “...and justice for all” clearly legible.

As to the ten and twenty, hmmm: Hamilton and Jackson have to go!

For the $10 bill, I propose Frederick Douglass, and on the back an image depicting a free press -- (imagine that, again!). On the $20 (something even more radical), I want to see the image of Rachel Carson; and on the back a Robin in the branches of a Maple tree with the phrase, “a sense of wonder preserved.” On the $50 bill let’s kiss Grant’s sorry ass good-bye and replace his portrait with that of Sequoia, and on the back an image of a plains American Indians’ pow wow (or something indicative of Native American culture and values). Keeping Franklin on side A, on the back of the $100 let's have a picture of the space shuttle with the phrase, “A free people make sacrifices to invent the future.”

As to coins; let’s stop the redundancy of human portraits -- AND return to images of animals (just 'cause I like animals!). The Penny can show an eagle on side A and a portrait of Harriet Tubman on side B. The Nickel can have a pair of white tailed deer on side A and portraits of John and Abigail Adams on Side B. The Dime can show a Coho Salmon leaping against a water fall on side A and portraits of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt on side B. The Quarter can show a Grizzly Bear on side A and a portrait of Nancy and Ronald Reagan on side B. (Shocked? Don’t be. I really believe in justice for all. Now, of course, Nancy has to die before this can happen--so not something I expect to happen soon--, but won’t the astrologers be happy?) On the Fifty-cent piece let’s put an Otter on the A side, and Emily Dickinson on the B side. On the Dollar coin, let’s put the grey squirrel on side A and retain Sacagawea on side B.

This is just meant as a place to start this discussion. What do you think?