Readers Chime in on the Possibility of the United States as a Cashless Society

Do you think the United States will eventually become a cashless nation? Why or why not?

I do not think we will be cashless. The under-banked community will most likely always lack the technology and skills to go cashless. As the primary currency in the world, there are numerous countries that rely on hard American currency to make their economies run. Lastly, there are a large number of Americans who distrust current electronic banking. Going cashless would be a bridge too far.

Scott Anderson, Address withheld

We may eventually become a cashless nation.

However, if that happens before poverty and homelessness are eradicated, the number of vulnerable people who fall through the gaps in our “safety nets” will increase exponentially.

James Kern, Grand Ridge, Fla.

Yes, I do, and I don’t think it’s going to be much longer

Charles Williams, Address withheld

I don’t believe that either paper money or coin usage will fade out in my lifetime. But with the extreme advancements that today’s computer companies are making, yes, fiscal payments will no longer exist with cash. With the very big problems with credit card theft and armed robberies, facial recognition will have to be used to cut down on these problems by not having to carry cash.

Roy E, Robertson, Annapolis, Md.

I believe we will become a cashless society. It’s much harder for the government to control and monitor cash.

Ted Campbell, Address withheld

I don’t believe the U.S. will ever be cashless. The general public needs to realize there is a cost to the use of credit or debit cards. The cost is either passed on by the vendor to the customer with either higher prices or added to the amount of the invoice as a convenience charge. You see that now in many restaurants and cash vs. credit card payments at gas stations. The bottom line: many people pay 3 percent +/- for this convenience that can easily add up to a considerable amount over a period of time.

Gary Lewis, Florida

Never! Cash will always be king and leaves no trace, but debit and credit cards at times don’t work, and every purchase is tracked. I do use debit for groceries and usually choose to get cash back. I use a credit card for gasoline in order to get 4 percent cash back. Plus, this allows me to look at the coins and cash for keepers.

Joe G., Carlsbad, Calif.

I know I’m going to be in the minority on this, but just like an all-electric vehicle society, I don’t think it can be done. No matter what the government says, there are too many transactions that will require cash. With businesses adding hidden fees for credit card purchases, more cash will be needed to avoid those charges. Giving allowances, monetary gifts, tips, person-to-person purchases, etc. are just too numerous to overlook. Plus, how are the government officials going to hide their bribes without cash and precious metals? Just wondering.

Name withheld, Petersburg, Mich.

Yes, the U.S. will become a cashless nation because the government just cannot keep its nose out of the people’s business.

Charles Bush, Jr., Address withheld

With the continued use of credit cards, PayPal, Zelle, etc., I believe the U.S. will eventually evolve into a cashless nation. I am already seeing my children shopping with no cash on their persons. So, while cash may always be used, its use will devolve into rare occurrences, mostly by us baby boomers.

Lorne Lavertu, Herndon, Va.

I don’t think this will happen in the near future. Maybe decades from now it may occur. There are a lot of transactions that now occur that would have to be re-engineered. It would be relatively painless for those spending to use a card, although there is a large part of the current population that does not have bank accounts or experience in handling cards. Fraud would be a big issue to be managed (welfare recipients and the homeless receiving a card to manage their benefits and spending?). Recording devices for spending would have to be purchased for those such as vendors at sporting events, street vendors, etc. If checks were eliminated as part of this cashless society, how would you give someone a gift? I can see coins being eliminated happening sooner than all cash.

 LTC Myron W. Opfermann Inf USAR (Ret), Address withheld

Oh, God help us if we do. Without cash, fortunes can be made or lost with a push of a button.

James White, Address withheld

In God We Trust. God, I hope we don’t!!

There are enough eyes watching us now.

I would hate for the government to have the ability to take more of what we put away on the side now for emergencies, let alone decide we are not allowed to buy certain products, as possible retribution for who we may have voted for as a penalty, or possible totalitarian government change.

Name and address withheld

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