If a woman is chosen to replace any of the current people featured on the money it should be a brilliant woman like Abigail Adams. She helped to steer the course of this country so expertly even though she didn't hold elective office. She was a peacemaker and a moderating influence who never tried to divide Americans into subgroups and contingencies.
8
There are so many other great Americans and American institutions, parks, monuments, and cities that could easily replace presidents. Yosemite, Grand Canyon, The Redwood Forests, The Twin Towers, The Statue of Liberty, Gettysburg, the Great Lakes, and scenery and wildlife of our forests, deserts, plains and sea shores. Take a look at the images commemorated on postage stamps and you'll find a wealth of American history, science and events as well as people, famous places, and events. We could also certainly improve the colors used in bill printing as well. There's much we can do and we should do it!
6
Should Jackson stay on the $20 bill?
Money. What a conversation. When I think of money I ask what can be put on the bill to make it clean. Is there anything that can be put on a bill to prevent dirty money? Certainly I can only shake my head (side to side--no) at the idea of busts of men on bills and coins. Men should not be allowed on bills and coins--their hands constantly on money should be enough for their egos.
I prefer women on bills and coins. My personal choice for the $20 is Billie Holiday. But if people are going to start arguing about this woman or that I prefer idealized figures of women like on the Walking Liberty half dollar. And if that is a problem, go with pictures from National Parks or pictures of great American accomplishments such as airplanes--technological marvels in general (this of course is not an original idea at all which makes it a good one to have: A significant number of people agree on it).
My personal science-fiction favorite is talking cash--a bill or coin which tells brutally truthful tales of not only American history but recounts tales of all the hands it has passed through and promises to tell the whole crummy story if you, the present holder of bill or coin, spend it in a questionable way...
I guess the goal with cash is to have it appear in such fashion that we transact in rapid, honest and elevated manner. A banknote should be like a note in music--not so much the note is important but the entire song.
Money. What a conversation. When I think of money I ask what can be put on the bill to make it clean. Is there anything that can be put on a bill to prevent dirty money? Certainly I can only shake my head (side to side--no) at the idea of busts of men on bills and coins. Men should not be allowed on bills and coins--their hands constantly on money should be enough for their egos.
I prefer women on bills and coins. My personal choice for the $20 is Billie Holiday. But if people are going to start arguing about this woman or that I prefer idealized figures of women like on the Walking Liberty half dollar. And if that is a problem, go with pictures from National Parks or pictures of great American accomplishments such as airplanes--technological marvels in general (this of course is not an original idea at all which makes it a good one to have: A significant number of people agree on it).
My personal science-fiction favorite is talking cash--a bill or coin which tells brutally truthful tales of not only American history but recounts tales of all the hands it has passed through and promises to tell the whole crummy story if you, the present holder of bill or coin, spend it in a questionable way...
I guess the goal with cash is to have it appear in such fashion that we transact in rapid, honest and elevated manner. A banknote should be like a note in music--not so much the note is important but the entire song.
3
Only Harry S. Truman is completely worthy of such an honor.
3
Why not replace all the portraits of politicians and other people on US paper money the with paintings by American artists.
My personal preference would be paintings of nature including landscapes and seascapes, birds, fish and mammals, trees and plants.
My personal preference would be paintings of nature including landscapes and seascapes, birds, fish and mammals, trees and plants.
2
Why stop with the $20? The whole matter of coinage and currency in the United States is an embarrassment, owing in some part to the lack of means or interest by the Mint and the Congress to effect a grossly overdue update.
The one and five cent coins are all but useless; FDR has graced the dime for 70 years running; the Quarter, with its constantly mutating reverse owns a crowded and unimaginative obverse; and the half dollar circulates hardly at all, not to mention JFK's 50-year run.
Dollar coins need to be promoted, while the dollar bill must die (probably the $2 as well), and of the five remaining portraits, only Lincoln and Franklin merit continuance. We might do well to avoid human subjects on bills entirely, as some suggest, with the possible exception of those few, such as Lincoln and Franklin, who arguably rise above all.
The one and five cent coins are all but useless; FDR has graced the dime for 70 years running; the Quarter, with its constantly mutating reverse owns a crowded and unimaginative obverse; and the half dollar circulates hardly at all, not to mention JFK's 50-year run.
Dollar coins need to be promoted, while the dollar bill must die (probably the $2 as well), and of the five remaining portraits, only Lincoln and Franklin merit continuance. We might do well to avoid human subjects on bills entirely, as some suggest, with the possible exception of those few, such as Lincoln and Franklin, who arguably rise above all.
2
Today, Americans are quick to disparage Indian Fighters like Andrew Jackson, but they are happy to live on lands the Indian Fighters opened to European settlement.
9
As I note elsewhere, the use of money is declining. So the value of being on the $20 bill is not what it once was. We could give the space away and honor some old hero. Or we could sell the space and use the proceeds to do some good. I believe there's someone out there who would spend millions to get his face on the 20 -- "Money" himself, Floyd Mayweather. Might as well use this opportunity to feed some hungry children.
Let's erase all imagery of white people from all facets of American life. They are, after all, beneficiaries of years of slavery. Then we can go after their Christian belief system by intimidating people of faith into submitting to the new Progressive morality. Once that's accomplished, we can pick and choose which of the Bill of Rights we want to enforce ala cart as it serves our interests. And once we eliminate the right to bare arms we can accuse anyone the internet deems to be racist, sexist, transphobic, polyamoryphobic, cosmopolitan, or non-diversity mentality to the gallows. So this is a good start to a nation of fairness, justice, and redistribution of wealth that has been accumulated through white privilege.
8
Women helped build this country every single day of its existence. At what point in our history will we be willing to accept that as fact and give women the respect they deserve?
10
Chief Joseph on the $20
5
What about John Brown, the abolitionist? He is one of the most admirable people in American history and one whose personal convictions should be showcased and emulated. He didn't fight to save himself and his people, he waged a one-man war and gave his life to end slavery. Even Frederick Douglass remarked that John Brown's abolitionist zeal was greater than his own - "Mine was as the taper light, his was as the burning sun."
Or, since this is an era of "symbolic justice", does the fact that he is a white male totally eliminate him from the running?
Or, since this is an era of "symbolic justice", does the fact that he is a white male totally eliminate him from the running?
2
In 1856, John Brown and his Free State volunteers, including four of Brown's sons, murdered five men settled along the Pottawatomie Creek in Kansas. The victims were members of the pro-slavery Law and Order Party, but were not slave owners. The Pottawatomie Creek Murders and Browns subsequent raid on Harper's Ferry did nothing to end slavery. His actions were abhorred by most Northerners as well as must Southerners. However, some Southern firebrands did use John Brown in urging Southern states to seceded.
2
Leave the money the way it is. There is something to be said for green tradition. Foreign multi-colored currency looks so fake. Reagan should go on the $1 Million dollar bill. That should make Grover Norquist happy. I say go back to the old portrait of Abe on the 5. The new portrait looks like he has attitude. Also we should bring back the Indian/Buffalo nickel. That was the best US coin ever minted. The best coin ever was the "canoe" dollar in Canada. Check your attic, and if you find the missing dies, please let me know.
8
Since nothing is sacred, put Washington on one side of the $1 and Jefferson on the other side. Then put Venus on the front of the $2 and Serena on the back (no, you fool, not the Kardasians!)
2
The idea of having not one, but two portraits of significant historical figures adorning our national currency, each representing one side of a national debate, opens endless possibilities. I even conceive of a national debit card with Bill Clinton's portrait in blue ink on one side, and George W. Bush, done in red ink, of course, on the obverse side. Think of the statement that would make.
If were going beyond presidents to other notables, we can have Barack Obama juxtaposed with the Republican squirrel cage on the other side of whatever bill the current president may adorn at some future time. Maybe Thomas Jefferson and Sarah Hemmings representing a bloodless idealism versus the reality of human slavery; Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon, realist versus realpolitik; or Harry Truman and Ronald Reagan, populists who were polar opposites of one another. Maybe Lyndon Johnson and Mitt Romney, the former who knew what it was like to be poor and sought to uplift those like him, while the latter using the poor as a campaign issue, treating people as a faceless mob to be feared and shunned in the pursuit of even greater personal wealth.
I would even go so far as to rename the dollar the Ironic, as with some people, it's not the dollar you spend that counts, it's the dollar you clutching your hand and waive about as a proclamation of who and how important you are.
For my money, I'll stick with Washington, Lincoln, and Ben Franklin.
If were going beyond presidents to other notables, we can have Barack Obama juxtaposed with the Republican squirrel cage on the other side of whatever bill the current president may adorn at some future time. Maybe Thomas Jefferson and Sarah Hemmings representing a bloodless idealism versus the reality of human slavery; Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon, realist versus realpolitik; or Harry Truman and Ronald Reagan, populists who were polar opposites of one another. Maybe Lyndon Johnson and Mitt Romney, the former who knew what it was like to be poor and sought to uplift those like him, while the latter using the poor as a campaign issue, treating people as a faceless mob to be feared and shunned in the pursuit of even greater personal wealth.
I would even go so far as to rename the dollar the Ironic, as with some people, it's not the dollar you spend that counts, it's the dollar you clutching your hand and waive about as a proclamation of who and how important you are.
For my money, I'll stick with Washington, Lincoln, and Ben Franklin.
2
If only this were our biggest problem!
Seriously, what's so important about who's on the bills? Maybe in the not-too- distant future, exchanging money will be completely electronic.
Seriously, what's so important about who's on the bills? Maybe in the not-too- distant future, exchanging money will be completely electronic.
3
Why do we need the same person on each denomination? Since bills are printed in sheets, perhaps a wide range of historically significant people can occupy the singular oval across the sheet. A great gallery of the inspirational, honored, devoted people who make up this extraordinary fabric of history in America. including Mickey Mouse.
2
My Great Uncle would not accept 5 dollar bills or pennies when I was a boy
as they had Lincoln's Portrait on them.
Why ?
Well, Lincoln had been president when the Winnebago and other Indians
in Wisconsin/Minnesota rebelled against the United States.
Though Lincoln spared most of the Native American sentenced to death,
around 25, including my Great Uncle's Grandfather were executed by hanging.
So 'yes' to John Ross, and Dred Scott and all the rest of the common folk
who helped to make this country and 'no' to Slave Holders and those who
massacred Native Americans.
as they had Lincoln's Portrait on them.
Why ?
Well, Lincoln had been president when the Winnebago and other Indians
in Wisconsin/Minnesota rebelled against the United States.
Though Lincoln spared most of the Native American sentenced to death,
around 25, including my Great Uncle's Grandfather were executed by hanging.
So 'yes' to John Ross, and Dred Scott and all the rest of the common folk
who helped to make this country and 'no' to Slave Holders and those who
massacred Native Americans.
2
That particular uprising is informative, because of the way it happened. There was a functioning treaty in place, but the young men of those tribes felt a cultural need to establish themselves as warriors. They slaughtered a group of white settlers, leading to retribution by the local and federal authorities. Lincoln showed remarkable insight and restraint in his handling of that situation. Just because Native Americans were on the losing end of that situation doesn't give them the moral high ground.
2
There are only few great Americans that deserve permanent seats on our coins and bills: Lincoln, Washington, FDR. There were others who were tainted by slavery but nevertheless made great contributions, Jefferson, Madison, etc. Jackson, on the other hand, revealed little greatness. His contributions pale compared to the true giants. Placing him on the $20 bill was a mistake. Replacing him with another great American would certainly be a step in the right direction.
11
United States paper currency has a rich history of depicting the famous and the not so famous. The Series of 1899 $1 Silver Certificate did indeed pair Grant and Lincoln on the front and the Series of 1896 $1 Silver Certificate paired George and Martha Washington on the back. It should also be noted that the vignettes on almost all of our paper currency were political choices, down to the Series of 1890 Treasury Notes that depicted Union generals of the Civil War. It should also be noted that whenever a Republican president died his vignette also found its way onto our paper currency (i.e. Garfield and Harrison on the $5 National Currency notes). Let's update our currency to include the presidents of the twentieth century. The one dollar note should have a vignette of William Howard Taft. The two dollar note should have a vignette of Warren Harding. The five dollar note should have a vignette of Herbert Hoover. The ten dollar note should have a vignette of Harry Truman, and the twenty, fifty and hundred dollar notes should have Eisenhower, Nixon and Reagan respectively. Kennedy is already on the half dollar, Franklin Roosevelt on the dime and Lincoln on the one cent piece and Jefferson on the five cent piece. BTW Washington is still on the quarter.
Time for Bill to be on a 100.00 bill.
1
What?!? Replace Jackson with another guy? You've got to be kidding me. It's time for our money to depict the Other Half of the People Who Earn it and Spend It. And that would be someone female. I'm for Eleanor Roosevelt, myself.
5
My choice is Tecumseh. He almost unified the many tribal nations into a cohesive confederation. Had he succeeded, our history would have been very different.
1
The move to put a woman on a bill raised the question of changing the $20. Now we have advocates to not put a woman on a bill, but a man. Granted, we need to have non-white males recognized in our country for their contributions. It would seem to me Martin Luther King might merit recognition at some point on our currency, or even our first non-white president, Barack Obama.
But this particular movement started with the idea that women, one-half of our population, continues largely unrecognized. I'd like to see us get at least one woman on the currency before we start with a long list of others who merit recognition. If we put John Ross on the $20, we will have succeeded in recognizing someone who should be widely known in American history, but we will still not have a woman on the currency. Shall we wait another 50 or 100 years then to try again? After all, women are used to waiting, aren't they?
But this particular movement started with the idea that women, one-half of our population, continues largely unrecognized. I'd like to see us get at least one woman on the currency before we start with a long list of others who merit recognition. If we put John Ross on the $20, we will have succeeded in recognizing someone who should be widely known in American history, but we will still not have a woman on the currency. Shall we wait another 50 or 100 years then to try again? After all, women are used to waiting, aren't they?
3
Shocker, a white guy thinks that a white guy should be on every bill, balanced by a member of the great others. Come on Steve, you know better!
I vote we replace all the current portraits with pictures of the Walton family, Bill Gates, the Koch brothers, Sheldon Adelson etc. Seems appropriate since they own our government. Perhaps a generalized representation of K Street could go on the back.
4
People, people, Presidents! (No parks, monuments or other inanimate objects on our dollar bills.)
People pay other people, not parks, monuments or other inanimate objects. Our currency should reflect our people, and presidents do a fine job a that.
The dollar bill is of and for the people, created by our government to offer credit and be legal tender for all debts, public or private. Yes, when you buy a shirt, you enter into debt, which you then settle with your dollar bills.
So, please keep Presidents on our bills, because they represent the pinnacle and leadership of our Federal government.
People pay other people, not parks, monuments or other inanimate objects. Our currency should reflect our people, and presidents do a fine job a that.
The dollar bill is of and for the people, created by our government to offer credit and be legal tender for all debts, public or private. Yes, when you buy a shirt, you enter into debt, which you then settle with your dollar bills.
So, please keep Presidents on our bills, because they represent the pinnacle and leadership of our Federal government.
Not for long, if a Republican wins in 2016.
George Washington was a slave owner too. Benjamin Franklin was a well known adulterer in his time in France... Take them off also?
The use of cash is dying out. Being pictured on any bill is a dubious honor. So I'd suggest someone who we'd like to see fade away. Who better than Dick Cheney?
1
I like the idea of updating the currency and like the idea of adding an American Indian to the front of the $20 bill. (An American Indian was on the on 1899 US $5 bill.) I also think adding a likeness of an American Buffalo on the backside, as a nod to our environmental heritage and near extinction of this species, would be very appealing. (The 1901 $10 US note had such a design and is exceptionally beautiful.)
At one time our bills had two different persons on the front, which you could do with Jackson and Ross, for example. And then leave the reverse side for something different, but perhaps related to the two people on the front.
In addition, our money has become less and less beautiful/artistic since updating the bills over the last 20 years. Is something wrong with beautifully engraved bills? Lastly, get rid of the penny and $1 bill.
At one time our bills had two different persons on the front, which you could do with Jackson and Ross, for example. And then leave the reverse side for something different, but perhaps related to the two people on the front.
In addition, our money has become less and less beautiful/artistic since updating the bills over the last 20 years. Is something wrong with beautifully engraved bills? Lastly, get rid of the penny and $1 bill.
Terrific ideas--mostly. I like Inskeep's notion of two sided bills with portraits of contemporary figures with opposing or divergent points of view. I'm also in favor of different sized bills and different colors. What about rotating the images every year or two, like the quarters with all 50 states on the reverse sides, which were made some years back. These were hugely popular and very collectible to boot.
The idea of pairing the portraits currently in use with those of a related person is interesting. However, simply removing the current "occupant" would generate unnecessary antagonism. Do we really need to manufacture new sources of strife? Don't we already have enough?
1
Why not just sell advertising space on it and make money pay for itself? Instead of Washington we could have a Starbucks lady. Instead of Jackson, maybe Ronald McDonald or the Burger King? It could be a good source of revenue for the government. Who cares? Most people just pay for everything with cards anyway.
1
No, of course not. There should be a 75 year limit on the naming of anything for a person or an image of that person on a coin, statue, etc. Everything should be renamed every 75 years.
1
We can save a bundle of taxpayer funds by replacing money with credit and debit cards.
1
I personally like keeping money around as a way to help protect some degree of privacy. Any time you use your credit or debit card there is an ad -and the potential for something worse-for something related to it that comes your way. And no I am not paranoid just observant.
3
Iroquois Confederacy - they influenced the Founding Fathers' ideas about democracy, governmental structures, the rights of the individual and the public good.
People who died doing the right thing for the country: MLK comes to mind.
Abolitionists: Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth.
Rosa Parks, Lovings (landmark case against miscegenation)
Thurgood Marshall
Eleanor Roosevelt
Great writers, artists, scientists, etc. and our great natural treasures.
Please, no Mount Rushmore.
People who died doing the right thing for the country: MLK comes to mind.
Abolitionists: Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth.
Rosa Parks, Lovings (landmark case against miscegenation)
Thurgood Marshall
Eleanor Roosevelt
Great writers, artists, scientists, etc. and our great natural treasures.
Please, no Mount Rushmore.
1
Its time for a Native American to be featured on one of our bank notes.
3
Chief Joseph on the $20, Geronimo on the $100
2
Who or what to represent on our money is not as easy as it seem -- no one is pure and nothing is untainted in some way if we good deep enough. Instead we need to first define our criteria and standards for selecting the images to be printed. Designating the lowest denominations as representing our earliest national eras is good because it might help children and and most immigrants learn our history (both usually deal in smaller sums of money!). And placing images on each side that represent a story is a great idea -- let's just be sure we are accurate in telling that story -- another history lesson opportunity!
I'm not an historian, but my suggestions are:
$ 1 bill: Era: founding of the US (mid-late 1700s;
Washington and Franklin.
$ 5 bill: Era: first polarizing political philosophies (late 1700s - early 1800s);
Jefferson and John Adams
$10 bill: Era: first defense of the Constitution (early 1800s);
Madison and Chief Justice Marshall
$20 bill: Era: expansion of US territory (early-mid 1800s);
Jackson and Oconostota (aka Great Warrior of Chota)
$50 bill: Era: second defense of the Constitution (mid 1800s):
Lincoln and Frederick Douglass
$75 bill: Era: economic & social upheaval (mid-late 1800s):
Chief Sitting Bull and Jane Addams
$100 bill: Era: the Long Depression (late 1800s - early 1900s)
Theodore Roosevelt and John Mitchell
I'm not an historian, but my suggestions are:
$ 1 bill: Era: founding of the US (mid-late 1700s;
Washington and Franklin.
$ 5 bill: Era: first polarizing political philosophies (late 1700s - early 1800s);
Jefferson and John Adams
$10 bill: Era: first defense of the Constitution (early 1800s);
Madison and Chief Justice Marshall
$20 bill: Era: expansion of US territory (early-mid 1800s);
Jackson and Oconostota (aka Great Warrior of Chota)
$50 bill: Era: second defense of the Constitution (mid 1800s):
Lincoln and Frederick Douglass
$75 bill: Era: economic & social upheaval (mid-late 1800s):
Chief Sitting Bull and Jane Addams
$100 bill: Era: the Long Depression (late 1800s - early 1900s)
Theodore Roosevelt and John Mitchell
2
Please take down any person from the currency. No matter how you look at it, it ain't going to be a pretty picture with any of these folks. As the article states, there are no saints in these tails and certainly not amongst history's big names.
(I know it won't happen)
(I know it won't happen)
I'm all for putting Reagan on a $3 bill, and printing it in red. The idea of a Native American (there needs to be a better term than that) on a $20 bill is great since it replaces Jackson, who may actually have been a worse president than W. How about Red Cloud, who actually won a war with the U.S.
1
What about accomplished couples - like our middle-class founding father and his brave, resourceful, feminist wife - John and Abigail Adams?
Odd that Steve Inskeep is making this argument now, when there's a large, well publicized campaign he must know about to put a woman on the $20 bill, which he doesn't even mention. While John Ross sounds like a worthy replacement, too often in our history recognition of women has come at the expense of some other worthy cause.
4
What brought all this talk of currency picture change about? So Andrew Jackson has a mixed past. A lot of people don;t like the Civil War but we don;t talk about removing Lincoln from the $5.00 bill. I think this is one of those "if it isn't broke don;t fix it" issues. Instead of working to change the face of the $20.00 let's work towards having it buy more.
1
Yes we should abandon tradition and go with the flavor of the month. The US will no longer stand for its traditions of rule of law, but of the unerring rightness of whatever special interest group has at present screamed its way to the top. As in all other societal portrayals in the past 45 years, white males will always be the objects of attack, belittlement and mockery.
3
Oh, please. Overdramatize much? What's with "special interest group...screamed its way to the top"? Also, I really hate to break it to you but, there is no "unerring rightness" of white males.
Pardon me for not scrolling through all the comments, but why bother with humans who have surely done good, but also caused heartache? Why not for a change pick from badgers, raccoon, gray wolves, coyotes, cougars, buffalo, armadillo, cod, pacific salmon, North Atlantic right whales, and others who were stewards of this land, its air, and its waters for much longer and who despoiled them much less?
I am an 88 year old man. I feel strongly that its way past time to have a woman on the twenty. Susan B. Anthony would be an excellent candidate. Please do it while I am still alive.
9
It's time to end this politicizing of of coinage and currency, it's about time we revert to the original practice of using only images of Lady Liberty, or is that idea sexist?
2
I say NO. Leave the $20 bill just as it is. It is American History good and bad. This way no one feels left out if their guy/gal is not picked to replace Jackson.
2
"No one feels left out..." You really don't understand, do you.
Why must all $20 bills have the same portrait? Not all postage stamps have the same picture, not all States are "States"...some are Commonwealths. All that $20 bills need to have in common is the number twenty.
Instead of a Native American out of the past who lost nobly they should use one from the present, to remind people that Tribes have not gone anywhere despite having been pushed around quite a bit, and are part of the present life of our nation. Should also use the portrait of someone who won their campaigns, like Billy Frank Jr who helped recover treaty harvest rights for tribes in the Northwest and other places, when states, claiming treaties and Indians were from the past, figured they had just expired and could be swept under the rug.
1
I would hope that it is obvious that we are very long overdue in having a woman on some unit of money. How is it that inkeep's only suggestion is for yet another man?
It may be time to review all units of money and ensure that we reflect the diversity of this nation, since we have had leaders and great thinkers from all races, genders, etc.
It may be time to review all units of money and ensure that we reflect the diversity of this nation, since we have had leaders and great thinkers from all races, genders, etc.
2
Check your facts, Barbara. Two women's likenesses appear on US currency.
A woman has been on a unit of currency since 1979; indeed, the Treasury intended that she would replace none other than George Washington.
Amelia Earhart, for being gloriously wrong and for that all the more inspiring. It's the "winners" now appearing on our currency that make all of us pay for their victories.
John Ross was not a United States politician. He was an opponent of the United States and the leader of a nation at war with the United States. It would be a final insult to force him to be part of the currency of that nation that he fought so hard to be separate from.
4
Wait wait wait! I agree with replacing Andrew Jackson who was one rough character, but you failed to mention John Ross murdering John and Major Ridge, the Cherokee Elias Boudinot, and Stand Watie who survived the attack. He didn't kill them but it's believed he sent the assassins who did the butchering.
Though John Ross denied any part of these assassinations, to this day very few people believe him. It was very very good for John Ross to have the "Old Settlers" dead dead dead.
There are plenty of Native American heroes of the past without blood on their hands. History is very tricky...don't be fooled by untrue or incomplete information.
Though John Ross denied any part of these assassinations, to this day very few people believe him. It was very very good for John Ross to have the "Old Settlers" dead dead dead.
There are plenty of Native American heroes of the past without blood on their hands. History is very tricky...don't be fooled by untrue or incomplete information.
2
I say we replace Andrew Jackson with the letters PC, since nothing now is more American than political correctness.
3
Please tell us how many white people were murdered by the Cherokees. Jackson was a liar, a cheat and a mass murderer. He deserves no accolades for his despicable treatment of his fellow citizens, blacks and Native Americans. Continuing to glorify cheating, bullying and violence as 'leadership' is exactly why the violence continues between races and economic classes.
1
This campaign to demonize Andrew Jackson puzzles me. Andrew Jackson is no more demonic than any other major Nineteenth Century American leader who embraced manifest destiny. The flip side of manifest destiny was the removal of native Americans from their ancestral lands which meant corralling them on reservations. Like most men of this generation and all of our leaders, President Jackson had his faults but he was one of the most important political figures of the Nineteenth Century. His accomplishments were extraordinary and he should be on eth twenty dollar bill.
4
Why not replace Mr. Jackson with a woman?....And a woman of color, at that??? There really are quite a few honorable possibilities. Of course, this will never happen, but it's worth mentioning.
2
Thanks Steve for your insight. I never knew this about Ross nor did I know of him. He sounds like an American Moses--born to the subservient ethnicity, raised by the dominant class and then returned to his roots to help free an enslaved people. So, yes, let's put him on our currency !! Will say a lot about whom we aspire to be.
This is a really wonderful idea. As Mr. Inskeep writes, democracy is something that arises out of our conflicts and resolutions. Using our money to tell these (hi)stories, and honor lesser known Americans, would be fantastic.
Why not put an artist on? How about a writer or a poet? Why must we always name public spaces after political figures or those that give the money? America has produced its share of good writers, artists, poets, actors, inventors, scientists. Why don't we value them on our currency, in our public spaces, on our street names? Why not put Louisa May Alcott on or Nathaniel Hawthorne? They're Americans too.
2
I STRONGLY oppose using left wing political correctness to place
people on money. If we keep political people, keep the present ones,
forever. If a new president is used, use Ronald Reagan.
If a change is desired, put people like astronauts or (hard science!)
Novel Prize winners on them.
But the best idea is the real National Parks like Yellowstone
or Yosemite.
people on money. If we keep political people, keep the present ones,
forever. If a new president is used, use Ronald Reagan.
If a change is desired, put people like astronauts or (hard science!)
Novel Prize winners on them.
But the best idea is the real National Parks like Yellowstone
or Yosemite.
1
I strongly oppose using right wing political correctness to place people on money. Not everyone views Ronald Reagan's legacy through the same rosy haze. He was a union-busting, race-baiting divider who was ultimately unqualified for the job.
2
The last place we should want to honor great humanitarians is on money.
Presidents in all their mixed repute seem appropriate.
Presidents in all their mixed repute seem appropriate.
I'd like to see some of our natural wonders. The Grand Canyon, Sequoia National Park, anybody?
1
The scope of this editorial was whether to replace Jackson on the $20 bill not whether we should have plastic currency of different colors.
It is time that Jackson was removed from the $20 bill. He should have been impeached. He was a lawless man who wanted his way. Putting a Cherokee chief on the bill is absurd. That injustice can never be corrected because Jackson was a racist and racism is strong and damaging in America today, so why not Martin Luther King Jr., or any number of choices that would make Jackson turn in his grave.
Who traditionally gets to be on US currency. Icons of American history. Why not movie stars, Bogart or Hepburn on the 20 or inventors, Edison or Marconi. How about industrialists, Ford or Jobs.
People on currency should be people who left a left a big positive footprint on American history. The two giants of American history are Washington and Lincoln and the thought that Lincoln should share his bill with some one who urged him on demeans Lincoln who won the Civil War, saved the Union and masterfully engineered the passage of the 13th Amendment which freed the slaves everywhere. It is absurd to think that these things would not have happened without Frederic Douglas, great man that he was.
Jackson’s replacement should someone who changed America in a positive way, who make life easier and better for the masses of the American people and stood up for democracy. No one has a better claim than FDR to be on the $20 bill with or without Elinor.
It is time that Jackson was removed from the $20 bill. He should have been impeached. He was a lawless man who wanted his way. Putting a Cherokee chief on the bill is absurd. That injustice can never be corrected because Jackson was a racist and racism is strong and damaging in America today, so why not Martin Luther King Jr., or any number of choices that would make Jackson turn in his grave.
Who traditionally gets to be on US currency. Icons of American history. Why not movie stars, Bogart or Hepburn on the 20 or inventors, Edison or Marconi. How about industrialists, Ford or Jobs.
People on currency should be people who left a left a big positive footprint on American history. The two giants of American history are Washington and Lincoln and the thought that Lincoln should share his bill with some one who urged him on demeans Lincoln who won the Civil War, saved the Union and masterfully engineered the passage of the 13th Amendment which freed the slaves everywhere. It is absurd to think that these things would not have happened without Frederic Douglas, great man that he was.
Jackson’s replacement should someone who changed America in a positive way, who make life easier and better for the masses of the American people and stood up for democracy. No one has a better claim than FDR to be on the $20 bill with or without Elinor.
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Replace Jackson's image with a smooth metallic material that would function as a mirror... reflecting images of everyday Americans. Let it be a reminder to all that this is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
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Get rid of the presidents other than the founders. We don't have a monarchy. There are all kinds of Americans--scientists, artists (writers, composers, singers, and musicians, painters, sculpters), unelected leaders. How about Mark Twain, Herman Melville, and Emily Dickenson.
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It's about time a woman was on a bill. I never understood the choice for Jackson on money. If I recall my history, he was against banks in general- so it was an ironic choice to put him on the $20 bill.
I nominate Eleanor Roosevelt who was tireless in her service to this country.
I nominate Eleanor Roosevelt who was tireless in her service to this country.
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I agree that Jackson does not belong on the $20 bill; his behavior was vicious and criminal--I have been aware of this for decades. But I see no reason whatever to take this fact and use it to justify the glorification of Jackson's military foe, who would have been happy to execute Jackson if he had had the chance.
There are ample giants of bipartisan US history available to replace Jackson's visage on the currency. Counter to DNC radio's incessant narrow polemical pandering, there is no urgent necessity to elevate a handicapped native-American lesbian immigrant journalist of color in the name of a misguided notion of something referred to euphemistically as "social justice". Routine partisan agitation, organized to coincide with the election cycle, is not the same thing as Justice.
Someone suggested Benjamin Franklin. I could easily support Franklin, as he was critical to every major step taken by the colonists to free themselves from English tyranny.
There are ample giants of bipartisan US history available to replace Jackson's visage on the currency. Counter to DNC radio's incessant narrow polemical pandering, there is no urgent necessity to elevate a handicapped native-American lesbian immigrant journalist of color in the name of a misguided notion of something referred to euphemistically as "social justice". Routine partisan agitation, organized to coincide with the election cycle, is not the same thing as Justice.
Someone suggested Benjamin Franklin. I could easily support Franklin, as he was critical to every major step taken by the colonists to free themselves from English tyranny.
You are aware the he is already on the $100 bill, right?
Of course, all of the wonderful ideas presented by the article and the comments here are moot: as long as we have a Congress controlled by the GOP, you will not see a woman, Native American or anything BUT a president on a bill - and, indeed, if Congress WERE to approve a new face on any of the bills, it would probably be someone WORSE than Jackson.
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Thurston Howell III on the twenty
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Sure, take the old fascist off the bill and while we're at it take Reagan off the airport and other places.
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I'll support that the day FDR is named back to East River Drive in New York City, and the Dime gets the Statue of Liberty back. And that airport in Queens is renamed Idlewild!!!!
Just because liberals don't like something doesn't mean they get their way every single time.
Just because liberals don't like something doesn't mean they get their way every single time.
To celebrate the Citizens United decision that enshrined the principle of "one dollar, one vote" democracy in our constitution, I propose that the portraits on our currency be auctioned. The proceeds of the auction could help to fund programs and tax breaks for needy billionaires and corporations
Portraits of Charles and David Koch, Sheldon Adelson, and George Soros on our money could serve as dual reminders of who our elected officials really represent, as well as what entitles them to that representation. The high bidders might alternatively choose to depict their ideological heroes rather themselves (money is speech, after all). So our money could feature such luminaries as Grover Norquist, Sean Hannity, James Clapper, or Harry Anslinger (the father of the War on Drugs).
Or better yet, the winners could decide that all our currency could include a picture or silhouette of Ronald Reagan, much as the currency of Commonwealth countries includes Queen Elizabeth. Not only was Reagan our Greatest President, but he established Greed as our national religion and set us on the path the current Golden Age of income inequality and wage stagnation.
Portraits of Charles and David Koch, Sheldon Adelson, and George Soros on our money could serve as dual reminders of who our elected officials really represent, as well as what entitles them to that representation. The high bidders might alternatively choose to depict their ideological heroes rather themselves (money is speech, after all). So our money could feature such luminaries as Grover Norquist, Sean Hannity, James Clapper, or Harry Anslinger (the father of the War on Drugs).
Or better yet, the winners could decide that all our currency could include a picture or silhouette of Ronald Reagan, much as the currency of Commonwealth countries includes Queen Elizabeth. Not only was Reagan our Greatest President, but he established Greed as our national religion and set us on the path the current Golden Age of income inequality and wage stagnation.
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How about Sacagawea? She's not a white male. She already passed muster for the dollar coin that unfortunately wasn't popular, not because of her but because dollar coins just aren't popular. If not her, it would be fitting to replace Jackson with another Native American.
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If Americans really want to commemorate their spotted political and ethical legacy, why not simply creating more denominations, for example, Richard Nixon 30-Dollar bill or say a Ronald Reagan 7-Dollar bill? It's not to late to print that Warren Harding 22-and-a-half Dollar bill also. If we think of coins, then G. W. Bush might make a decent 67-Cent coin too I would wager, something that would fit that akward niche between a Dollar and a quarter.
To commemorate the current fear and ignorance of science amongst our congress over everything from global warming to fracking, why not use fractional values, for example, why not a Senator James Inhofe 352.6345-Cent coin. I don’t know what it would buy but it would probably buy enough of some drink to do a spit-take when I read of Republican commentary on science issues.
Putting worthy people on American currency that actually contributed something of merit to society that reflects the highest American aspirations would be logical but that would not be fitting for the times we live in currently. Maybe one day . . .
To commemorate the current fear and ignorance of science amongst our congress over everything from global warming to fracking, why not use fractional values, for example, why not a Senator James Inhofe 352.6345-Cent coin. I don’t know what it would buy but it would probably buy enough of some drink to do a spit-take when I read of Republican commentary on science issues.
Putting worthy people on American currency that actually contributed something of merit to society that reflects the highest American aspirations would be logical but that would not be fitting for the times we live in currently. Maybe one day . . .
We live in a country where television show hosts send "reporters" out on the street and ask passers-by to name the vice-president of the US, and most often the answer is "I don't know". Asked to name the senator or representative from their state / congressional district, and all-to-rarely does the man-on-the-street know the name. Asked to name the first woman named to the Supreme Court, and the woman-on-the-street is at a loss........but ask about one of the Kardashians, and she can give the 'reporter' the 411 on her favorite. I've laughed at these funny episodes, and bet you have too. We should have cried!
I've watched as streets have been re-named, confusing residents and occasional drivers, and causing expensive change to businesses, reprinting letterhead, envelopes, updating customers. Only the map-makers are happy!
Once something is named, it should stay named........the names are part of our history, and whether an individual likes the historical name, why would anyone dwell on it? There are more important things in life.
Don't cause the spending of large sums of money to change the name of something. Issue a stamp.........if John Ross hasn't been on a stamp yet, then it's high time! (BTW: I've walked on part of The Trail of Tears; my grandmother was 25% Cherokee, that makes my mother 12.5%, and me 6.25% [if I'm doing this right].
But call a stop to the changing of things! Name something that's new!
I've watched as streets have been re-named, confusing residents and occasional drivers, and causing expensive change to businesses, reprinting letterhead, envelopes, updating customers. Only the map-makers are happy!
Once something is named, it should stay named........the names are part of our history, and whether an individual likes the historical name, why would anyone dwell on it? There are more important things in life.
Don't cause the spending of large sums of money to change the name of something. Issue a stamp.........if John Ross hasn't been on a stamp yet, then it's high time! (BTW: I've walked on part of The Trail of Tears; my grandmother was 25% Cherokee, that makes my mother 12.5%, and me 6.25% [if I'm doing this right].
But call a stop to the changing of things! Name something that's new!
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Jackson should be replaced on the $20. There have been greater presidents than Jackson, and he was very pro-slavery and pro-South. He was put on the $20 in 1928. My vote is to put Teddy Roosevelt or FDR on the $20. TR isn't on any US currency that I know of, but he's on Mount Rushmore. FDR is on the dime already, but Lincoln and Washington are also on both a coin and a paper currency. Either Roosevelt would be fine with me.
Seriously, we can't think of one woman who should be on our currency? Steve - I love you on NPR, but its time for a woman to be on the US currency! Jackson is definitely the one who should go - terrible president, terrible legacy.
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Jackson surely left an imprint plus a mess for Van Buren (same party) to clean up. But Jackson's divisive style would look familiar today. He believed the victor got the spoils. Among that practice's results was putting totally political allies in government administration. Only the Civil Service Act ended this practice around 1900. Just imagine! The crony practice was so bad that civil service was an improvement. Jackson broke treaty after treaty with Indians and backed their oppression. When he could ignore laws, he never failed to.
Time to replace this backwoods thug.
Time to replace this backwoods thug.
Problem with removing Jackson would be a "right wing" onslaught to put their beloved Ronald Reagan on in his place. Let's just leave Jackson where he is. Nobody pays any attention to it anyway.
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You got that right! RR all the way.
I was quite moved by Steve's observations and recommendations. Especially love the idea of a bill with the images of Chavez and Parks!
As a multi-cultural society moving forward into the 21st c., I LOVE the idea of bills having two people! What a great way to move away from the "founding fathers" toward a more inclusive telling of our complex history. Thank you Mr. Inskeep!
I'd like to see Pete Seeger.
Impeccable character, teller of the American story in song, exercised his American rights bravely in the face of domestic fascism, a teacher, activist who cleaned the Hudson River, a man who introduced music to thousands of kids, a patriotic devotee of our Constitution and basic freedom and not afraid to show it.
A veteran who served in World War II.
Impeccable character, teller of the American story in song, exercised his American rights bravely in the face of domestic fascism, a teacher, activist who cleaned the Hudson River, a man who introduced music to thousands of kids, a patriotic devotee of our Constitution and basic freedom and not afraid to show it.
A veteran who served in World War II.
The images on currencies usually represent persons or events of greatest significance in a nation's history. Lincoln had a far greater effect on this nation's history than did Douglas. Grant's military victories had a far greater impact on resolving the contradictions written into the Constitution that did Harriet Beecher Stowe much later literary work. If we are to start placing new images on bills, let us use images of only the most important ones..
To avoid problems, we might as well just replace everyone on all the bills with Ronald Reagan. He's the actual author of the mess of a situation in which we find ourselves today.
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Replace portraits on all currency with a big fat gold colored dollar sign. We all know that our purported democracy has devolved into a plutocracy.
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Thurston Howell II on the $20
If we want a truly American solution, let's just auction off the space on our currency (and coins) currently occupied by these long-dead people who aren't even paying for the exposure. I have no objection to the Nike $1, the Ford $5, or the IBM $10 - or, for that matter, the Toyota $20, the Samsung $50, or the i$100 from Apple. We should be thinking about making money, not just printing or minting it. And, lest we forget, since the Citizens United decision, all of these corporations are people, too.
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As a nation, we have equated Capitalism with Democracy and Democracy with religion. Perhaps the solution is to entirely stop deifying money by adorning it with the portraits of the rich, dead white men who exploited others to give economics control over our lives. When the paper that history is written on is worth more to us than the paper that pays for it, then we will have justice.
I nominate George W. so no one forgets where that took us.
As a pedagogical device, Mr. Inskeep's idea is brilliant. But it may simply extend today's politics into a new realm. With surveillance cameras, one's political views could become known to data miners simply by observing which way the money is presented. Jackson, up; Ross, down. Jeanette Rankin, down; John McCain, up. Rush Limbaugh, up; Howard Zinn, down. Soon, this would become a straw poll game. Take a deep breath. Indigenous animals would be nice and neutral, except many are going extinct. Maybe fossils or petroglyphs of already extinct mammals, like dead presidents?
Granting symbolic justice is not the purpose of our currency. Most people
are only interested in the looking at the denomination. My proposal would be replacing one General with another, Dwight Eisenhower. Native American leader
John Ross can be honored with a commemorative stamp.
are only interested in the looking at the denomination. My proposal would be replacing one General with another, Dwight Eisenhower. Native American leader
John Ross can be honored with a commemorative stamp.
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It's time for Eleanor Roosevelt.
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It's time for John Adams !
As head of the Cherokee Nation, John Ross, who owned 51 slaves, initially argued that the Cherokee should stay neutral during the Civil War, but when the South won the war's early battles, he signed a treaty of alliance with the Confederacy. He sent Cherokee regiments to fight against U.S. forces in pivotal battles, including the Battle of Pea Ridge, where the Cherokee were accused of scalping Union solders. After defeating the Confederates at Pea Ridge, the Union forces invaded Indian Territory. Soldiers of the U.S. Sixth Kansas Calvary captured and arrested Ross on July 15, 1862.
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I'd like to see Jackie Robinson on the $20 bill. Baseball is an American game,, racial injustice is part of American history (including injustice against Native Americans), and the flowering of his talents is a hallmark of the American dream.
I am disinclined to see warriors on our currency (Grant included).
I am disinclined to see warriors on our currency (Grant included).
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Replace Jackson but not with little known, Ross who did very little to advance our nation. Eleanor Roosevelt should be thus honored!
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A woman should replace Jackson, that should be more than clear. Jackson and Ross have no place on currency in 2015.
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I think we should replace cash with a federal debit card. Less paper, less bulky wallets or front pockets, less to lose or misplace. As for the picture on the card, buyers choice, you could put your own mothers mug on the thing and no one should care.
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Digital currency is the future!
"After almost a century, Jackson needs to step aside After almost a century, Jackson needs to step aside "
Really? I think there are far more important things to worry about these days. Something else to consider is the lifetime of paper and coin currency is limited. Digital is the way of the future. I hardly ever use cash anymore.
Really? I think there are far more important things to worry about these days. Something else to consider is the lifetime of paper and coin currency is limited. Digital is the way of the future. I hardly ever use cash anymore.
Why do we have to politicize our currency? Twenty dollar gold coins used to be "Double Eagles"--why not show 2 Eagles on the $20.00 bill obverse. And where has Lady Liberty gone? Wouldn't she again be an appropriate image for our coinage and/or currency?
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The 20-20 hindsight is strong in this one. It's pretty easy to look back on the people who did all the dirty work for this county with a critical eye, while holding those of much lesser renown in high esteem. All of the people mentioned as substitutes for Jackson are accomplished individuals, but they don't lack the stature of Jackson.
Let it be, I don't think it'll kill our nation to be reminded of its history, warts and all.
Let it be, I don't think it'll kill our nation to be reminded of its history, warts and all.
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If they don't lack his stature, then they have the same stature, which would warrant putting them on the bill.
Steve, do you know that the Trail of Tears began with the Choctaw Removal in 1830? Please remember that many tribes were removed to Oklahoma and those that were already here were forced to move somewhere else to make room for the removal tribes. Jackson does need to be taken off if only for the Indian Removal reason.
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I like the idea of the shared person on the bills all bills because in U.S. history we have become to be aware that it is never a straight story with just one person. All of our stories of what created this nation have two sides. I think it would help us as a nation to be aware of the two stories than we would truly have a full American History.
As long as we're changing the currency, let's retire the penny. Please. It's literally worth less than the metal it takes to make and it's annoying. Let's just round all prices to the nearest 5 cents and be done with it.
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My great-great-great-great-Uncle John Ross was of 'mixed race'? He was as much Scottish as he was Cherokee, from a Ross who fled Scotland after the '49. He was also a Harvard graduate. And the Cherokees didn't 'leave their homeland' - they were rounded up, their property, goods, monies and slaves were expropriated and they were forced marched to what became Indian Country - Oklahoma. That the Cherokee Nation survived was something of a miracle and it's something that good ol' Andy Jackson and his boys would have much preferred didn't happen.
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Isn't this whole discussion sort of like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic? Most establishments don't want to deal with bills in face amounts of $50 and up. Far more people use credit than cash, anyway, a trend which is only accelerating. But whatever; pick the favorite-du-jour and be done with it.
Speaking of the $50 bill, that where we find Ulysses S. Grant. Why? Because he's the most visible face of the victorious Union armies. And a two-term President, like another war hero, Eisenhower. Under Grant's administration, he turned Custer loose on the Plains Indians, who easily took care of that incompetent braggart, but mostly ended up on reservations by the time Grant left office. So do we have to take him off our currency, too?
Alexander Hamilton is on the $10 bill. He fought a duel. With pistols! Doesn't this send the wrong message about guns to our children? Maybe we should take him off, too. And don't get me started on that slave-owner Washington......
Speaking of the $50 bill, that where we find Ulysses S. Grant. Why? Because he's the most visible face of the victorious Union armies. And a two-term President, like another war hero, Eisenhower. Under Grant's administration, he turned Custer loose on the Plains Indians, who easily took care of that incompetent braggart, but mostly ended up on reservations by the time Grant left office. So do we have to take him off our currency, too?
Alexander Hamilton is on the $10 bill. He fought a duel. With pistols! Doesn't this send the wrong message about guns to our children? Maybe we should take him off, too. And don't get me started on that slave-owner Washington......
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How about the Adams family? John Adams never owned a slave and John Quincy Adams was a leader in the abolition movement. If Jackson is out because he is no longer PC, JQA would be a perfect replacement. And why not a collage with both presidents and First Lady Abigail to boot?
"...but used methods that stained his country’s honor..." Yea, similar to what happened under Grant ($50 bill) with the surviving Indians that made it to the West along with the ones that were already there...
Since every country in the world is, was or has been a chunk of real estate won through conquest and war at some point in human history, the 'we're here because we won it' style of land allocation...My memory needs refreshing - just which country pushed, shoved, hounded, persecuted, murdered and massacred their way into existence while still upholding the country's honor?
Since every country in the world is, was or has been a chunk of real estate won through conquest and war at some point in human history, the 'we're here because we won it' style of land allocation...My memory needs refreshing - just which country pushed, shoved, hounded, persecuted, murdered and massacred their way into existence while still upholding the country's honor?
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Jackson off, yes. But to replace him or pair him with a person whom fewer than perhaps one in a quarter million people have ever heard of? There are many Americans far more deserving of this honor than Mr Ross. Mark Twain, Duke Ellington, Clara Barton, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Robinson, Martin Luther King, Jr., Albert Einstein, Isaac Asimov...you could come up with five hundred names in an afternoon.
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Duke Ellington! America's greatest composer.
It's got to be a woman. Two women on seldom used one dollar coins is what we've got now, and that just doesn't cut it.
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John Ross not only owned slaves, but when push came to shove in 1861, he had his group of Cherokee back the Confederacy. So he wasn't OK with how the U.S. treated Native Americans, but if African-Americans were slaves, so be it.
If we're going to "solve" a problem by replacing/modifying the $20 of Bloody Andrew Jackson, we're going to have to do better than John Ross.
If we're going to "solve" a problem by replacing/modifying the $20 of Bloody Andrew Jackson, we're going to have to do better than John Ross.
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Let us look to the future, not the past. Yes, three of our dollar notes depict slave holders (Washington, Jefferson, Jackson) and could be retired. But to replace these gentlemen with their opponents (John who?) or more recent irrelevant figures (Ayn Rand or Bill Buckley on a new $3 note anyone?) is pointless. Kittens would be nice, but the dog-crowd and Audubon-set would cry foul. No, best bet is to look to the future. Or the past's version. I nominate Robbie, R2D2, 3CPO and their relatives. While we are at it how about replacing "In God We Trust" with "Warning! Warning! Danger Will Robinson!"
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Inskeep is absolutely correct about Jackson's greatest shame. But ... I have said for decades that I like my history warts and all. Not perfect great men and women, but deeply flawed people who still on the whole accomplish great things. Franklin and Jefferson owned slaves, but each did great things that helped end slavery. Washington lost most of the battles he fought, but won the war, established and enforced civilian rule, and refused to become President for Life.
Jackson was an 'Indian fighter' for most of his military career. As president, he continued that path, leading to great suffering and tragedy. A duelist and a womanizer, still he brought the West into American politics with enormous force, and changed America in many ways for the better.
Sadly, while the Cherokee were in many ways outstanding among the 500 Nations, they were not blameless. Some owned slaves and some had fought beside the British. Thus, this literate and highly structured nation was grouped by most Americans with tribes who fought Washington and with those who sided with Tecumseh in 1814. They suffered because of the overt bigotry of most of our citizens against all native peoples. Visit the museum in Cherokee, TN.
Until we remove the other flawed people from the money, Jackson should stay.
Jackson was an 'Indian fighter' for most of his military career. As president, he continued that path, leading to great suffering and tragedy. A duelist and a womanizer, still he brought the West into American politics with enormous force, and changed America in many ways for the better.
Sadly, while the Cherokee were in many ways outstanding among the 500 Nations, they were not blameless. Some owned slaves and some had fought beside the British. Thus, this literate and highly structured nation was grouped by most Americans with tribes who fought Washington and with those who sided with Tecumseh in 1814. They suffered because of the overt bigotry of most of our citizens against all native peoples. Visit the museum in Cherokee, TN.
Until we remove the other flawed people from the money, Jackson should stay.
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American coins are really ugly. The designs and portraiture is inferior to the old coinage. The portraiture on bills is sterile and brutish looking. The only bill left that is decent is the dollar bill with the exquisite portrait of Washington. Let's replace it with a sterile, brutish portrait of Bill Gates or Ronald Reagan in keeping with our national spirit of greed, ambition and shortsightedness.
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Why not put CEOs on bills, or corporations, that's who is really running the country. The Koch brothers would be a good choice, since they own most of the money anyway.
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The person who should go on the $20 is one of the Roosevelts, ideally Franklin.
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I propose to put Jackie Robinson's image on the $100 bill. The man who ended apartheid in America's national pastime should be used as the symbol for it. It would have been an empty gesture trying to convince the rest of the world that there was no racism in the United States if all the players at the highest level in its signature sport were still all white.
No. No need to change pictures of the 20 dollar bill or any other. Most people have gotten away from cash anyway, but to stupidly think that putting a new face on the 20 dollar bill means anything is nonsense. The costs of transforming the 20 dollar bill alone should make us just say no.
Really tired of the PC. There is no one you could put on the bill that wouldn't make a bunch of people feel left out. No.
Really tired of the PC. There is no one you could put on the bill that wouldn't make a bunch of people feel left out. No.
Just what we need when we should be discussion isn't really big issues a fight over who should be on the $20 bill. Folks, since most of us are getting to the point where we don't even have a $20 bill, I think we should focus on mass spying, drones, TPP, fsir wages or something more substantial.
I say this with the understanding that symbolism is important and sometimes its good to consider lighter issues but I have a nasty feeling about things like this around politicians. Lets leave the new $20 for another time.
I say this with the understanding that symbolism is important and sometimes its good to consider lighter issues but I have a nasty feeling about things like this around politicians. Lets leave the new $20 for another time.
Since our political leaders don't have the moral courage to raise taxes on the incomprehensibly wealthy 1%, let's do the truly American thing: Sell the space on the $20 and all other currency. We do it with everything else. Why not with currency?
The Gates $100. Walton $50. Koch boys can have several bills, as they are multiple multi-billionaires.
The "naming opportunity" would be term-limited, after which a new auction would be held. We would retire all the old bills, thus giving more work to the printers. Win-win.
And, finally, the truth would be obvious, as the plutocrats wouldn't just have all the money . . . they would be all the money.
The Gates $100. Walton $50. Koch boys can have several bills, as they are multiple multi-billionaires.
The "naming opportunity" would be term-limited, after which a new auction would be held. We would retire all the old bills, thus giving more work to the printers. Win-win.
And, finally, the truth would be obvious, as the plutocrats wouldn't just have all the money . . . they would be all the money.
I am part Cherokee, with male ancestors who married Native American women on both sides of my family. I love being part Cherokee. My grandfather & great grandfather married Indian maidens in mid the 1800's as they traveled West from Virginia. I don't pay much attention to who is on what bill and agree that we seldom use cash any more. However, the "Trail of Tears" was brutal and unforgivable. Let's honor President Eisenhower or Harry Truman. Both did much good despite Truman's approval of the atomic bomb.
"Determined to adapt to white civilization, Cherokees embraced white styles of clothing and agriculture. Some, including Ross, also took up slavery. "
Not entirely accurate: members of the Cherokee tribe practiced slavery before Europeans settled in the New World. They raided their weaker neighbors and took slaves. Taking slaves in raids or as tribute was common in Native American cultures, as it has been in every culture, historically.
The Cherokee tribe joined the Confederacy when the Civil War broke out. Tribal members owned a tremendous amount of African slaves at that point. Slavery was a significant economic activity for the tribe.
This issue reverberates today, since some Americans who identify themselves as a mix of African American and Cherokee are not allowed by the tribe to be members of the tribe, or to share in gambling revenues.
Removing Jackson from the Twenty sounds like a good idea. Perhaps you can find someone who was not a slave owner to replace him, however. How about Fannie Lou Hamer?
Not entirely accurate: members of the Cherokee tribe practiced slavery before Europeans settled in the New World. They raided their weaker neighbors and took slaves. Taking slaves in raids or as tribute was common in Native American cultures, as it has been in every culture, historically.
The Cherokee tribe joined the Confederacy when the Civil War broke out. Tribal members owned a tremendous amount of African slaves at that point. Slavery was a significant economic activity for the tribe.
This issue reverberates today, since some Americans who identify themselves as a mix of African American and Cherokee are not allowed by the tribe to be members of the tribe, or to share in gambling revenues.
Removing Jackson from the Twenty sounds like a good idea. Perhaps you can find someone who was not a slave owner to replace him, however. How about Fannie Lou Hamer?
All this arguing over why him, why not her, why is he even there? A lot of noise about nothing. Let's just bite the bullet and sell the space as very high-priced monthly advertising to American corporations whether they keep their money here or not. I'm sure there'd be more than enough interest to raise a heck of a lot of revenue every thirty days, and the auction would be quite lively. In this way, our currency would finally catch up with our politics. Who wouldn't want to see the corporate logo of a bailed-out bank, that also happened to be lobbying Congress that month, smack in the middle of the hundred dollar bill?
1
Surely we can find a transgender person in American history for the honor of being on the $20 bill?
If we are going to rewrite history to accommodate our current sensibilities, why hold back?
If we are going to rewrite history to accommodate our current sensibilities, why hold back?
1
Yes get Jackson off the $20 bill!
I'd like to offer my suggestion for a replacement, and start by dismissing all, "it must be a woman" arguments as single issue, fad-based, and relatively difficult to fulfill. Women should absolutely be considered, but not mandatory. History is what it is and the numbers of important characters speaks for itself.
So, I nominate - Mark Twain!
He was many good things but most of all Twain was quintessential American, with powerful sense of justice in the face of corrupt power. Furthermore Twain is as visually striking as Jackson, a numismatic plus.
I'd like to offer my suggestion for a replacement, and start by dismissing all, "it must be a woman" arguments as single issue, fad-based, and relatively difficult to fulfill. Women should absolutely be considered, but not mandatory. History is what it is and the numbers of important characters speaks for itself.
So, I nominate - Mark Twain!
He was many good things but most of all Twain was quintessential American, with powerful sense of justice in the face of corrupt power. Furthermore Twain is as visually striking as Jackson, a numismatic plus.
3
"We should be adding diverse figures to our money"
Why? This article reads like PC gone overboard. Jackson was a great president who stood up to the establishment and championed the common man. He freed the country from the stranglehold of eastern bankers. His presidency was as transformative as any. He certainly had flaws, but so does everyone.
Why? This article reads like PC gone overboard. Jackson was a great president who stood up to the establishment and championed the common man. He freed the country from the stranglehold of eastern bankers. His presidency was as transformative as any. He certainly had flaws, but so does everyone.
2
Exactly. I learned in elementary school that Andrew Jackson was the first president not from Virginia or Massachusetts. It took nearly 50 years for that to happen. That made his Presidency special and a sign of diversity and maturity for the US at that time. So maybe there is a Politically Correct reason for him being on our currency; it's just a shame it's not taught in the school anymore (I assume, based on Steve Inskeep's article).
The Trail Of Tears was the result of the only time that congress and the President joined with the voters to ignore the Supreme Court. Maybe the people who wrote the Constitution were wise in making the Supreme Court the highest legal authority and not giving a supermajority of congress plus the president the authority to overturn a Supreme Court decision.
Maybe people without law degrees and think they are smarter than the Supreme Court are fooling themselves. Maybe those appointed to the Supreme Court are smarter than the general public and politicians who try to pack the court.
Maybe people without law degrees and think they are smarter than the Supreme Court are fooling themselves. Maybe those appointed to the Supreme Court are smarter than the general public and politicians who try to pack the court.
It is time for a woman to be on our currency.
2
There is probably a good reason to honor just about anyone by putting them on a bill, coin, or stamp, naming a road, airport, building, manhole, or even privy after them, etc. And there probably is just as good a reason to not honor that same person accordingly...
And after all is said and done ... most people won't have a clue who it is that has his/her/... picture on the $20 or why it's there... "Andrew Jackson? Maybe he had something to do with the Jackson 5?" ... And if you think I'm being snarky ... as a part of The Big Dig here in Boston they built a new bridge over the Charles and named it the Zakim Bridge ... ask any of the commuters who Zakim is or was ....
And after all is said and done ... most people won't have a clue who it is that has his/her/... picture on the $20 or why it's there... "Andrew Jackson? Maybe he had something to do with the Jackson 5?" ... And if you think I'm being snarky ... as a part of The Big Dig here in Boston they built a new bridge over the Charles and named it the Zakim Bridge ... ask any of the commuters who Zakim is or was ....
I have forty years' research on the Age of Jackson from the viewpoint of his biggest rival; please let me tell our family's side of a 200 year old story!
Certainly the time has come to replace the images of humans with the logos of Corporations, the real movers and shakers of our world. Look around you and realize that everything in your environment is made possible by Corporations and without them you and your family would be living in a cave. Besides, they own the Presidents and Congressmen these days. One might think, let's keep the old guys on the bills to remind us of what once was American Democracy, but this is nostalgic wishing and out of synch with the new American Oligarchy.
One thing is clear - if Jackson is replaced, the person or thing replacing him should have near universal recognition, not an eyebrow-raising "who??" This eliminates most of the alternatives. Anyone up for Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck - I mean Donald Trump (he would actually be better on the half-penny)?
One thing is clear - if Jackson is replaced, the person or thing replacing him should have near universal recognition, not an eyebrow-raising "who??" This eliminates most of the alternatives. Anyone up for Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck - I mean Donald Trump (he would actually be better on the half-penny)?
1
To put it simply, Jackson was a thug who destroyed his memory forever with his treatment of the Indians, and not just the Cherokees. He did it during a time when most Americans lived with a stone dead conscience. They could not feel the anguish of enslaved blacks, and were deaf the the mourning of the Indian tribes forced west. But now we see things differently. Every time I look at a twenty dollar bill, I cringe at the memory of what Jackson did. Get his face out of sight and reward us with the face of a true American hero.
It's good to talk about replacing the faces on the greenback, but why don't we wait until after the 2016 election, after which all of the readers' healthy suggestions can be widely discussed and carefully considered or, if the GOP takes the presidency and Congress, we can just have Jesus Christ on the front of everything.
1
Take Jackson off the $20 and Hamilton off the $10 and replace them with Teddy Roosevelt and Clara Barton
1
The $20 bill has an elevated status these days and the bill itself would like to replace Jackson with a picture of its principal benefactor, the ATM machine.
We should put the Koch brothers or Sheldon Adelson on the $20, to show what this country really stands for.
8
His troops massacred Indians. He coerced Native Americans into surrendering land through unjust treaties. He signed the Indian Removal Act, supporting a policy to push all natives west of the Mississippi, when 13,000 Cherokees left their homeland in the Appalachians. Another was a war against Florida’s Seminoles, lasting nearly as long as the war in Iraq.
Jackson and his friends obtained slices of Cherokee real estate for personal profit, and colonized the land with lucrative cotton plantations worked by slaves.
We should wonder why such a person was ever honored in any form in the first place. It is way passed time to put Jackson in his place - far back in the past.
Jackson and his friends obtained slices of Cherokee real estate for personal profit, and colonized the land with lucrative cotton plantations worked by slaves.
We should wonder why such a person was ever honored in any form in the first place. It is way passed time to put Jackson in his place - far back in the past.
1
I'm calling for Mao, Stalin, Lenin, and Jane Fonda to be on our currency.
Might as well.
Might as well.
2
With the top 10% owning 80% of the wealth in this country you are intimating that we are a communist nation? What a laugh.
1
LEAVE IT BE. it would cost less to get the dust off the history books and teach people WHY people were chosen to be on the money.
1
I like the idea of twinning figures on the currency as a way to further our drive to bring political correctness to every corner of American life. But pairing John Ross with Old Hickory might be a dubious place to start, as anyone who has researched Ross's role in Cherokee tribal murders and assassinations could attest.
There is a more logical place to start: The $50, where Ulysses Grant could be twinned with Robert E. Lee.
There is a more logical place to start: The $50, where Ulysses Grant could be twinned with Robert E. Lee.
1
Most of us would just like to have money in our wallets and savings vehicles. I'm not paying that much attention to the person on it.
2
Nice idea. While we''re at it, could we do away with paper and move to mylar? paper deteriorates rather quickly and is easier to counterfeit. Other countries already use mylar or other synthetics for their "paper" currency.
If you want to scrub Andrew Jackson from the $20 bill because he was a slaveholder, you would then need to remove George Washington from the $1 bill because he was also a slaveholder; ditto for President Monroe ($10 bill) and perhaps President Grant ($50 bill).
1
Yeah, remove President Monroe from the $10, and James Buchanan should be removed from the $800 bill.
And what about this Alexander Hamilton guy anyway? Maybe he should be on money, but only because he created the Department of the Treasury. Maybe he could replace Marilyn's great-grandfather James Monroe on the $10 bill :^))
And what about this Alexander Hamilton guy anyway? Maybe he should be on money, but only because he created the Department of the Treasury. Maybe he could replace Marilyn's great-grandfather James Monroe on the $10 bill :^))
Knowing the history of Jackson I am not a huge fan. He is a very polarizing controversial figure. Should he be on the $20, probably not. Are there more deserving people, probably so? I am not however a fan of replacing him just to add a minority. Are there deserving minorities, absolutely, but there are people who did great things for this country who really deserve that spot. Either Teddy or Franklin Roosevelt, Ike, Pershing, Adams, Monroe, Madison, John Paul Jones, Decatur, McCarther, Einstein, heck even Lafayette! Put Martin Luther King on there is you want. I get Rosa Parks is an important but come on? Eleanor Roosevelt? Sacagawea? I mean how can their accomplishments compare?
Louis Armstrong should be on the 20 dollar bill and the national anthem should be changed to "What a wonderful life"; just saying.
1
What a Wonderful World it would be if we all sang "What a Wonderful Life" at baseball games (does anyone know the tune to that?)
In jest, perhaps selling the "real estate" of the currency to the highest corporate bidder as advertizing space ...the $1 bill brought to you by Citibank...the $20 by AT&T....seems to fit right in with our evolving societal norm that everything is available for corporate sponsorship and the advertizing dollar.
Our currency represents our history and the founding of our country. None of the founding fathers acted in a way that was considered egregious or even outside the mainstream in his time. Washington, Jefferson, and the rest (with a few notable exceptions, i.e. Ben Franklin) were large landowners and slave owners. This does not take away from the fact that they founded this country. Without them, there is no "us."
If we want to represent someone who fought against the Indian Removal Act, we should put David (Davy) Crockett on the twenty dollar bill. He fought against the act in Congress and stumped against it across the country at the time. He knew it was wrong and he tried to do something about it.
Creating mythological heroes is not honoring history. In spite of the myths that have grown up around him, Crockett actually fought for Indian rights. He died defending freedom at the Alamo. If anybody deserves to replace Jackson, it is Crockett, who fought in the army with Jackson before becoming his adversary in Congress, working to defend the rights of American Indians against his former commander.
Crockett never owned a slave and lived by his maxim, "Be sure you're right, then go ahead!" That's a real history we should all get behind!
If we want to represent someone who fought against the Indian Removal Act, we should put David (Davy) Crockett on the twenty dollar bill. He fought against the act in Congress and stumped against it across the country at the time. He knew it was wrong and he tried to do something about it.
Creating mythological heroes is not honoring history. In spite of the myths that have grown up around him, Crockett actually fought for Indian rights. He died defending freedom at the Alamo. If anybody deserves to replace Jackson, it is Crockett, who fought in the army with Jackson before becoming his adversary in Congress, working to defend the rights of American Indians against his former commander.
Crockett never owned a slave and lived by his maxim, "Be sure you're right, then go ahead!" That's a real history we should all get behind!
4
To paraphrase Adam Smith, the dead care little about what we think of them. So, no harm done if Jackson and Ross are put face to face. According to Oresme (c1370) moneys have a symbolic quality. The current $20 bill symbolizing established democracy induces a trustful emotion in its holder, consumerist passivity. A $20 Jackson-Ross face-off would remind holders of their market powers, thus enhancing the efficiency of social outcomes.
I'm quite surprised that Mr. Inskeep blew past the "Womenon20s" movement ( http://www.womenon20s.org/ ) and that Wilma Mankiller is a candidate that represents many of the issues raised in the essay. It feels too much as though, yet again, even someone with a rather wide world view is a bit blind to women in history and otherwise.
Why, exactly, do we need to continue to recognize, even prioritize those men whom we know to be highly problematic representations of our ideals, especially those who owned human beings and killed Native peoples with abandon? As with more examples than just Jackson, "The story is even worse than is generally known."
His overall point--that individuals on our currency do not tend to represent the best examples of American ideals of liberty and equality and that democracy allows for a variety of viewpoints--is addressed in the Womenon20s campaign.
Jackson does not deserve to remain on the $20 bill, whether John Ross, Wilma Mankiller, or any other more-worthy candidate is depicted. And I'll add: not all of "our forebears were often thrashing toward the light." Many aided darkness.
Why, exactly, do we need to continue to recognize, even prioritize those men whom we know to be highly problematic representations of our ideals, especially those who owned human beings and killed Native peoples with abandon? As with more examples than just Jackson, "The story is even worse than is generally known."
His overall point--that individuals on our currency do not tend to represent the best examples of American ideals of liberty and equality and that democracy allows for a variety of viewpoints--is addressed in the Womenon20s campaign.
Jackson does not deserve to remain on the $20 bill, whether John Ross, Wilma Mankiller, or any other more-worthy candidate is depicted. And I'll add: not all of "our forebears were often thrashing toward the light." Many aided darkness.
Let's waste more money on a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. Paper currency will most likely be a relic of the past in a few years, so why waste any effort on it now.
2
He should have never been on the bill to begin with. Just his inhumanity alone explains the obvious reason.
The 1860 Census Slave Schedule showed John Ross owned 51 slaves. Like Andrew Jackson, John Ross was an "Indian Fighter." He fought with Jackson against the Creeks at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. Like Jackson, Ross was a slave owner. The 1860 Census Slave Schedule showed he owned 51 slaves. As head of the Cherokee Nation, Ross urged the Cherokee to stay neutral during the Civil War, but acquiesced to the Cherokee majority by declaring an alliance with the Confederacy
Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Remove Act in 1830. In 1864, Abraham Lincoln, who is on the five-dollar bill, signed orders forcing the Navajo to move from their ancestral land to Bosque Redondo in eastern New Mexico. Hundreds of Navajos died on the "Long Walk," the Navajo equivalent of the Cherokee "Trail of Tears."
Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Remove Act in 1830. In 1864, Abraham Lincoln, who is on the five-dollar bill, signed orders forcing the Navajo to move from their ancestral land to Bosque Redondo in eastern New Mexico. Hundreds of Navajos died on the "Long Walk," the Navajo equivalent of the Cherokee "Trail of Tears."
Yes, Jackson was all that and more. BUT, he stared down John Calhoun and Nullification and established that no state was above the Federal government, which justified Lincoln and the Civil War. No President was all good or bad - even Nixon set up the EPA. This is a no win argument - even if it was agreed to put a native American on the $20, (and it won't be because women will want a women and Blacks a Black and ...) - there will still be arguments about exactly who it should be. This is basically the equivalent of arguing who belongs in the Hall of Fame. (Shoeless Joe yes, Pete Rose no.)
2
Good piece and doable suggestions. Personally, I detest Jackson and his poisonous policy when it came to Indians and slavery. But he is part of US history and there's no sense in pretending he didn't play a big part in the building of the country. So yes, let's consider Steve Inskeep's suggestions seriously. Of course, the current clowns occupying the House & Senate aren't likely to do anything so sensible.
Yes, substitute John Ross. It should be known that his descendant, Gayle Ross, is a well-known storyteller who honors her tradition.
I find it interesting that Mr. Inskeep uses the Woman on the 20 by 2020 campaign to suggest we put two men on the bill. Apparently the diversity of views in this nation is well represented without a single woman.
Ah, but a woman can be on another bill? No. The campaign to put a woman on the bill is now. Women are always asked to wait. Waiting until 2020 is waiting long enough.
Ah, but a woman can be on another bill? No. The campaign to put a woman on the bill is now. Women are always asked to wait. Waiting until 2020 is waiting long enough.
Most people don't know anything about Andrew Jackson. So it doesn't matter that he is on the $20 bill, since for most people he's just a face. But if more people knew what he did to the Aborigines, I'd be first in line to boot his face off the $20 bill.
That said, if we change the face on the $20 bill, I'd like to see a scientist's or an engineer's.
Politicians have a minimal impact in how we live, at least in the long run. It is the technology that really defines us.
Look at Germany, Russia, and the USA. During WWII the leaders were Hitler, Stalin, and Roosevelt. Going back further, they had different leaders. Today, the typical middle class person in all three countries have fairly similar lives. Why? Because, ultimately, in the long run, human culture and how we live is largely determined by the science and technology created by our scientists and engineers; not by our politicians, no matter how great or awful they may be.
That said, if we change the face on the $20 bill, I'd like to see a scientist's or an engineer's.
Politicians have a minimal impact in how we live, at least in the long run. It is the technology that really defines us.
Look at Germany, Russia, and the USA. During WWII the leaders were Hitler, Stalin, and Roosevelt. Going back further, they had different leaders. Today, the typical middle class person in all three countries have fairly similar lives. Why? Because, ultimately, in the long run, human culture and how we live is largely determined by the science and technology created by our scientists and engineers; not by our politicians, no matter how great or awful they may be.
Jackson was a notorious hard money man. He didn't trust paper money and defunded the Bank of the US in the 1830s. Its ironic that he is on the 20 dollar bill. The crimes and abuses Andrew Jackson perpetrated are overlooked because of his nationalism and supposed bringing democracy to all white males. Arthur Schlesinger wrote a ringing biography for which he won the Pulitzer Prize in the late 1940s. Jackson was a hero that led to Lincoln's victory in 1860. It was the inevitable victory of democracy over slavery. Harry Truman thought Jackson was a fine role model for his personal behavior when he was president. Jackson's white supremacism was a prime ingredient of Manifest Destiny that still bedevils the country to this day. The myth of Jackson has certainly been debunked.
I'm sick of you Social Justice Warriors. History is what it is. Leave Pres. Jackson on the twenty-dollar bill. With your Social Justice Warrior logic, you might as well take most of the founding-fathers off their respective bills because they were slave-owners.
Go find a real cause to fight for, like providing potable water in Africa or stopping hunger in America. So sick of SJWs.
Go find a real cause to fight for, like providing potable water in Africa or stopping hunger in America. So sick of SJWs.
4
Franklin Roosevelt would be a good replacement for Andrew Jackson in terms of significance in our history. He unified our country and lead it through two great national challenges and into an era where our people regardless of advantages and disadvantages improved their lives and were able to provide a better country for their children and a result.
1
I don’t know why the depictions have to be permanent. Why not change them every decade – a decade honoring inventors, followed by a decade depicting women, then civil rights leaders, landmarks, natural wonders, American artists, iconic movies. [“I was born during the American Foods decade.” Seriously, what’s wrong with the hamburger on the $5 bill? What could be more quintessentially American?] The Treasury Department could organize a competition, a poll. And at least no one would be offended for long by someone or something depicted. And certainly different sizes and predominant colors would be helpful for everyone. A regularly changing currency would certainly be more interesting to numismatists. If the post office can regularly issue new first-class stamps, what's wrong with the Mint? Let’s put a little fun in the money!
If Jackson is replaced, we should go ahead and take Kennedy, TR, and FDR off our tender and coinage and replace them with Reagan and other Republicans.
1
One of the advantages of US currency is its STABLITILY. Do not even think about changing the portraits on wonderful paper bills.
Political correctness is a sheer nonsense in many contexts but this would be a complete lunacy.
History of the USA is complicated and opinions on significant people (now known as 'celebrities') keeps changing.
Do not touch $20 bill design!
Political correctness is a sheer nonsense in many contexts but this would be a complete lunacy.
History of the USA is complicated and opinions on significant people (now known as 'celebrities') keeps changing.
Do not touch $20 bill design!
3
It's time we had a woman on our currency. No more waiting.
Harriet Tubman gave a lifetime of service to our country, in extremely dangerous conditions. Her efforts at building this nation should be recognized too. She belongs on the $20.
http://www.womenon20s.org/harriet_tubman
Harriet Tubman gave a lifetime of service to our country, in extremely dangerous conditions. Her efforts at building this nation should be recognized too. She belongs on the $20.
http://www.womenon20s.org/harriet_tubman
3
Definitely a Native American. John Ross is a great choice.
There is an amazing photograph of John Ross on Wikipedia, which would be right at home on the $20: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ross_(Cherokee_chief)#/media/File:John...
A few bones to pick with this article. Martin Van Buren the President in 1938, when the Trail of Tears happened. Yes, Jackson enacted the Indian Removal Act, but Van Buren was the commander of the federal troops who marched the Indians 116 days without rest or supplies. Also, John Ross was a slave owner, so there is that.
Multiple people on one bill might make some weird statements, but it would be interesting to have different versions of the twenty, one with Jackson and one with Ross, etc.
A few bones to pick with this article. Martin Van Buren the President in 1938, when the Trail of Tears happened. Yes, Jackson enacted the Indian Removal Act, but Van Buren was the commander of the federal troops who marched the Indians 116 days without rest or supplies. Also, John Ross was a slave owner, so there is that.
Multiple people on one bill might make some weird statements, but it would be interesting to have different versions of the twenty, one with Jackson and one with Ross, etc.
Actually, I nominate Elizabeth Cady Stanton, one of those who began the 72-year long struggle to obtain the vote for women. Why Ms. Stanton? Because the women's suffrage movement still ranks as the most democratic movement in American history. For the first and unfortunately only time, half the population was enfranchised without any loss of life. And this was accomplished by solely democratic, non-violent means -- by hundreds of petitions and thousands of thousands of letters to state legislatures, by speeches to townspeople all across the country, by parades and picketing, and by enduring imprisonment and force-feeding, That this success is not thoroughly taught as a major part of American history and as the lesson in how to achieve change by democratic means just proves how badly women's accomplishments are ignored.
Also worthy of nomination are: Pearl Buck for her foresighted recognition that we are one world, for opening the West's eyes to Chinese life, for her work for racial equality and for saving mixed race children; and Martin Luther King, Jr. for his leadership of the civil rights movement.
Also worthy of nomination are: Pearl Buck for her foresighted recognition that we are one world, for opening the West's eyes to Chinese life, for her work for racial equality and for saving mixed race children; and Martin Luther King, Jr. for his leadership of the civil rights movement.
3
As long as I'm forced to circulate a religious message that I don't endorse every time I handle money, I'm really not too interested in whose picture is on it.
1
By today's standards Jackson deserves criticism for the way he treated the Cherokees, but it's good to remember that the Cherokees fought on the side of the British when young Jackson was fighting the Revolutionary War. Jackson was captured, starved and brutalized by the British, whom he blamed for the deaths of two brothers and his mother. Scots-Irish have long memories. He got his revenge on the British at the Battle of New Orleans. He got his revenge on their allies with the Trail of Tears.
1
Stop trying to be PC about everything. Leave America and its institutions alone. Go live somewhere else if all you think of is how to rearrange things in the most successful nation in the world. If American institutions bother you, LEAVE!
3
How about Tecumseh? or Red Jacket? Both much better known than John Ross.
I support your suggestions. As an anthropology scholar I worked with Creeks and Seminoles and reviewed Cherokee history as well. We need to acknowledge our history, the good and the bad in our schools and in symbolism such as you suggest in currency. Until we face and embrace our past we can not move forward! The $20 bill is as good as any place to start
11
This editorial is that rare example of reasonable, informed balance, and shows how we can depart from fixed ideologies and positions to arrive at something in the general vicinity of factual truth. May all political, gender and cultural dialogues (if they every occur) keep to this path.
2
Get Hamilton off the $10. He wasn't even a President, he was a monarchist, and thought that Senators and the President should have their positions for life. Hard to justify placing his face on a bill when he wasn't in favor of how most of this country was to be run.
Of course, the best idea would be to put private banks back in charge of private money, as opposed to the Federal government (i.e., the Prince) deciding what money you're allowed to use.
Of course, the best idea would be to put private banks back in charge of private money, as opposed to the Federal government (i.e., the Prince) deciding what money you're allowed to use.
1
I'm not sure what Jackson did for US to begin with, but FDR seems like a more logical choice.
Better yet, scrap ALL politicians from the currency - coins and paper notes alike - even including Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson. Replace them either with America's landmarks or Americans whose accomplishments we can all recognize: maybe the Wright brothers (who says it cannot be two portraits side by side?), James Watson and Francis Crick, Martin Luther King Jr., Thomas Edison, Neil Armstrong, or perhaps Mark Twain, maybe Harriet Tubman, and so on. And there would be room to have people of both sexes and all races in there. Exclude politicians and military leaders, but otherwise let the discussion begin.
1
Everybody's got their favorite; I'd want Jean Shepherd, Jack Benny, John W. "Johnny" Carson, and maybe Steve Allen or Joan Rivers on our currency. Then I'd smile every time I paid for something.
1
Given that we have so many underfunded social services and insufficient funds to repair and upgrade our crumbing infrastructure is this issue really where we need to be expending energy and funds right now?
2
It makes a lot of sense. Jackson must go, a ruthless individual towards the natives of North America.
An important reminder that real history is messy. Too many of our legislators would prefer "feel good" history.
2
What would be more American in corporate spirit than Mickey Mouse? Something that conveys the real depth and breath of our high culture and aspirations of life's deepest truths.
Oh, that's right, Disney's copyright. How apropos.
Oh, that's right, Disney's copyright. How apropos.
2
Who? Come on -- go big -- Hillary, although we could wait until she is president. Could be Obama -- he's a first for the US. When my friends in Europe criticize the US for electing Bush the second time, I say well look at who we elected president. Want to send a message about education -- how about Einstein?
1
So...Steve Inskeep is writing a book about Jackson and Ross, so we should all seriously consider changing our currency to reflect his pet project? This is so transparently self-serving. I like the way you casually mention the fact that Ross was also a slave owner, so we'd have two slave owners on the $20 bill instead of one, great.
I'm with the movement to put a non-slave owning woman on the $20, or simply bumping up Washington(another slave owner, unfortunately) if we eliminate the $1, which we probably should. But if it's a woman, I'd say it should be Harriet Tubman or the woman who guided Lewis and Clark across the continent(I know her name but don't want to misspell it). Both are from the post-Revolutionary/pre-Civil War period which is apparently required to be represented on the $20, according to Mr. Inskeep, so we'll at least have that.
I'm with the movement to put a non-slave owning woman on the $20, or simply bumping up Washington(another slave owner, unfortunately) if we eliminate the $1, which we probably should. But if it's a woman, I'd say it should be Harriet Tubman or the woman who guided Lewis and Clark across the continent(I know her name but don't want to misspell it). Both are from the post-Revolutionary/pre-Civil War period which is apparently required to be represented on the $20, according to Mr. Inskeep, so we'll at least have that.
1
Obviously this isn't going to happen, mostly because John Ross wasn't a leader of the United States. But why not regularly rotate long-dead presidents? Zachary Taylor can finally have a occasional day in the sun. And encourage the United States government to find some talented engravers. There are Pacific island nations with more artfully-composed currencies than ours and populations smaller than the local mall.
1
It seems to me that people are becoming a little weary with the injection of race into every topic as if it was always the key factor. This mad dash that is usually cynically politicalized often forced and disingenuous to make amends for slavery and Jim Crow by renaming schools, unbalancing textbooks, changing currency etc. is becoming absurd and makes us look pandering and foolish.
Rather than choosing currently fashionable racial or ethnic groups to place upon our currency thus creating more divisiveness why not instead select great themes in American history that were constructive, should sacrifice and unity and made people lives better.
Why not something like Edison’s invention of the electric light or the Marines raising the flag atop Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima? Both American events that have little to do with racial one-upmanship.
Rather than choosing currently fashionable racial or ethnic groups to place upon our currency thus creating more divisiveness why not instead select great themes in American history that were constructive, should sacrifice and unity and made people lives better.
Why not something like Edison’s invention of the electric light or the Marines raising the flag atop Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima? Both American events that have little to do with racial one-upmanship.
3
I agree, but having the Marines raising the flag won't work because its racist against Japanese, and glorifies violence. The only alternative for the left is someone from a previously oppressed group. Frankly I think this is a non-issue, who is on the $20 bill it not THAT important. Cash is on the way out anyway. Whether Jackson or some Native American is on the bill won't matter when everyone is paying digitally.
Andrew Jackson defaces American history and the American story so his face ought to be removed from our currency.
He should be replaced on the $20 bill by a woman. More than half of living Americans are women, more than half of those who ever lived are women. It is high time our currency recognized that fact.
It is also high time we came to terms with the face that Jackson practiced genocide. He didn't just aim to take Indian land. He aimed to kill all the Indians and he is responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of them. In today's world, he is a mass murderer.
He should be replaced on the $20 bill by a woman. More than half of living Americans are women, more than half of those who ever lived are women. It is high time our currency recognized that fact.
It is also high time we came to terms with the face that Jackson practiced genocide. He didn't just aim to take Indian land. He aimed to kill all the Indians and he is responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of them. In today's world, he is a mass murderer.
1
Why does the currency need to be a paean to people or accomplishments or anything for that matter? I vote for a purely utilitarian currency in different colors and sizes.
1
Oh please! Can we have NOTHING in this world that doesn't have a political message attached? We can't eat a meal without discussing where the food came from and under what conditions it was grown. Our cars and appliances must meet some PC requirement. You name it, it has an agenda!
Just leave the money as is. Money should have pictures of dead people - not someone who makes someone's blood pressure rise every time he uses it to pay for something.
Just leave the money as is. Money should have pictures of dead people - not someone who makes someone's blood pressure rise every time he uses it to pay for something.
4
Twentieth President James Garfield, a Civil War veteran and assasinated President.
Just a minute! South Carolina claims Andy Jackson as one of its own; and he did live here too. So for that matter did Woodrow Wilson but we want nothing to do with that late-age bigot. I'm fine with Ross on a flip side as long as Old Hickory remains prominent on the face side. He was a good president for the times and would be seen as a populist in today's. Didn't matter how much horse manure on your boots you were still welcomed in his White House.
1
When i started reading this, I thought, who cares, how boring. But reading on changed my mind. This is a very good article, and the proposal to put antagonists on two sides of bills is a good idea, for exactly the reason the author suggests.
3
Take Jackson off and put Martin Luther King on.
2
With the way the Feds are printing money, and the short term debt fast approaching 20 Trillion, I suggest the portrait of Alfred E. Newman be placed on the $20 bill...........if not on all the bills.
99.99% of the money the feds "print" is digital. Just a number in the banks computers.
Yes, he should absolutely stay on the bill. If not...when do we start replacing our visionary founders and early statesmen with TV personalities, political flavors of the day, or better yet, ads?
3
What is so bizarre about this discussion is that Jackson was so adamant about not having the kind of banking we have now (and in my opinion we still shouldn't have), and yet here he is, gracing the Fed's $20 bill. He's probably turning over in his grave.
2
It is beyond time for the women who also shaped this country to be recognized in a very very public way. Let's start allowing women to share our memorials and our currency and our building names, etc. Good gravy we are more than half the population!
3
Be careful what you wish for.
Keep in mind that we have a Congress of filled with true believers, and they're going to rush to fulfill their craving to erect graven images of their deities if you give them half an opportunity.
I, for one, do not wish to see Ronald Reagan's visage peering at me every time I open my wallet, or to have my pockets filled with coins stamped with Ayn Rand's mug. So, maybe we should hold off on this sort of contentious beauty contest, eh?
Of course, the better answer is just to go fully digital, and dump the currency entirely. If you want St. Ronald's picture on your credit card, well, be my guest!
Keep in mind that we have a Congress of filled with true believers, and they're going to rush to fulfill their craving to erect graven images of their deities if you give them half an opportunity.
I, for one, do not wish to see Ronald Reagan's visage peering at me every time I open my wallet, or to have my pockets filled with coins stamped with Ayn Rand's mug. So, maybe we should hold off on this sort of contentious beauty contest, eh?
Of course, the better answer is just to go fully digital, and dump the currency entirely. If you want St. Ronald's picture on your credit card, well, be my guest!
let's put John Paul George and Ringo on it.
2
How about our greatest minds instead of politicians: Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein.
1
I love this idea.
Eventually we will deem everyone from this era to be unpalatable. Everyone that is for whom records exist. What were John Ross's opinion of the role of women, or his attitude to African Americans? Will they rule him out in the future?
1
Rotate the pictures. Just as we do with postage stamps issue limited editions of a bill. For example, put Eleanor Roosevelt's picture on the $20 bill this year, someone else's picture next year. John Adams could be on the $5 bill this year, and maybe an American inventor the next year. . ..
1
Jackson should stay. He fought the second charter of the ,private, central bank and gave this country almost a century of unprecedented growth with unusurois currency. He is and will remain a hero of the people.
Red Cloud the leader of the Oglala Lakota Sioux would be a appropriate choice he is quoted as saying, "The made us many promises, more then I can remember,But they only kept but one--They promised to take outr land ... and they took it."
1
the more you know about American history, the prettier it ain't. Taking Andrew Johnson off of the $20 bill won't change the fact that our nation was forged by massive injustice continuing to this day. Better to leave the money alone, but spend it on better history education. A great nation has nothing to fear in self-knowledge.
In a word, NO. The man was a blatant racist!! Remove his vile self from our currency MLK, would get my vote!
1
I wonder that if the Native American suggestion had been "Wilbur' Womenkiller, would that pass the smell test with the other gender?
Why not Elias Boudinot, the editor of the Cherokee Phoenix?
Time for a woman on our paper bills. Long overdue. The contribution that women have made throughout our history is overlooked in our history books and in our culture- i.e. museums.
the battle of new Orleans might've been nice on Jackson's resume but it was won after the war had officially ended. it didn't change anything except to the lives of the unfortunates on both sides who were killed or maimed.
1
Andrew Jackson the slave owner and trader was a politician, whose thought processes were typical of many that rule today in many respects. Leave him on the $20 bill to remind the nation of what you can get when you step up to the voting machine.
I will put my reply in four short words, "I like the concept."
Reagan on the $20. He saved the USA and the world - he's a hero.
1
It's money, not a history lesson. How about some non-politicians? Duke Ellington, Babe Ruth, Amelia Earhart, Thomas Edison, etc. Music, sports, adventure, and science.
Great suggestion with Amelia Earhart.
No, we must find an appropriate LGBT representative for the 20. And maybe make the bill rainbow colored. I'm sure that would make a lot of folks feel like they are no longer repressed here in America.
2
Beautiful and insightful perspective. Lucid and balanced approach and democratically undivided. Well done!
Thomas Paine more than anyone needs to be on a bill. His 'Common Sense' brought the colonists together and emboldened them to stand up against the King. His 'These are the times that try men's souls . . . ' was read aloud to rally the troops before they entered the crucial battle for Trenton. His 'Rights of Man' defended the beginnings of Republican government and social welfare and did more to defend the French revolution and also bring change with British government than anything else. His 'Agrarian Justice' is as applicable today as then in bringing to light the debt that the rich owe to the whole, and not just to their heirs. His incredibly brave 'Age of Reason' is even today a wake up call to save the future from religious extremists of all stripes. No other human of his times spoke of the rights of slaves, women and native Americans. No other human in history was so widely read in his day and whose works are still so timely. He never profited from his writings but donated much to the war cause. He was truly a citizen of the world. Progressive modern civilization owes more the Thomas Paine having lived than any other human. And not a monument in Washington DC honoring him. If there ever were a saint, Paine is one.
1
Anyone who wants to get rid of their Jacksons can send them to "Jake Linco, Chicago" at this post. I'll replace them with John Ross 20s the day they are minted...
No! His presidency represents everything we are trying to correct in a democratic society. The Trail of Tears was a form of genocide against Native Americans--so why would we want him on our currency? Besides, he wasn't that great a president. Do us a big favor, and get him off!
How ridiculous to put someone the vast majority of Americans have never even heard of on our currency! Pure PC madness.
Well, well. Keeping Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill may not be something we would cheer, but having the picture of a white male who ruthlessly fought for his advantage, wasn't deterred by supreme court judgements against him and was, to an extent, drenched in blood because he followed a profit-driven agenda, is a fitting image to put on our money, even if it's not an uplifting one.
1
Hamilton certainly doesn't live up to the greatness of Washington, Lincoln or even Grant and replacing him is long overdue.
However, the call for we must have a woman on the $20 or a black or a native American defeats the purpose of those honored...ie putting somebody on the $20 because of their gender or race instead of on their greatness.
We have to think out of the box...pairings is certainly an example of that....ie..putting new people on without taking old leaders off (Hamilton an exception)...
However, the call for we must have a woman on the $20 or a black or a native American defeats the purpose of those honored...ie putting somebody on the $20 because of their gender or race instead of on their greatness.
We have to think out of the box...pairings is certainly an example of that....ie..putting new people on without taking old leaders off (Hamilton an exception)...
1
Certainly the time has come to replace the images of humans with the logos of Corporations, the real movers and shakers of our world. Look around you and realize that everything in your environment is made possible by Corporations and without them you and your family would be living in a cave. Besides, they own the Presidents and Congressmen these days. One might think, let's keep the old guys on the bills to remind us of what once was American Democracy, but this is nostalgic wishing and out of synch with the new American Oligarchy.
1
Washington surveyed Indian lands for the Ohio Valley Land Company, if I recall the name rightly. Should Pochahantas perhaps appear alongside George?
Let's drop "heroes" altogether. Let's use natural scenery or handsome buildings. And who uses paper money, anyway?
Honoring forgotten minority figures is a noble idea. But money is a silly one. Its time is passed.
Let's drop "heroes" altogether. Let's use natural scenery or handsome buildings. And who uses paper money, anyway?
Honoring forgotten minority figures is a noble idea. But money is a silly one. Its time is passed.
John Quincy Adams is the man for this national honor. If we just think about your example of Florida for example, it is he who saved Jackson's butt for having invaded Florida and it's he not Jackson who negotiated the the treaty with Spanish Minister Onis that gave the United States Florida and even more, having defined Louisiana in that treaty, succeeded in drawing the American boundary line to the Pacific Coast. He also resisted Jackson's disgraceful Indian Removal. He was also a fervent antagonist/resister to slavery--the greatest annoyance in Congress (need I mention the only former President to return to Congress) to the Slave Power. If anybody new deserves an image on American Money, it is John Quincy Adams....America's greatest Secretary of State, the foe of Jackson, and as 'old man eloquent', the greatest foe of the disgrace that was slavery.
Proof reading what I wrote at dawn would have been a good idea.
James Madison should appear on the 20 dollar bill. If it must be a woman, then make it Dolly Madison.
Let's not go down this path, lest we end up with bills reflecting every bit of politically correct nonsense the left can conjure up. Can you imagine having to carry Oprah, Tupac or Barbara Streisand bills?
1
From 1983 to 1999, the Hungarian 1000-forint note featured the image of that nation's most famous musician: Bela Bartok! Maybe we need to do away with dead Presidents and Founding Fathers altogether...
An exception to the Royal British heritage was Hamilton. He came from the West Indies with nothing but his towering intellect, although his father, whom he hardly knew, was vaguely of Scotch privileged descent. His story is quintessential American success long before O. Henry immortalized it.
As for his 'fiercely' sparring with Jefferson, nothing could be farther from the truth. Although Jefferson was part of Washington's cabinet, it was in name only.
Jefferson often times barely showed up. It was Hamilton as Washington's alter ego that ruled that cabinet and legislative agenda, leaving Jefferson to sulk, plotting in the wings against Hamilton. When Jefferson took over after Adams' presidency, Hamilton was gone, murdered by his Vice President, Burr.
As for his 'fiercely' sparring with Jefferson, nothing could be farther from the truth. Although Jefferson was part of Washington's cabinet, it was in name only.
Jefferson often times barely showed up. It was Hamilton as Washington's alter ego that ruled that cabinet and legislative agenda, leaving Jefferson to sulk, plotting in the wings against Hamilton. When Jefferson took over after Adams' presidency, Hamilton was gone, murdered by his Vice President, Burr.
1
Why do we have an urge to politicize currency? Why do we have slogans on auto license plates?
2
One thing is clear - if Jackson is replaced, the person or thing replacing him should have near universal recognition, not an eyebrow-raising "who??" This eliminates most of the alternatives. Anyone up, though, for Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck - I mean Donald Trump (he would actually be better on the half-penny)? How about the millionaire from Monopoly?
1
I realize this article has a focus on putting someone other than privileged white men on our money--but should we not make room for the greatest president of the 20th-century: Franklin D. Roosevelt? (you didn't think I was going to say "Reagan" did you?). The man who led America against fascism and largely created the middle class has had more impact on American and World history than any other person to sit in the oval office.
1
Here's another idea: occupations. In a country where the people are sovereign, let's portray the people: "The Teacher" "The Engineer" "The Builder" "The Musician" "The Artist" "The Truckdriver" "The Policeman" "The Social Worker" "The Fireman" "The Man in the Factory" "The Fisherman" "The Programmer" "The Entrepreneur" etc. With new occupations and new portraits ever few years.
Enough with the cult of personality and celebrity. It should be our fellow everyday Americans, not "leaders" whom we honor.
Enough with the cult of personality and celebrity. It should be our fellow everyday Americans, not "leaders" whom we honor.
White men, for the most part, write history and, I would imagine whose image is memorialized on our currency. White men are interested in the accomplishments of other white men and, since they write the narrative, the follow the advice every young writer receives, "Write what you know."
So just because it always has been doesn't mean it always should be. I would support the image of a Native American man on the cover, but I would more happy support the image of a woman whose actions may be less spectacular but vitally important role in our history.
So, while the suggestion to include rotating faces on American currency is reasonable and smart, why not do it after we give an American woman pride of place, a room of her own as it were, on a $20 bill?
So just because it always has been doesn't mean it always should be. I would support the image of a Native American man on the cover, but I would more happy support the image of a woman whose actions may be less spectacular but vitally important role in our history.
So, while the suggestion to include rotating faces on American currency is reasonable and smart, why not do it after we give an American woman pride of place, a room of her own as it were, on a $20 bill?
1
And where are the women in your scheme? On the back or front of Woodrow Wilson?
1
This is a ridiculous op-ed, the Times should be ashamed.
Jackson should - MUST - be removed from our currency, we shouldn't have a slave owner (and yes, I'd remove Washington and Jefferson as well) and someone who attempted genocide against Native Americans on our currency.
Certainly nobody is without flaws, but we can also certainly find better than this.
In the move to include a woman on our currency I voted for Eleanor Roosevelt - but any of the candidates would be better than the suggestion in this piece (Ross was a slave owner and the best you can say is "there are no saints in this tale"!?!?! No, not when you limit it to slave owners).
Jackson should - MUST - be removed from our currency, we shouldn't have a slave owner (and yes, I'd remove Washington and Jefferson as well) and someone who attempted genocide against Native Americans on our currency.
Certainly nobody is without flaws, but we can also certainly find better than this.
In the move to include a woman on our currency I voted for Eleanor Roosevelt - but any of the candidates would be better than the suggestion in this piece (Ross was a slave owner and the best you can say is "there are no saints in this tale"!?!?! No, not when you limit it to slave owners).
1
In the spirit of freedom let's sell the picture. Whoever pays the most can pick the person. I'd like to see Mickey Mouse or maybe SpongeBob. John Wayne would be good.
1
I vote for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for the $20.00 bill.
1
Replace Jackson with Judy Garland or Humphrey Bogart.
How about just getting rid of all portraits and going to a simple color coded, waterproof design? The Australian currency is a great model for easy to use cash.
Here's an idea for the $100 bill: Ronald Reagan on one side, Franklin Delano Roosevelt on the other.
How about NOT! Reagan already graces a hulking federal building in DC and his name is on what used to be Washington National Airport. That is quite enough.
Not Reagan, on anything, ever. That man did enough damage when he was alive.
When, they put Susan B. Anthony on the $1 coin, it was alleged that people didn't want to use the coins. In reality, I found them hard to get.
Now that there is a strong movement for a woman on the widely used $20. bill, someone says -- oh no -- if Jackson has to go, other men would be much better choices.
So let's ditch the outmoded $1 paper bill, bring back the Susan B. Anthony $1 coin AND put a woman on the $20. bill and introduce a $2. coin with someone to represent the Native Americans.
Now that there is a strong movement for a woman on the widely used $20. bill, someone says -- oh no -- if Jackson has to go, other men would be much better choices.
So let's ditch the outmoded $1 paper bill, bring back the Susan B. Anthony $1 coin AND put a woman on the $20. bill and introduce a $2. coin with someone to represent the Native Americans.
Seriously, people, how many of you knew that Jackson was on the $20 bill before this became an issue? How many cared who was on any bill or coin?? Oh, well, since it is now a national priority, I vote for an image of the Hubble deep field. Please express your support.
3
I suggest Ona Judge.
1
I would recommend replacing Jackson with a picture of Chief Joseph, AKA Thunder on the Mountain, of the Nez Perce tribe of what is now Idaho. He was the last, the bravest and best of the great Indian chiefs, and a far better leader of his people than most of our presidents have been.
If fact I think all bills should have the presidents removed and replaced with Native American leaders.
If fact I think all bills should have the presidents removed and replaced with Native American leaders.
1
Everybody seems to love Washington. Why not dump the $1 bill, push the $1 coin, and put Washington on the double sawbuck?
1
Symbolism is for the symbol minded.
Sorry but two guys who were in conflict with each other on the same US bill would not be a good idea. It reminds me of “balanced reporting”, which means confusion for an audience that needs/wants clarity, and equal pulpit for a lot of people who are just plain mistaken. In the case of the currency, it would mean our government cannot set a direction and lead us in it. Should we also modify the Latin slogan to read “E pluribus duo”?
Lets get rid of all the presidents secretariats of state, bankers, and libertarians and let's use our ubiquitous and universal biblical figures. On the 100 I propose Shiva, on the 50 Moses, oh the 20 Mohammed, on the 10 Buddha and on the 1 Jesus. If we reintroduce the 500, get rid of chase and go to Roosevelt who thought he was a god. As for colors and sizes. Go to that for the disabled, for sure, Green for Mohammed, sky blue for Moses, Gold for Jesus, red for Buddha and tutti fruitti for Shiva. This about covers 90 percent of the people and religions . Get rid of in god we trust since no one knows whose god we trust in... and replace with WE trust no one, cash only. GOod place to start
We are a diverse country and always have been. Why limit our currency to (virtually) one gender and one race? And why always politicians? I nominate as worthy:
Mark Twain, Harriet Tubman, Amelia Earhart, Frederick Douglass, Duke Ellington, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Chief Joseph.
Mark Twain, Harriet Tubman, Amelia Earhart, Frederick Douglass, Duke Ellington, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Chief Joseph.
1
Ditch Jackson, who was a killer and a thief.
Harriet Tubman- morally clean, courageous, and with major accomplishments during the most difficult time in our history. Plantation owner Republican Senators from the South will oppose this change, but the last I heard they were not in the majority.
Harriet Tubman- morally clean, courageous, and with major accomplishments during the most difficult time in our history. Plantation owner Republican Senators from the South will oppose this change, but the last I heard they were not in the majority.
3
My vote goes to Eleanor Roosevelt. Tireless champion of all minorities, FDR's conscience, helped create the UN, and an inspiration to all women.
85
That would one ugly $20 bill, a handsome woman she was not
1
How to decorate money is truly a shallow topic.
It is ironic for it to be prominently shown Opinion Pages with "What Is Your Purpose?" opinion by David Brooks shown on the same page.
Hopefully, your purpose is not be preoccupied with what is on $20 bill.
"Coin"cidentally, US coins are the most challenging to decipher for tourists. The dime is smaller than a nickel and none of the coins show their value as numeral. Which other world currencies don't have numbers written on their coins?
It is ironic for it to be prominently shown Opinion Pages with "What Is Your Purpose?" opinion by David Brooks shown on the same page.
Hopefully, your purpose is not be preoccupied with what is on $20 bill.
"Coin"cidentally, US coins are the most challenging to decipher for tourists. The dime is smaller than a nickel and none of the coins show their value as numeral. Which other world currencies don't have numbers written on their coins?
Just don't put Reagan on anything, for God's sake.
3
And take his name off of Washington National Airport...the Airport, which is in Virginia, was already named for a President (Washington).
What an amazing idea. I think it could spark a renewed interest in our history, so profoundly ignored by most of us.
1
Ray Charles.
1
Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act that set the Cherokee on the Trail of Tears, but Abraham Lincoln signed the orders that removed the Navajo from their native land in Arizona, Hundreds of Navajo died on the Long Walk to Bosque Redondo, the western version of the Trial of Tears. Lincoln was never a military hero, but he did lead a militia company against the Indians in the Black Hawk War.
Both Andrew Jackson had Scots-Irish ancestry while John Ross had Scottish ancestry. Both Jackson and Ross owned slaves. The 1860 Census Slave Scheduled showed Ross owned 51 slaves. Both Jackson and Ross were Indian fighters. Ross fought under Jackson against the Creeks at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.
Both Andrew Jackson had Scots-Irish ancestry while John Ross had Scottish ancestry. Both Jackson and Ross owned slaves. The 1860 Census Slave Scheduled showed Ross owned 51 slaves. Both Jackson and Ross were Indian fighters. Ross fought under Jackson against the Creeks at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.
This is a great idea. To paraphrase a great movie line, "we can't handle the truth.
Think of the possibilities.
Woodrow Wilson and Emma Goldman
Lyndon Johnson and Malcolm X
Richard Nixon and Barbra Jordan
It won't happen. Any of it.
Think of the possibilities.
Woodrow Wilson and Emma Goldman
Lyndon Johnson and Malcolm X
Richard Nixon and Barbra Jordan
It won't happen. Any of it.
Woodrow Wilson is already on the $100,000 bill, which does not circulate: as I understand it, it's used for transfers between financial institutions.
Let's just do to paper currency what we can now do with stamps. For a fee, you could have the mint photoshop any picture onto the money. Then we could all chose whom to portray on our money.
Certainly the time has come to replace the images of humans with the logos of Corporations, the real movers and shakers of our world. Look around you and realize that everything in your environment is made possible by Corporations and without them you and your family would be living in a cave. Besides, they own the Presidents and Congressmen these days. One might think, let's keep the old guys on the bills to remind us of what once was American Democracy, but this is nostalgic wishing and out of synch with the new American Oligarchy.
2
Sasha Grey
I'll google Sasha Grey since you didn't identify her.
Jackson should stay on the $20 bill, if for no other reason than to prevent people like Steve Inskeep from using our currency as a tool to advance their own politically correct political agendas. Quite honestly, I don't want to have Mr. Inskeep's side of the Culture Wars shoved in my face every time I buy groceries!
9
Oh, good Lord. Another thing to fight over; to draw battle lines over. A new way to chose Blue or Red. My suggestion - take all the people off and use animals that are found in America
4
Jackson, Old Hickory the Indian killer should go. The trail of tears cannot be excused. While John Ross would be an improvement, he still supported Jackson and his ilk later on. They tried to suppress the "runaway" Creeks and other tribes that had gone to Florida to start a new life. But, as you mention Ross supported slavery and that was the other objective of fighting the Seminoles in Florida,m they wanted to catch all the run away slaves and put them all back in slavery. Get rid of old snake eyes Jackson and put Osceola on the $20.
But seriously. WALT WHITMAN!
32
The $20 bill should be replaced with a $15 bill with a woman's portrait, since they are only paid 75% as much as men.
172
I'm a woman, a nurse, a registered Democrat, and absolutely sick of seeing this "they are only paid 75% as much as men". Why am I sick of it? Because it's not true. If the woman works fewer hours than the man in the same job, she is paid less.
Enough already!
Enough already!
A couple of points. first, The Battle of New Orleans was unnecessary since the peace treaty had already been signed. News traveled slow back then so Jackson was unaware. Further, the real hero of the battle was the cannons that the United States had manufactured.
Second, Jackson was a rough Character who saw the Indians and Africans as subhuman. However, many folks saw the Indians and Africans as subhuman. Washington, Jefferson and many of the Founding Fathers were slave owners and viscously punished their Slaves if they showed independence. Perhaps, we should remove all their faces and names from our Money, schools and Buildings and Bridges,etc. Then again, they are who we were; a country who achieved economic greatness slave labor to produce cotton and other Goods that the World purchased from us with full knowledge of the brutality and unfairness of our system. All the nonsense we see today in Ferguson, Baltimore, NYC, etc has a direct line back to Slavery, a failed reconstruction, Jim Crow, Discrimination when Black America left the South for the North and the white flight from Cities and neighborhoods leaving the hopeless and helpless behind in substandard housing, education and Healthcare systems. The cause and effect is clear.
Second, Jackson was a rough Character who saw the Indians and Africans as subhuman. However, many folks saw the Indians and Africans as subhuman. Washington, Jefferson and many of the Founding Fathers were slave owners and viscously punished their Slaves if they showed independence. Perhaps, we should remove all their faces and names from our Money, schools and Buildings and Bridges,etc. Then again, they are who we were; a country who achieved economic greatness slave labor to produce cotton and other Goods that the World purchased from us with full knowledge of the brutality and unfairness of our system. All the nonsense we see today in Ferguson, Baltimore, NYC, etc has a direct line back to Slavery, a failed reconstruction, Jim Crow, Discrimination when Black America left the South for the North and the white flight from Cities and neighborhoods leaving the hopeless and helpless behind in substandard housing, education and Healthcare systems. The cause and effect is clear.
4
Of course, this counts for less as less as many of us simply don't use cash any more. I might go several weeks now without using actual bills. I haven't used an ATM in months. Maybe we should be dickering over putting the faces of past greats on our credit cards or phone apps.
5
Here are a few few more pairing suggestions: Washington and Obama; Franklin and Steve Jobs; Jefferson and Christa McAuliffe; Hamilton and Ben Bernanke. If anyone reads this, I'll leave the "why?" to your good imaginations.
4
Hades no! Jackson must go!
" Chief Justice Marshall has made his decision. Now let us seem him enforce it." President Andrew Jackson in response to the SCOTUS decision in the case of Cherokee Nation of Indians vs. United States of America which forbade the removal of the Cherokee by the federal government. The Cherokee name for Jackson "Sharp Knife" was earned from bitter experience with his bigotry and hatred.
I am part Cherokee on both my maternal South Carolina free person of color line and my paternal slave Georgia line as well. Some of the Cherokee in order to stay chose to " pass" for free persons of color African Americans, And they moved into and intermarried into those communities. That is my family oral history. A history yet to be confirmed by genetic DNA testing.
John Ross was 7/8ths white and unless he told you that he was Cherokee you would never know. Instead of Ross, I would prefer Sequoyah who gave the Cherokee a written alphabet or a great Cherokee warrior or chief who resisted the American invasion, occupation and confiscation of Cherokee land. The mighty Oconostota aka Great Warrior of Chota, a legendary son of Tennessee would be my first and only Cherokee choice.
" Chief Justice Marshall has made his decision. Now let us seem him enforce it." President Andrew Jackson in response to the SCOTUS decision in the case of Cherokee Nation of Indians vs. United States of America which forbade the removal of the Cherokee by the federal government. The Cherokee name for Jackson "Sharp Knife" was earned from bitter experience with his bigotry and hatred.
I am part Cherokee on both my maternal South Carolina free person of color line and my paternal slave Georgia line as well. Some of the Cherokee in order to stay chose to " pass" for free persons of color African Americans, And they moved into and intermarried into those communities. That is my family oral history. A history yet to be confirmed by genetic DNA testing.
John Ross was 7/8ths white and unless he told you that he was Cherokee you would never know. Instead of Ross, I would prefer Sequoyah who gave the Cherokee a written alphabet or a great Cherokee warrior or chief who resisted the American invasion, occupation and confiscation of Cherokee land. The mighty Oconostota aka Great Warrior of Chota, a legendary son of Tennessee would be my first and only Cherokee choice.
43
You're the other side of my Cherokee family!
1
Excellent article. Brilliant idea.
OK no people of questionable character like politicians, lawyers, journalists, and Wall Street types on our money. Let's nominate poets, artists, architects and inventors instead.
83
As if all politicians, lawyers, journalists, and Wall Street types are of questionable character, and all poets, artists, architects and inventors are angels.
2
In fact, didn't France do this back in the days of the franc? I think I remember seeing Claude Monet's picture a French franc.
So you found a group of humans who were perfect and who would not be assailed by the usual cried for whatever may be in their background, works, writings, thoughts, etc.? Good luck.
1
Rather favor reserving the currency for presidents; however, justifying changing Jackson's likeness on slave and Indian grounds is a tad bit past hypocrisy I would have said...Obama replacing Lincoln would hold a certain poetic symmetry though.
Sorry but a woman belongs on the twenty dollar bill.
12
True American Hero who fought and bled for this country and arguably cemented the foundation of all the freedoms and riches we enjoy today on one hand, random "woman" to appease the gender counters on the other.
Sorry, but a stronger argument may be in order.
Sorry, but a stronger argument may be in order.
Agreed! There is a movement to put Wilma Mankiller, A great Cherokee Chief, on the bill. Here is her obit: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/us/07mankiller.html
Here is a link to more info on the push to get her on the bill: http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2015/04/13/dump-jackson-20-rep...
Here is a link to more info on the push to get her on the bill: http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2015/04/13/dump-jackson-20-rep...
1
With all the problems this country has, there is a debate who should be on the $20 bill?
I have a novel idea replace people on all our paper money and coinage with national buildings and scenes from national parks. I suggest this:
$1 - Old Faithful; Washington Monument
$2 - Shenandoah National Park; Jefferson Memorial
$5 - Smoke Mountain National Park; Lincoln Memorial
$10 - Mount Whitney; Sagamore Hill
$20 - Denali; Pearl Harbor (Arizona memorial)
$50 - Rocky Mountain National Park; Wounded Knee Memorial
$100 - Fort McHenry; Independence Hall
$1 Coin - Keep as is
50 Cent - Mesa Verdi National Park; Mount Rushmore
25 Cent - Gateway Arch; Tomb of the Unknowns
10 Cent - New York Harbor; Ellis Island
5 Cent - Arches national park; The Alamo
Retire the penny
The above honors the beauty of our nation, as well as its history. Though, it would be better not to honor any fommer president or person who is put above the rest of Americans.
Part of the problem with this country is we elevate people to a higher status. Eliminating people on our money is a step away from this practice. Not to mention, it may make US money interestiing to those who use it.
I have a novel idea replace people on all our paper money and coinage with national buildings and scenes from national parks. I suggest this:
$1 - Old Faithful; Washington Monument
$2 - Shenandoah National Park; Jefferson Memorial
$5 - Smoke Mountain National Park; Lincoln Memorial
$10 - Mount Whitney; Sagamore Hill
$20 - Denali; Pearl Harbor (Arizona memorial)
$50 - Rocky Mountain National Park; Wounded Knee Memorial
$100 - Fort McHenry; Independence Hall
$1 Coin - Keep as is
50 Cent - Mesa Verdi National Park; Mount Rushmore
25 Cent - Gateway Arch; Tomb of the Unknowns
10 Cent - New York Harbor; Ellis Island
5 Cent - Arches national park; The Alamo
Retire the penny
The above honors the beauty of our nation, as well as its history. Though, it would be better not to honor any fommer president or person who is put above the rest of Americans.
Part of the problem with this country is we elevate people to a higher status. Eliminating people on our money is a step away from this practice. Not to mention, it may make US money interestiing to those who use it.
70
Great idea! All great, and true wealth comes from the Earth. Think food, water, resources, ok, oil too, until the computer age, but that value has made us forget what keeps us alive.
Retire the $1 bill. The US is the only major country with such a low paper denomination.
The retiring of the penny would increase the sales tax in most states, and could be hurtful to the very low income folks. You'd be surprised how fast two or three cents on every sale can add up to dollars.
It is rather sad that the article assumes that Ross was partly of "Scots-Irish" origin. In fact he was of Highland Scots origin an important group on the early frontier. These Highland Scots were often Loyalist in the Revolution and so were driven from their homes and US history books. It is rather revealing that what is probably the best newspaper in the USA should still be hampered by myths from the Revolution- that Loyalist Tories were reactionaries who loved England rather than a mixture of peoples who loved the land they fought for.
1
Perhaps a side point -- but why not add someone on a larger bill? When we set the $100 as the largest bill in circulation, it had real purchasing power. Now, a middle class family of four can't buy a week's worth of groceries with a $100 bill.
Print a $200 and $500 (like the Euro) and we've got new bills with possibilities for new designs.
Print a $200 and $500 (like the Euro) and we've got new bills with possibilities for new designs.
1
Aside from the question of who or what should be depicted, why not take a cue from many other currencies and have bills of different values vary in color and size. The benefits are self-evident.
5
Instead of placing images of individuals, who invariably provoke controversy, on our currency, why not use images of American scenic wonders.
10
Very good ideas indeed. Unfortunately, this is America - once the land of inspired thinking and now the land of conservative ideology, logic be damned - alas, it will never happen. We are presently stuck in Republican mud.
4
This talk about what cartoon gets printed on paper money is a pointless sideshow. We need to ask why our government isn't anywhere near ready to issue electronic cards in place of paper currency, since we're the country on the planet most favorable for its use. Theft, money laundering, and all forms of illegal transactions could be made to disappear overnight; funding of terrorism and international crime would pretty much dry up. Best of all, most rapacious non-community banks would disappear since they would be redundant. If you have the opportunity to make progress at a quantum leap, why wouldn't you use it?
2
"Theft, money laundering, and all forms of illegal transactions could be made to disappear overnight"
Until someone in Moscow or Shanghai hacks the computers that control such electronic currency and causes serious financial damage. Or some computer nerds in the US hack the network to enrich themselves. Simply put, the government is nowhere near being able to protect its networks from illegal access, so the greenback remains our best option. We may as well figure out who or what should replace the politicians on the currency.
Until someone in Moscow or Shanghai hacks the computers that control such electronic currency and causes serious financial damage. Or some computer nerds in the US hack the network to enrich themselves. Simply put, the government is nowhere near being able to protect its networks from illegal access, so the greenback remains our best option. We may as well figure out who or what should replace the politicians on the currency.
1
Why have any people on money at all? How about using architecture like the Euro, or art and science accomplishments. The pictures in the American passports try to showcase what is deemed "typically American". Not a single dead white male to be seen. Maybe it's time to grow up and stop paying homage to the country's "parents" (the present bunch would imply parthenogenesis, however) and showcase accomplishments.
8
I would like someone to explain to me under what plausible scenario a relatively sparse collection of tribal people were going to be allowed to continue their occupation of this abundant continent. One way or the other the Indians' way of life was going to be destroyed and it wasn't going to be pretty. Behind every great fortune there's a great crime. Wringing our hands now while we continue to enjoy the benefits of that crime is a little hypocritical.
14
Firstly, it's quite possible to compare Canada (1 million members of First Nations for 35 million) with US (3 million for 300 million) to see different outcomes. Mind it, that Canadian federal budget spends about 8 billion on what amounts to Department of Indian Affairs - a huge 80-billion in US analog.
Secondly, one of the very plausible outcomes of the War of 1812 would be a creation of independent First Nations state in America, somewhere in the Western part of Great Lakes, that would be a protectorate of US or UK or both - similar to what was done in many other UK protectorates (there's a difference between protectorate and colony). It's not unprecedented in British Empire; this is essentially how many nations in Oceania were ran.
Finally, a third option would be a deep integration between local culture and Europeans, something that was going on in Manitoba, but it ended up being stopped by Canada, so we don't have a plausible what-if scenario here.
Secondly, one of the very plausible outcomes of the War of 1812 would be a creation of independent First Nations state in America, somewhere in the Western part of Great Lakes, that would be a protectorate of US or UK or both - similar to what was done in many other UK protectorates (there's a difference between protectorate and colony). It's not unprecedented in British Empire; this is essentially how many nations in Oceania were ran.
Finally, a third option would be a deep integration between local culture and Europeans, something that was going on in Manitoba, but it ended up being stopped by Canada, so we don't have a plausible what-if scenario here.
I believe that plausible scenario, chamsticks, arises when you personally are part of the tribe being unjustly, cruelly, and violently displaced.
Speaking of "not pretty," take a good hard look at mountaintop removal, California's Central Valley, CAFO's, the Louisiana coastline, strip malls, Superfund sites, Sparrows Point, and the Alberta tar sands-- some of the "great fortune" and "benefits" we now enjoy.
Yes, John Ross did well by the Cherokee Nation as its longest serving leader. But the writer understates his role as a slaveholder--he was a major one in the tribe, and built his wealth on the backs of his slaves. Wilma Mankiller, a latter day successor as principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, moved to expel from the tribe descendants of the Cherokee's slaves, who were granted rights to Cherokee citizenship under an 1866 treaty. Both should be disqualified for those reasons. As for Jackson, his blithe refusal to comply with the Supreme Court's pro-Cherokee ruling in Worcester v. Georgia would surely get a modern day president impeached.
4
If you are going to put a face on the $20 that is more meaningful, why not put that of Martin Luther King.
He was far more expressive of the ideals of this nation than most that grace our money, and he brought on far more real "hope" and real "change" than the "community organizer" that used both terms to secure his questionable place in our history.
He was far more expressive of the ideals of this nation than most that grace our money, and he brought on far more real "hope" and real "change" than the "community organizer" that used both terms to secure his questionable place in our history.
4
Keep Jackson on the $20. Why should he be moved off? Scratch any Founding Father or other American leader and you will find troubling behavior. That's the way it was back then. What Jackson and others did made this country what it is today and what enables most of us to sit in comfortable climate-controlled environments typing away on expensive computers. Would any one of us rather be in a Third World country unable to find potable water, decent food or housing or (if female) living in fear of rape?
18
Yeah, genocide is cool as long as the result was AC and cable for us.
1
Lynn
Please reread the article, it talks of pairing , retaing Jackson and contrasting him with his opponent.
Admit the headline is very poorly written, as it implies removing Jackson.
Please reread the article, it talks of pairing , retaing Jackson and contrasting him with his opponent.
Admit the headline is very poorly written, as it implies removing Jackson.
An interesting column. Agreed that our money should honor a much broader sampling of historically significant figures. But the fact that Jackson's image was put on paper money has always been truly ironical. Here is a guy who distrusted money, broke the back of the 2nd Bank of the U.S., signed an executive order (another one of those) requiring all purchases of federal lands to be made with specie, ie gold or silver coins. And all this helped create the Panic of 1837 and a horrible, lasting depression. If anything, shoulda been on a $20 gold coin.....
8
A silly column. I sometimes get disgusted touching money with portraits of great evildoers on it. But hey, it's been like this for a few thousand years, yeah? Cheezer augustus? Holy emperor?
Did like the former Nederlandse Sonnenbloem 50 gulden. And Schroedinger on the old Osterreicher tausend note.
Now, maybe we all need reminding of our national heroes and evildoers, but for choice - how about random geometric patterns?
Paper money is paper money.
Historical figures are figments of fantasy.
Did like the former Nederlandse Sonnenbloem 50 gulden. And Schroedinger on the old Osterreicher tausend note.
Now, maybe we all need reminding of our national heroes and evildoers, but for choice - how about random geometric patterns?
Paper money is paper money.
Historical figures are figments of fantasy.
I agree, there is much irony here but the overarching achievement of Jackson was to outflank and defeat the proponents of nullification. The contiguous 48 states would not be one nation now had Jackson not prevailed in the 1830s. He kept the country together until the time bomb that was slavery went off in 1860.
The faces on our currency should reflect the faces that we see and those that created the character of the country and its culture. African-American, American Indian and women--yes! Our history (and our present) calls for the inclusion of a civil rights leader. It is more than time!
3
No mention about extending voter rights to all white males? If I remember right, founded the Democratic party. Anyway he was a creature of his times. The nineteenth century not the twenty first. So ending slavery, universal voting rights and gay marriage did not happen while he was president. He was in touch with common people. Some thing his party hasn't been since the seventies. Of the last century only FDR can be described as being in the same league.
5
Grover "drown-government-in-a-bathtub" Norquist wants Reagan on the $50 bill. I'd agree to keep Jackson on the $20 bill if only to avoid opening an argument to replace Grant with the father of that grand failure called trickle-down economics. With Lincoln on both the penny and the $5 bill, we perhaps can justify a place for Reagan on the penny, symbolic of what his trickle-down economics actually meant.
15
Jackson owned slaves and killed Native Americans. George Washington also owned slaves and fought against Native Americans in the French and Indian War. Thomas Jefferson owned 600 slaves, beat some of them and fathered children with them too. We could change them all out.
As a group, the faces on the bills are 18th century individuals and all from the Eastern United States. If we were to replace some of them, we might look to 20th century Westerners. The most obvious pick would be Ronald Reagan. Another possibility would be Sandra Day O'Connor, the first female member of the Supreme Court. If you want to change out Jackson for another Southerner, how about Martin Luther King.
The faces don't have to belong to dead presidents. After all, neither Ben Franklin nor Alexander Hamilton were president and they are on the $100 and $10 bills.
As a group, the faces on the bills are 18th century individuals and all from the Eastern United States. If we were to replace some of them, we might look to 20th century Westerners. The most obvious pick would be Ronald Reagan. Another possibility would be Sandra Day O'Connor, the first female member of the Supreme Court. If you want to change out Jackson for another Southerner, how about Martin Luther King.
The faces don't have to belong to dead presidents. After all, neither Ben Franklin nor Alexander Hamilton were president and they are on the $100 and $10 bills.
11
Sandra Day O'Connor's vote in Bush v Gore gave us GWB. Martin Luther King was a prolific serial adulterer. Don't even get me started on Reagan.
The guy who should be on all currency is PT Barnum. Utterly appropriate.
Seriously: just take all the faces off the money.
BTW Lincoln and Grant were 19th C. Not too many people ever see anything higher than a $100, but McKinley and Cleveland, both 19th C. (McKinley might actually count as 20th C., as he was assassinated in 1901), are on the $500 and $1K bills respectively. Salmon P. Chase (19th C.) is on the $10K bill, Madison(18th C.) on the $5K bill; Chase wasn't president. And on the $100K bill - which is used generally only to transfer cash between financial institutions, I believe - 20th C. Woodrow Wilson.
Dump all of them. Use abstract designs, wildlife, landscapes, etc. on currency. We have stamps for portraits.
The guy who should be on all currency is PT Barnum. Utterly appropriate.
Seriously: just take all the faces off the money.
BTW Lincoln and Grant were 19th C. Not too many people ever see anything higher than a $100, but McKinley and Cleveland, both 19th C. (McKinley might actually count as 20th C., as he was assassinated in 1901), are on the $500 and $1K bills respectively. Salmon P. Chase (19th C.) is on the $10K bill, Madison(18th C.) on the $5K bill; Chase wasn't president. And on the $100K bill - which is used generally only to transfer cash between financial institutions, I believe - 20th C. Woodrow Wilson.
Dump all of them. Use abstract designs, wildlife, landscapes, etc. on currency. We have stamps for portraits.
"Jackson owned slaves and killed Native Americans. George Washington also owned slaves and fought against Native Americans in the French and Indian War. "
Hold on- the French and Indian war was a bit like Vietnam, in that one colonial power aligned with one set of local antagonists, and the other colonial power aligned with the other. The Native tribes already had a long history of warfare with each other. Washington was fighting with Native Americans as much as he was fighting against others.
Also, Washington hired a business consultant from England to look at why his plantation was unproductive. The consultant told him to get rid of the slaves, because they were doing very little work. The consultant told Washington that he was running a retirement home for slaves at that point. Some of the slaves objected to being cut loose at that point of their lives, so Washington kept the status quo, but ordered the slaves he "owned" freed upon his death. Not a record to be proud of, but not equivalent to Jackson's. Throughout history, nearly all powerful and wealthy people have owned other people, up until the mid 1800s. Some still do. Washington was wrong about slavery, but he is also a transitional figure who was starting to figure it out.
Hold on- the French and Indian war was a bit like Vietnam, in that one colonial power aligned with one set of local antagonists, and the other colonial power aligned with the other. The Native tribes already had a long history of warfare with each other. Washington was fighting with Native Americans as much as he was fighting against others.
Also, Washington hired a business consultant from England to look at why his plantation was unproductive. The consultant told him to get rid of the slaves, because they were doing very little work. The consultant told Washington that he was running a retirement home for slaves at that point. Some of the slaves objected to being cut loose at that point of their lives, so Washington kept the status quo, but ordered the slaves he "owned" freed upon his death. Not a record to be proud of, but not equivalent to Jackson's. Throughout history, nearly all powerful and wealthy people have owned other people, up until the mid 1800s. Some still do. Washington was wrong about slavery, but he is also a transitional figure who was starting to figure it out.
Let's be fair to Washington. He belong on American currency because of his substantial contribution to the cause of Democracy.
It is misleading to diminish him due to his involvement in the French and Indian War. The French and Indian War was as much a conflict between warring tribes as it was a conflict between colonial powers. Washington fought on the side of some Native Americans, and against others. If you read original sources, you will also find that there were plenty of atrocities committed by Native Americans against European settlers and other Native Americans at that time. This is not a war that should be considered in simplistic terms.
And up until the mid-1800s, nearly all powerful people owned other people, throughout the world. Native Americans practiced slavery well before the arrival of Europeans, for example. Washington's record on slavery is mixed. He was a transitional figure who was starting to figure it out late in life. He cannot be dismissed as the moral equivalent of Jackson.
It is misleading to diminish him due to his involvement in the French and Indian War. The French and Indian War was as much a conflict between warring tribes as it was a conflict between colonial powers. Washington fought on the side of some Native Americans, and against others. If you read original sources, you will also find that there were plenty of atrocities committed by Native Americans against European settlers and other Native Americans at that time. This is not a war that should be considered in simplistic terms.
And up until the mid-1800s, nearly all powerful people owned other people, throughout the world. Native Americans practiced slavery well before the arrival of Europeans, for example. Washington's record on slavery is mixed. He was a transitional figure who was starting to figure it out late in life. He cannot be dismissed as the moral equivalent of Jackson.
1
US currency needs to be updated to reflect historical reality, rather than historical myths. It should also reflect the diversity of our nation.
As for the penny and the one-dollar-bill, they're absolutely not needed and more burden then benefit. Canada, for example, replaced the one-dollar bill with a one-dollar coin and a two-dollar coin year ago and recently eliminated the 1-cent coin without any significant pain.
As for the penny and the one-dollar-bill, they're absolutely not needed and more burden then benefit. Canada, for example, replaced the one-dollar bill with a one-dollar coin and a two-dollar coin year ago and recently eliminated the 1-cent coin without any significant pain.
31
Our currency is really none of your business.
One and two dollar coins replacing dollars, and eliminating the penny and then the nickel make nothing but sense and would save millions a year. Simple, logical, no real politics involved. But our Republican controlled federal government is unable to begin to do even this, while a balanced budget is one of their long running top policy goals.
1
Based on a tabulation conducted by Forbes magazine the net worth of America's billionaires represents approximately 15% of the GDP of the nation. They control and influence much more of our wealth as a nation and worldwide. Yet we're worried about whose picture should be on the twenty dollar bill? Maybe we should have a bidding war and a round-robin instead. Whoever contributes the most to decreasing the national debt wins and his or her picture goes on the bill of their choice and then it's the turn of the next highest bidder to chose. This should be very popular with our billionaires because there's opportunity for strategy and faking other people out to influence their choice even if one does not bid as much as they. Opening bids please! Do I hear one billion? Two?
1
A week after riots in Baltimore The Times (that I usually love beyond measure) proposes putting another former slave owner on the twenty dollar bill?
Sure, John Ross has an incredible story and represents a powerful injustice in American History, but please, no more slave owners of any kind.
There has to be some litmus test that invalidates people from such honors as we go forward. I think owning slaves might be the right litmus test for further inclusion on money. It isn't a quirk of history anymore: we can look back and see who made the right choice and who didn't.
As a fourth grade teacher in a snake bit urban school system (Hartford) I have to help students form a foundational understanding of US history, of where we've been and where we are going.
Pick Tubman, or Douglass or someone's who moral compass compares well to Lincoln's in this important way. Put Ross on a stamp or let Inskeep write a book heralding this fellow but keep him off the currency.
Our hands are dirty enough.
Sure, John Ross has an incredible story and represents a powerful injustice in American History, but please, no more slave owners of any kind.
There has to be some litmus test that invalidates people from such honors as we go forward. I think owning slaves might be the right litmus test for further inclusion on money. It isn't a quirk of history anymore: we can look back and see who made the right choice and who didn't.
As a fourth grade teacher in a snake bit urban school system (Hartford) I have to help students form a foundational understanding of US history, of where we've been and where we are going.
Pick Tubman, or Douglass or someone's who moral compass compares well to Lincoln's in this important way. Put Ross on a stamp or let Inskeep write a book heralding this fellow but keep him off the currency.
Our hands are dirty enough.
I am disgusted by the PC drivel in this article. Most presidential scholars believe that there were three undeniably great presidents: Washington, Lincoln, and FDR. Yes, Jackson owned slaves, but so did Washington, so should we replace the Father of our Country with Dred Scott on the one dollar bill? FDR set up the internment camps for Japanese Americans during WWII so should we remove him from the dime or should we replace Grant, an acknowledged alcoholic, with FDR on the fifty.
The individual's mentioned in this article such as John Ross surely deserve recognition for their heroic contributions, but not at the expense of our most outstanding leaders. How about putting honoring them by placing them on commemorative stamps as we have previously done with other great Americans?
The individual's mentioned in this article such as John Ross surely deserve recognition for their heroic contributions, but not at the expense of our most outstanding leaders. How about putting honoring them by placing them on commemorative stamps as we have previously done with other great Americans?
6
It is time that Jackson was removed from the $20 bill. Jackson should have been impeached and he was a lawless man who wanted his way at any cost. Putting a Cherokee chief on the bill is tempting for those who believe in spite after two centuries.
That injustice can never be corrected because Jackson was a racist and no matter what the Cherokees did they would not receive equal protection of the law. This is going on today.
Why not Martin Luther King Jr., or any number of choices that would make Jackson turn in his grave.
Who gets on currency? Icons of American history but never American culture or industry. These are people that left a big footprint. The two giants of American history are Washington and Lincoln and the thought that Lincoln should share his bill with someone who urged him on demeans Lincoln who won the Civil War, saved the Union and masterfully engineered the passage of the 13th Amendment which freed the slaves everywhere. It is absurd to think that these things would not have happened without Fredrick Douglas, great man that he was.
Jackson should be replaced by someone who changed America in a positive way, who make life easier and better for the masses, who fought fascism at home and abroad and was the longest serving and most elected president in history, who over came being crippled and unable to walk and spent time building a home for polio victims. No one has a better claim than FDR to be on the $20 bill with or without Elinor.
That injustice can never be corrected because Jackson was a racist and no matter what the Cherokees did they would not receive equal protection of the law. This is going on today.
Why not Martin Luther King Jr., or any number of choices that would make Jackson turn in his grave.
Who gets on currency? Icons of American history but never American culture or industry. These are people that left a big footprint. The two giants of American history are Washington and Lincoln and the thought that Lincoln should share his bill with someone who urged him on demeans Lincoln who won the Civil War, saved the Union and masterfully engineered the passage of the 13th Amendment which freed the slaves everywhere. It is absurd to think that these things would not have happened without Fredrick Douglas, great man that he was.
Jackson should be replaced by someone who changed America in a positive way, who make life easier and better for the masses, who fought fascism at home and abroad and was the longest serving and most elected president in history, who over came being crippled and unable to walk and spent time building a home for polio victims. No one has a better claim than FDR to be on the $20 bill with or without Elinor.
I like the flip side idea. It may remind people who demonize the opposition that democracy is creative conflict. The parameter should therefore require that they represent tension more so than some of the other suggestions. Astor and Audobon. We might also include non-Americans who made definitive contributions to our nation. Lafayette deserves a place.
I sympathize with the author's sentiment. Jackson had his flaws. But what would it cost to reconfigure the infrastructure that pumps out twenties? It's hard to justify a likely multi-million-dollar expense, given the condition of our public schools and inner-cities, for such a conceit. Besides, Jackson, considering the current political climate, is likely to be replaced by someone just as unsavory, e.g., Ronald Reagan, whose ill-conceived and elitist-favoring policies have made life miserable for millions and put fresh wind in the wings of our bitter angels.
1
The custom, which ought to be retained, is that only presidents get to be on our currency. If President Jackson is to be replaced, I nominate President James Polk, who was one of our finest if unheralded presidents. His greatest accomplishment was to acquire California, Texas and the southwest for the United States, which contributed mightily to our national success.
1
Few, if any, historical figures are without warts. Our modern penchant for judging the past by today's standards often makes us forget that these men and women did not live in a vacuum but were part of their time, just as we are today. (Of course many conveniently or ignorantly forget that our "enlightened" views of today will likely be derided and scorned a century or two from now, but no matter. "How could they have thought/done that back in the dark ages of 2015?"). Yes some of these characters (men in the case of dead presidents) did some bad things, but does that render them otherwise unworthy? We all know Washington had slaves, for instance, but it does not erase the significance of his importance to the nation, nor dim the writings and thoughts of Jefferson. We must be adult about it.
Portraits on bills have changed over time and if it's time to replace Jackson, then so be it. But let's not be ridiculousoy PC or mythologize certain segments with imagined nobility, nor just succumb, as one commenter noted, to the Euro model of no people lest someone be offended- for in today's America you are 100% assured someone, somewhere will be offended, outraged, or whatever by any choice. Nor should we just succumb to our penchant for diversity counts, one of these, one of those, just for appearance sake.
Portraits on bills have changed over time and if it's time to replace Jackson, then so be it. But let's not be ridiculousoy PC or mythologize certain segments with imagined nobility, nor just succumb, as one commenter noted, to the Euro model of no people lest someone be offended- for in today's America you are 100% assured someone, somewhere will be offended, outraged, or whatever by any choice. Nor should we just succumb to our penchant for diversity counts, one of these, one of those, just for appearance sake.
3
Quit fiddling with the money. Ever since the fifty states got added to the quarter, I have to look closely whenever I use them. And yes, I do, often enough to remember, find a Canadian quarter. What a productivity hit that has been, simply to honour each of the nation's states.
Now we're about to have another productivity hit as folks yak about changing the twenty dollar bill. Just leave the money alone.
We don't need the US Mint to go the way of that other government affiliate that produces a myriad of stamps.
Now we're about to have another productivity hit as folks yak about changing the twenty dollar bill. Just leave the money alone.
We don't need the US Mint to go the way of that other government affiliate that produces a myriad of stamps.
1
Currency has touted leaders since before Roman times. Ours also serves as a national and international unifying connector, in that mottos, buildings, and history are part of it. Not so with credit cards! Should we have dollar bills with Washington on one side and something for the one-third of the population who sided with the British and the other third who took no stand? Jackson was a unique character, one who would not be held high by today's politically correct standards; he fought duels, owned slaves (as did most presidents up to that time (even the early Adams family!), was forceful and intolerant in some measures, but keeping the union together was vital to him and looking back, to all. There are a couple of excellent books on Jackson, and people should read books, not so much the $20 bills.
The idea of having two people on bills is a good one. It reminds us that there are two sides to every story. It reminds us that most often neither side has it completely right or completely wrong.
It is also important that history is not just written by the winners. History should be written and taught not with reverence for those that prevailed but from the viewpoint of all the participants.
When we hide from ugly truths we forget. By acknowledging we have made mistakes perhaps we can refrain from having history repeat itself.
It is also important that history is not just written by the winners. History should be written and taught not with reverence for those that prevailed but from the viewpoint of all the participants.
When we hide from ugly truths we forget. By acknowledging we have made mistakes perhaps we can refrain from having history repeat itself.
Jackson was an important President who contributed positively to greater freedom by increasing the role of democracy and equality in our national politics, and who increased the authority of the national government but stopping efforts to decrease it by states rights advocates. He was also a slave holder, a less than well educated man, a bigot and a man who did not respect the rights of Indians who tried to assimilate into the greater society, and something of a savage in his personal life who was riddled from bullets acquired in duels and private gun fights. He was a man of extremes who exhibited the range of human capacities for good and bad.
Despite the regard we have for John Ross's attempts to limit abuse of Native Americans at the hands of Jackson's very abusive policy, it remains that one man failed abysmally and the other succeeded at the aims each defined as important for America at the time. By replacing Jackson on the $20 bill with anyone less insistent that the destiny of America lay not in aboriginal tribal existence and lore but in an expansive, aggressive grittiness is to accept all that America has done for the world but to deny the rough road it needed to travel to get there. It also would glorify failure and condemn success.
Now, some will call that sentiment ... unfortunate. But, while it's hard to prove a negative, what America DID become has served as a beacon to much of mankind. And it happened over transparent injustices that today we condemn roundly but then that won the acceptance of a vast majority of Americans.
Our Constitution prohibits the passing of what it calls an "ex post facto law", that holds someone accountable for a crime that wasn't a crime when the act was performed. This tendency to reach back in time and convict someone of behavior that today we find reprehensible but then was accepted as representative is no less questionable -- and historically revisionist and invalid. Certainly, Columbus has suffered more than Jackson.
Put John Ross's face on the two-dollar bill, which is a current denomination of U.S. currency, though not one most would call successful.
Now, some will call that sentiment ... unfortunate. But, while it's hard to prove a negative, what America DID become has served as a beacon to much of mankind. And it happened over transparent injustices that today we condemn roundly but then that won the acceptance of a vast majority of Americans.
Our Constitution prohibits the passing of what it calls an "ex post facto law", that holds someone accountable for a crime that wasn't a crime when the act was performed. This tendency to reach back in time and convict someone of behavior that today we find reprehensible but then was accepted as representative is no less questionable -- and historically revisionist and invalid. Certainly, Columbus has suffered more than Jackson.
Put John Ross's face on the two-dollar bill, which is a current denomination of U.S. currency, though not one most would call successful.
1
Reading your comment finally crystallised something that's been nagging me throughout the discussion.
John Ross ... John Ross. Of course!
The image on the bill should be that of John Ross, AKA "J.R.", Ewing. (Larry Hagman is dead, therefore eligible to be on currency.) Utterly appropriate mascot for today's America.
;}
John Ross ... John Ross. Of course!
The image on the bill should be that of John Ross, AKA "J.R.", Ewing. (Larry Hagman is dead, therefore eligible to be on currency.) Utterly appropriate mascot for today's America.
;}
I thought this was a strong argument. I'm not entirely sure I'm convinced of the actual choice, but in the scenario Steve describes, it works well. I like the idea of putting a woman on a $20, and I like this idea too. I don't think Steve is offering this as a response to undermine that other initiative, as some here suggest, but rather another interesting proposal, this one to overhaul all our money with the "American Stories", which could include women and other/different men to paint a complete picture.
Jackson should be replaced by someone whose leadership was at least as great as was his to the expansion of freedom in this country and hopefully with fewer acts of a less honorable kind than some of his. No female candidate can be found, yet, while some have contributed a lot regarding single issues none held any national leadership positions which were comparable to men until recently. The reason was an unjust practice which kept women disenfranchised for the first century and one-half of the nation's history in which almost all of our institutions and crucial policies as a polity were formed.
Weird priorities. Those who worry about this sort of stuff have too much time on their hands. We have a broken healthcare system; declining education standards; a culture of incarceration, torture and death; a dysfunctional federal government; and a crumbling 1960s infrastructure. So let's worry about changing the twenty dollar bill. After that let's propose a flag-burning amendment to the constitution. Sheesh!
7
It is time for Women, Native Americans, and Blacks to share equal status along side White Men on U.S. currency. Our currency should all be redesigned with this in mind. There is currently underway a move to get women on the $20 bill: http://www.womenon20s.org
I am surprised that this movement was not mentioned in this article.
I am surprised that this movement was not mentioned in this article.
3
It's mentioned in the third paragraph of the article.
Inskeep most certainly mentioned it. He called it a brilliant campaign.'
If we're going to replace Jackson on the $20 bill, and I have long believed we should, then I'd love to see him replaced with Harriet Tubman. She didn't just escape slavery for herself, she returned, again and again and *again* to help others escape. I can't imagine how terrifying it must have been to go back to a plantation, risking capture, violence, slavery itself, not once but many times. That kind of courage and selfless dedication to freedom for all is what American democracy is truly about. We don't need to choose kinda-sorta-heroic people for our currency, we can choose true heroes. If she's not 'famous' enough, then all the more reason to choose her.
1
We would have learned a lot more about ancient Egypt if succeeding rulers hadn't defaced the monuments, statues, and hieroglyphs of predecessors whose legacy they disagreed with.
Since all humans are flawed, perhaps we should altogether cease putting images of individuals on our currency and, instead return to using images of ideals. E.g.: Liberty, Industry, Frugality, Honesty, Commonwealth, etc.
Since all humans are flawed, perhaps we should altogether cease putting images of individuals on our currency and, instead return to using images of ideals. E.g.: Liberty, Industry, Frugality, Honesty, Commonwealth, etc.
3
'return to using images of ideals. E.g.: Liberty, Industry, Frugality, Honesty, Commonwealth, etc.'
Then we start arguing over which ones should be male or female, age, race, whether to depict them as beautiful is 'looks-ist'. 9 of 10 Joe Sixpacks have no idea what a 'commonwealth' is but it sounds vaguely socialist. Not to mention hair-pulling, hand-wringing denunciations of 'industry' and 'frugality (among those few who can spell 'frugality') ' as promoting corporate drone mentality. Or insisting that 'liberty' be changed to 'freedom' to get the dreaded 'lib' syllable out of it.
Oh, this could be really fun. Let the wild rumpus start.
Then we start arguing over which ones should be male or female, age, race, whether to depict them as beautiful is 'looks-ist'. 9 of 10 Joe Sixpacks have no idea what a 'commonwealth' is but it sounds vaguely socialist. Not to mention hair-pulling, hand-wringing denunciations of 'industry' and 'frugality (among those few who can spell 'frugality') ' as promoting corporate drone mentality. Or insisting that 'liberty' be changed to 'freedom' to get the dreaded 'lib' syllable out of it.
Oh, this could be really fun. Let the wild rumpus start.
1
I would take all actual historical personages off the currency and leave only abstract symbols or perhaps scenery and wildlife. Avoid the issue entirely.
The tradition of putting faces on currency dates from ancient times, and the coinage changed for each ruler. Even now, that continues in the UK, Canada, and other Commonwealth countries whose coins bear the image of Elizabeth II. (I have a tie clip with a silver George III sovereign, as well as a variety of pre-decimal British coins with Victorias - plural, since her profile aged - Edward VII and both Georges V and VI.)
The idea of multiple versions of the bills, a Lincoln/Douglass or a Ross/Jackson, is not feasible now that vending machines take currency - or rather, sometimes they condescend to take it. It's difficult enough to coax a MetroCard dispenser to accept one's bills as it is, with the downtown A express already pulling in and the slot spitting back your $20 like an impudent tongue. Smooth it out ... turn it around ... oh deux est machina, excuse the racist image, accept this offering ... (and the train pulls out)
The tradition of putting faces on currency dates from ancient times, and the coinage changed for each ruler. Even now, that continues in the UK, Canada, and other Commonwealth countries whose coins bear the image of Elizabeth II. (I have a tie clip with a silver George III sovereign, as well as a variety of pre-decimal British coins with Victorias - plural, since her profile aged - Edward VII and both Georges V and VI.)
The idea of multiple versions of the bills, a Lincoln/Douglass or a Ross/Jackson, is not feasible now that vending machines take currency - or rather, sometimes they condescend to take it. It's difficult enough to coax a MetroCard dispenser to accept one's bills as it is, with the downtown A express already pulling in and the slot spitting back your $20 like an impudent tongue. Smooth it out ... turn it around ... oh deux est machina, excuse the racist image, accept this offering ... (and the train pulls out)
2
That's one more reason for eliminating the dollar bill and substituting one and two dollar coins.
Before Italy adopted the Euro, its paper currency featured not politicians but the great artists of its past - Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Giuseppe Verdi - in the watermark. Whose portraits grace our money says a lot about what we value as a nation. Given our worship of the almighty $ some might say we should feature portraits of the Morgans, Carnegies, Mellons, and Vanderbilts on our money. However, I think most would opt to honor our better angels. Just who those are is the rub. Our founding fathers? Our heroes of social progress? Our artists, writers, and musicians? This crisis of money seems to be a reflection of the crossroads we find ourself at in our overall crisis of values.
2
Not mentioned was Jackson's disastrous economic policies and his war against the Bank of the United States and the resulting economic downturn and the proliferation of wildcat banks that caused millions to lose their savings. Putting Jackson on currency is like putting Wayne Wheeler's picture on a bottle of rum.
I say we should put Theodore Roosevelt a great progressive leader and one of our greatest presidents or FDR who saved this country from the greatest economic catastrophe before George W Bush
I say we should put Theodore Roosevelt a great progressive leader and one of our greatest presidents or FDR who saved this country from the greatest economic catastrophe before George W Bush
54
FDR is a great choice, Teddy, not so great. He was no friend to Indians and took his manifest destiny all the way to the Philippines, whose "not-whites" he compared to savages; the real savages here were his naval officers.
1
Teddy and FDR were fine Presidens, but you're fooling yourself if you think they're immune from the same types of criticism made of Jackson et al. Teddy was a hunter (horrible killing innocent animals), launched the Great White Fleet and stormed up San Juan Hill (horrible, war monger, bully, xenophobe, racist, etc). FDR interred the Japanese during WWII (again, horrible, racist, xenophobe, hater), wanted us to join in the war (war monger), ignored the concentration camps (Anti-Semite), and, to some, worst of all he was a wealthy, aristocratic 1%-er (plutocrat, greedy, etc.).
Do I buy all of that? Of course not, but the point is no leader is immune to our modern hubris of being holier than thou and judging smaller or isolated items to the exclusion of all else. Coupled with the related penchant to on,y hold accountable those with whom you disagree and you see the quagmire we've created.
Do I buy all of that? Of course not, but the point is no leader is immune to our modern hubris of being holier than thou and judging smaller or isolated items to the exclusion of all else. Coupled with the related penchant to on,y hold accountable those with whom you disagree and you see the quagmire we've created.
1
And gets a big share of credit for the National Parks.
And gave the nation its identity as a champion of anti-colonialism, rather than a promoter of its corporate alter ego.
And gave the nation its identity as a champion of anti-colonialism, rather than a promoter of its corporate alter ego.
Why not replace him with Mark Twain ?
The 2000 Yen Note shows Murasaki Shikibu, greatest writer of Japan.
The 2000 Yen Note shows Murasaki Shikibu, greatest writer of Japan.
7
Mark Twain! I think that's a great idea! Yes, America's greatest writer.
Too much. You had my sympathy, and then you put me to sleep. Money has traditionally featured portraits of national leaders. I say leave the money as it is--presidents and founding dads.
8
The issue is about Jackson, a very controversial personage. I always felt it was Eleanor Roosevelts time. Her contributions to our country was remarkable. With interests in poverty, bringing nation together, women's rights, there is no one to compare. Never mind creating bills with apples, oranges and grapes. A great lady whose time for recognition has come.
The good, the bad, and the ugly
Yes.
Yes.
3
Get rid of the $1 bill, encourage the Susan B Anthony coin and put Washington on the $20. This would honor Washington. The $20 is probably the most commonly used bill because it is the one most distributed by ATMs. Rearrange the currency any way you want, but get rid of the $1 bill.
2
actually, the 100 is the most widely circulated. http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/11/-100-bills-make-up-8...
Get rid of pennies. Then we can talk dollars.
Why not a transgender like Bruce Jenner?
17
Washington then, Jenner now. Makes sense.
1
I would like to think that to qualify to be on our currency, your contribution to society should be a little grander than cutting your own (expletive) off. If he goes on to do great things then sure, but if cutting his genitalia is the defining act by which he should qualify, then I think he falls a little "short".
1
Why? What deserving thing has he done?
1
Inskeep is co-host of NPR's morning edition.It figures who else but the Left gets bent out of shapeover who is depicted on currency.
11
It's an important piece of symbolism - but I guess if you're ok with slavery and genocide of Native Americans...
Just don't put Reagan on it.
1
So, by your angry logic, anyone who brings up the subject deserves your derision? Does that include the right-wingers who have in the past clamored to put Reagan on the ten dollar bill? No? Just one-sided venom, eh? Thought so.
How about selecting one of the animals that we've exterminated or nearly exterminated from the North American continent? How about the Passenger Pigeon? Or a Buffalo?
18
Jackson also dissolved the Bank Of The United States a precursor, to the Federal Reserve with the same job of borrowing and printing money. He also paid off all the nations debts going back to the Revolution. Jackson hated banks and bankers and debt.
Today he might be elected just on that note.
Today he might be elected just on that note.
5
Eliminate all paper currency worth less than $5. Put Washington on the $20.
Problem solved.
Problem solved.
8
Oh my gosh, those horrible slave owners who created the greatest country on earth. They were terrible..
1
And have runaway inflation as a result. No thank you
Jackson should not stay on the $20 bill but the face that replaces his should be Harriet Tubman's (my vote), Eleanor Roosevelt's, Wilma Mankiller's or Rosa Parks'. This oped is an embarrassing book promo for Steve Inskeep because putting another former slave owner on our money is a non-starter.
96
I voted for Wilma.
Historically inaccurate. When Jackson was fifteen years old he received an inheritance from his grandfather in Ireland. The many other HAVES too like Washington and Jefferson were all from royal or semi royal privileged stock across the pond. Many were able to buy vast properties in America. Some ended up with powerful leadership roles. They were all second and third sons who had to stake out on their own across the sea because of English progenitor. That is why some American cities like Nashville today looks back to an English royalist past. The thought is; we are from English royalty. In some ways this was and is true. The original land owners had come from generations of genetically superior English royalist build up in IQ. Who has the Jackson/Jeffersonian privilege today?? As in the past, big money is calling the shots ; 1% owns 98% of the wealth in America.
www.InquiryAbraham.com
www.InquiryAbraham.com
6
Interesting points, but who says the wealthy landed gentry were genetically superior, and/or higher in IQ? Marriages would have been for economic advantage, and to consolidate power. Intelligence (or if you really mean I.Q., a measure of how well you probably will do in school) may have had little to do with it. First-born sons aren't an automatic guarantee of the best/brightest of the family, I imagine all that cousin-marrying wasn't such a hot idea for genetic strength, either.
1
"Genetically superior"? "Built up in IQ"? Good grief!
However, you are correct that big money is calling the shots.
However, you are correct that big money is calling the shots.
The EU faced the problem of which historical figures should be depicted on their common currency when they introduced the Euro in 2002 as a physical currency. They reached the only realistic solution available:
No actual people are depicted on any Euro note.
No actual people are depicted on any Euro note.
19
What? Not Napoleon?
Viva le Jackson!
4
For me, the problem isn't that Andrew Jackson should be commemorated somewhere other than on our currency. I completely agree that he's not one of our shining examples of democratic government, although the fact that he owned slaves shouldn't be determinative; it doesn't disqualify any of the other founding fathers, and doesn't tell us that he was a bad man. In my opinion his treatment of the Indians, and especially the Cherokee, in defiance of the order of the Supreme Court, is enough reason to replace him.
The question is with whom? There are few towering figures in American history, and nearly all were white men. There are great leaders in the struggle for civil rights, and women's rights, but none of them have the stature, or the gravitas, of George Washington or Abraham Lincoln. Not even Dr. King, Frederick Douglass, Eleanor Roosevelt, or Susan B. Anthony, I regret to say. I think that Franklin Roosevelt is the best choice, by far. He may be on the dime, but Washington is on the quarter, Jefferson on the nickel, Lincoln on the cent, and Franklin used to be on the half dollar. Theodore Roosevelt might be a second choice, since he's not on any currency.
Or, perhaps we should redesign all of our bills, and place symbolic representations of Liberty on them, as we used to before they were all displaced by presidents. Indians, buffalo, panoramas representing the progress of civil rights, women's rights, the founding fathers, agriculture, science and invention.
The question is with whom? There are few towering figures in American history, and nearly all were white men. There are great leaders in the struggle for civil rights, and women's rights, but none of them have the stature, or the gravitas, of George Washington or Abraham Lincoln. Not even Dr. King, Frederick Douglass, Eleanor Roosevelt, or Susan B. Anthony, I regret to say. I think that Franklin Roosevelt is the best choice, by far. He may be on the dime, but Washington is on the quarter, Jefferson on the nickel, Lincoln on the cent, and Franklin used to be on the half dollar. Theodore Roosevelt might be a second choice, since he's not on any currency.
Or, perhaps we should redesign all of our bills, and place symbolic representations of Liberty on them, as we used to before they were all displaced by presidents. Indians, buffalo, panoramas representing the progress of civil rights, women's rights, the founding fathers, agriculture, science and invention.
63
Dr. King lacks the stature and gravitas to appear on the $20? How unfortunate that, by that ridiculous comment, your post loses all credibility. Dr. King did, and still does, more to enact the underlying principles (betrayed in the literal of the Constitution by pragmatism) of the Declaration of Independence than anyone else proposed.
1
** There are few towering figures in American history, and nearly all were white men. **
Not even Dr. King, Frederick Douglass, Eleanor Roosevelt, or Susan B. Anthony has the stature needed to merit a face on our currency ??
Perhaps we should replace Jackson with the face of a Neanderthal.
Not even Dr. King, Frederick Douglass, Eleanor Roosevelt, or Susan B. Anthony has the stature needed to merit a face on our currency ??
Perhaps we should replace Jackson with the face of a Neanderthal.
1
Not even Dr. King? Seriously?
While we're changing things let's not forget different sizes and colors for each denomination. Useful for everyone; essential for the visually impaired.
144
Maybe a $3 bill with a woman on it?
And replace all of our wallets, cash register drawers, ATMs, etc.? A terrible idea.
Maybe you could make an argument for different sizes. No chance with colors (which obviously don't help the visually impaired). Greenbacks are iconic.
It is somewhat misleading to say that Jackson replaced Grover Cleveland. Rather, Jackson moved from the $5 to the $20 bill while Cleveland moved from the $20 to the $1000 bill. Jackson was not put on the $5 or moved to the $20 (both times by Republicans) to celebrate some Indian massacre. He should stay for all the reasons he was there to begin with. Read a history book if you don't know what they are.
4
With so many wonderful possibilities, perhaps it is time for the Treasury Department to go "postal" and issue more commemorative coins, like the recent series of quarters featuring the states and the Presidents on the obverse. While we are at it, let's take a hard look at the value of pennies. They cost more to make than they are worth, retail businesses and banks spend huge amounts of money handling them and -- where do they go? I suspect vast quantities are sitting in drawers and jars in people's homes.
6
While we're at it, can we please remove "in god we trust" - which is in blatant violation of the first amendment establishment clause.
201
That's just a historic reference, not an obligation to follow a cult. I'm an atheist, and I like that reference being on Dollar bills and courthouses. If only for its historic reference to the basis of our society's values, like it or not.
Amen bro! I cross out that on bills whenever I can.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"
How is it a blatant violation of the first amendment? Is it a law by congress that establishes a religion? What religion is it establishing? I say leave it.
How is it a blatant violation of the first amendment? Is it a law by congress that establishes a religion? What religion is it establishing? I say leave it.
Perhaps our currency should be like Jackson Soda and put user pictures on our currency. But, then again, who uses cash anymore?
Duke Ellington on the $100 would be appropriate.
8
Or Satchmo? (For those under 50, Louis Armstrong).
There was an online petition after he died to put Ray Charles on the $10 bill!
There's actually a movement afoot already to replace Jackson with a woman. You can find it here: http://www.womenon20s.org/
3
Jackson should go but John Ross is unknown to Americans.. Rosa Parks is perfect and already running for the spot at www.womenon20s.org. Vote for her.
8
Except Rosa Parks wasn't even the first black woman to refuse to move on a segregated bus. A number of brave black women proceeded her with this brave and symbolic act. Claudette Colvin preceeded Parks by nine months. Why not all of them?
Rosa Parks cannot be a heroine in today's culture.
She did not destroy the bus or shoot the driver.
She did not destroy the bus or shoot the driver.
When women are mentioned for honors someone always comes up with a man, no matter how obscure, to replace them.
96
How About George Washington and King George III on the $1.00.
3
No. it's time to put woman on our paper currency, the currency that people use everyday. This reminds me of those stories about black kids who get to be valedictorian of their high school classes and someone suddenly decides that in "fairness" there should be two valedictorians, the actual number one person and the person who came in second. The second person just happens to be white. Or when a critical number of women begin to make it to tenure, and the decision is made not to assign offices by seniority, but by lottery. John Ross is fine, but the fact that you had to explain to people who he is suggests that he does not loom large enough in the American consciousness to be put on a bill. Harriet Tubman, Eleanor Roosevelt, and any number of the other women who were in the running have enough of a profile across the country and the world to pull this off. Perhaps some day John Ross will have that profile. That is doubtful, but it certainly not close to being true now.
61
Is there any woman who matches the high level of accomplishment demonstrated by the other people on our bills? There isn't, and that's the obstacle here. The most accomplished women in our nation's history are admirable figures to be sure, but they don't come close to the top few old white men in terms of actual accomplishment , at least the dead ones. Ruth Bader Ginsberg could go toe to toe, and, in a few years, so could Hillary. Let's table this for a few years, the only women who really have a record deserving of currency on their own merits are still living.
Ronald Reagan deserves a place on our currency being America's greatest president.
12
Now that's funny! Hahahahaha!
7
Reagan is not this nations greatest President. Top 10 probably, but he isn't on the same level as Washington, Lincoln, and Franklin Roosevelt. I'd put him ahead of Truman and Wilson, but behind James K. Polk and T. Roosevelt. Reagan buried the Soviets under a mountain of military spending and sped up the collapse of European communism, but he and Congress also ran huge deficits and at least tripled the nations debt, oversaw a military disaster in Lebanon, and allowed his administration to illegally divert money from the secret sale of weapons to Iran to the Contras in Nicaragua.
1
I always appreciate some good sarcasm in the morning. Thanks!
2
I like the idea of auctioning off the $20 to the plutocrats. Next step, we could cut out the middlemen and simply have them bid for the government. Wait - that was tried before, in imperial Rome. As I recall my history, it didn't turn out well.
And, if we replace Jackson, the man of the majority of his time, let's replace him with a person of the majority of our time - a woman!
And, if we replace Jackson, the man of the majority of his time, let's replace him with a person of the majority of our time - a woman!
5
Since we can't seem to do anything about the increasing inequality of our economic system, we might as well make our currency look representative of a diverse society of equals. When reality becomes intractable, symbolic action offers some, well, symbolic relief.
12
Totally agree, a completely empty and shallow gesture.
Let us keep Jackson and get rid of Hamilton. Jackson vetoed the Central Bank. Hamilton was the architect of our current Banking system that impoverishes savers, and rewards criminal banking.
5
How can you omit John Adams? He was more responsible for American independence than Franklin or Jefferson.
17
I'd prefer Abigail Adams--"Remember the women.."
I think this is basically a great idea .. Someone on each side ... a smart informative article.
7
"A smart informative article" (sic) accomplishing what?
Hey we could probably get 4 or 5 faces on each side of a bill. With 5 demoninations (1, 5, 10, 50, and 100) we could get 50 faces on the bill. That should just about cover it.
Why don't we just sell the right to appear on our currency? For example, we could have the Koch brothers appear on the $20 for a limited time period, like a decade. Then another oligarch could take the place of pride.
Then every time we use cash, we'll be reminded of who's in charge.
Then every time we use cash, we'll be reminded of who's in charge.
22
Good grief, Charlie Brown, another one.
5
Old Hickory won the Battle of New Orleans. He stays.
6
Replace deceased presidents with the images of still-living hedge-fund managers & bank CEOs.
19
Remember, corporations are people too. How about a Pepsi or Coke logo on the twenty?
It goes without saying G Washington will have to be replaced on the sawbuck by Exxon Mobil.
It goes without saying G Washington will have to be replaced on the sawbuck by Exxon Mobil.
If we were going to have a new President on currency who had never been on currency before, my vote would be Theodore Roosevelt. In fact, it is time to retire paper currency in denominations under $5, as Canada has done. Washington on the $1 coin for continuity, and Theodore Roosevelt on the $2 coin.
13
Despite many a contender, Ted Cruz would be a perfect candidate for our own version of the Loony.
22
"Should Jackson Stay on the $20 Bill?"
In a word, no. I've despised Andrew Jackson since I first learned who he was. Americans sometimes appear utterly blind to the awful destructiveness that characterized the history of their country's territorial expansion. Others were not so blind.
It was a revelation to me to learn a few years ago (in a column written by Ta-Nehisi Coates) that the German Nazis of the 1930s actually derived a good deal of inspiration from the brutal, westward territorial expansion of European settlers and their descendants on the North American continent during the 19th century. Hitler's own plans for a "drang nach osten" (penetration of the east) that culminated in the horrific Operation Barbarossa of June 1941 were in many ways modeled on the "penetration of the west" in the United States that had been given such a big push by Jackson more than a century earlier.
In other words, the Germans decided they would do to the Jews, Gypsies, Russians, and other Slavic peoples what the white Americans had done to the indigenous peoples of North America--wipe them off the face of the earth. The difference, of course, is that the Russians and their fellow Soviet citizens turned out not to be defenseless and helpless in the face of the German onslaught and eventually exacted a terrible revenge exactly 70 years ago.
So no, I don't think Jackson should stay on the $20 bill. I nominate Ona Judge, a woman who escaped slavery from George Washington's plantation.
In a word, no. I've despised Andrew Jackson since I first learned who he was. Americans sometimes appear utterly blind to the awful destructiveness that characterized the history of their country's territorial expansion. Others were not so blind.
It was a revelation to me to learn a few years ago (in a column written by Ta-Nehisi Coates) that the German Nazis of the 1930s actually derived a good deal of inspiration from the brutal, westward territorial expansion of European settlers and their descendants on the North American continent during the 19th century. Hitler's own plans for a "drang nach osten" (penetration of the east) that culminated in the horrific Operation Barbarossa of June 1941 were in many ways modeled on the "penetration of the west" in the United States that had been given such a big push by Jackson more than a century earlier.
In other words, the Germans decided they would do to the Jews, Gypsies, Russians, and other Slavic peoples what the white Americans had done to the indigenous peoples of North America--wipe them off the face of the earth. The difference, of course, is that the Russians and their fellow Soviet citizens turned out not to be defenseless and helpless in the face of the German onslaught and eventually exacted a terrible revenge exactly 70 years ago.
So no, I don't think Jackson should stay on the $20 bill. I nominate Ona Judge, a woman who escaped slavery from George Washington's plantation.
88
Indigenous people are still among us. Get to know them.
1
If Jackson were alive today, he would be declared a war criminal by the International court that America refuses to join.
Ever wonder why America has an image problem in the rest of the world and has a double standard.
In Canada, we were much more civilized. We didn't kill the Indains in war, we just starved them to death.
Ever wonder why America has an image problem in the rest of the world and has a double standard.
In Canada, we were much more civilized. We didn't kill the Indains in war, we just starved them to death.
Don't believe everything you read. The Germans preached hatred of the Jews a hundred years before the holocaust (read Hitler's Willing Executioners by Goldhagen). They didn't need to be inspired by our treatment of the Indians. History is replete with instances of genocide.
1
I still believe the time has come to replace Jackson, Grant, and Franklin with three women.
18
I'll bet you're a woman.
1
Grant freed the slaves. Lincoln signed the paper, but Grant went and did it. He fought all of his campaigns in enemy territory, against opponents who were usually defending fortified positions. We were losing the war until he turned the tide with his generalship and courage. Grant was constantly in harms way during the war, which allowed him to seize the initiative and innovate.
Grant was also know as "the best friend the Indian ever had" when he was president, and helped create Yellowstone, America's first national park- a model for the world. He unfortunately was president at a time of crony capitalism, but his record as president and as a general are much better than most people believe, thanks to 150 years of slander and half-truths from southern historians. Grant also died nearly penniless. He did not use his position or power to enrich himself.
Grant is one of the few presidents that one can really point to as a "man of the people". His wife's family were slave owners, and were embarrassed at how hard Grant worked on his farm, and at the family tannery. They thought that "no white man should work that hard". He was a poor, blue collar worker for much of his life.
Additionally, he wrote the greatest autobiography by a US president, staying up all night, writing by candlelight for months as he was dying of cancer, so that his family would have an income after he was gone.
Grant was also know as "the best friend the Indian ever had" when he was president, and helped create Yellowstone, America's first national park- a model for the world. He unfortunately was president at a time of crony capitalism, but his record as president and as a general are much better than most people believe, thanks to 150 years of slander and half-truths from southern historians. Grant also died nearly penniless. He did not use his position or power to enrich himself.
Grant is one of the few presidents that one can really point to as a "man of the people". His wife's family were slave owners, and were embarrassed at how hard Grant worked on his farm, and at the family tannery. They thought that "no white man should work that hard". He was a poor, blue collar worker for much of his life.
Additionally, he wrote the greatest autobiography by a US president, staying up all night, writing by candlelight for months as he was dying of cancer, so that his family would have an income after he was gone.
If we have to have fallible, imperfect human beings on our money, why statesmen and politicians? How about inventors, scientists, poets, and others who contributed more than laws and military victories to the country? Benjamin Franklin, inventor and scientist is a good choice, but the rest of them?
Or better still, let us go back to the way it was done in the 19th century in which ideals and abstractions only were worthy of such an honor. Personifications of
Liberty, Justice, Peace, Equality, etc. Liberty was portrayed as a native American on cents from 1857 to 1909, and on nickels from 1913 to 1938: why not now? Equality could be portrayed as a black woman. Justice has always been portrayed as a woman with a disability: she's blind. Part Classical mythology, part modern symbolism.
For centuries throughout Europe the head or face of the sovereign appeared on the money. Since 1776, in this country, supposedly, the people are sovereign: so lets put the People, symbolically represented, on the money. Not dead white men: let's get over this cult of personality and celebrity, and get back to the supposed essence of what America is about: popular sovereignty, and the ideals of truly just, free, and equal society.
Or better still, let us go back to the way it was done in the 19th century in which ideals and abstractions only were worthy of such an honor. Personifications of
Liberty, Justice, Peace, Equality, etc. Liberty was portrayed as a native American on cents from 1857 to 1909, and on nickels from 1913 to 1938: why not now? Equality could be portrayed as a black woman. Justice has always been portrayed as a woman with a disability: she's blind. Part Classical mythology, part modern symbolism.
For centuries throughout Europe the head or face of the sovereign appeared on the money. Since 1776, in this country, supposedly, the people are sovereign: so lets put the People, symbolically represented, on the money. Not dead white men: let's get over this cult of personality and celebrity, and get back to the supposed essence of what America is about: popular sovereignty, and the ideals of truly just, free, and equal society.
75
Jefferson, Jackson and Franklin all "contributed more than laws and military victories." Maybe Americans should learn why these people are on the money before debating whether to take them off.
Just a quibble: Justice isn't blind, she's blindfolded. But I see your point.
1
Bejay of Williamsburg: "Liberty, Justice, Peace, Equality"? You mean homage to four virtues that have nearly disappeared from the American scene? More accurate would be "a black man in prison, a rich man going scot free, dead Iraqi civilians, and an image of a man towering over a woman".
Still too many men in this proposal.
21
Replace all people on money with portraits of American accomplishments: National parks and forests, revered monuments, engineering marvels.
239
Best idea I have yet.
Good idea, except that the concept would be confronted with the same bias demanding white men be removed from currency. Mount Rushmore would seem like a great contender, but... white men. Other monuments: white men. Engineering marvels: damn, white men again. Either we start building a bunch of monuments to celebrate random minority/female figures, or we rewrite our history books according to special interests. How about replacing Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial with Betsy Ross? Nah, she was white, and feminists wouldn't want to be represented by a woman stereotypically sewing anything, even a flag.
Rosa Parks? She would certainly please, but I'm not sure refusing to sit in the back of a bus really equates with anything credited to the Founding Fathers, no offense.
Specific recognizable scenes from, say, the Grand Canyon, would no doubt be opposed by other states as unfair publicity for local tourism, and Liberals and La Raza sympathisers would be offended that Joe Arpaio's state be promoted on national currency.
A bald eagle would seem fine to me, except that some would see that as a representation of American Imperialism, no good either, ouch. Plus bald = old; all that's missing are the slurs "white", and "man", and there you go: major no-no again. Damn, this really isn't easy.
I would suggest a typical scene of the old west: buffalo roaming a vast plain. But would that be somehow demeaning to Indi... er, Native Americans?
I give up.
Rosa Parks? She would certainly please, but I'm not sure refusing to sit in the back of a bus really equates with anything credited to the Founding Fathers, no offense.
Specific recognizable scenes from, say, the Grand Canyon, would no doubt be opposed by other states as unfair publicity for local tourism, and Liberals and La Raza sympathisers would be offended that Joe Arpaio's state be promoted on national currency.
A bald eagle would seem fine to me, except that some would see that as a representation of American Imperialism, no good either, ouch. Plus bald = old; all that's missing are the slurs "white", and "man", and there you go: major no-no again. Damn, this really isn't easy.
I would suggest a typical scene of the old west: buffalo roaming a vast plain. But would that be somehow demeaning to Indi... er, Native Americans?
I give up.
Sure, a nuclear cloud on a twenty would look pretty good and I'm sure you could get republicans to go along with it.
2
That train left the station. The question is which woman will replace him.
5
@ blue state, shouldn't that have been spelt "womyn"?
1
What revisionist rubbish, so typically and repellantly fascist in its thorough-going impetus to minimise and sweep aside all the disagreeable aspects of history that a preachy exponent of self-righteousness would find offensive in the 21st century! My ancestors owned plan'ations as they called them, along with the people who made them wealthy and fought for the Confederates in that ill-conceived war. Does that mean I should spend my summer vacations digging their remains out of their graves and symbolically staking them through the heart because now I disapprove of what they did 160 years ago?
21
That would be a good start
21
Are you suggesting there wasn't something fundamentally immoral about your family owning the people that made them wealthy? How about the beatings and mutilations regularly used to prevent those people from rebelling or running away from your family? How about the century or so of lynchings following that "ill-conceived" war?
And removing Jackson is an acknowledgment that there was something fundamentally immoral about the 3 centuries of a policy of genocide towards American Indians. I'm not an expert on moral judgments, but failing to pay close attention to "Thou shalt not kill" seems like a bad idea.
And removing Jackson is an acknowledgment that there was something fundamentally immoral about the 3 centuries of a policy of genocide towards American Indians. I'm not an expert on moral judgments, but failing to pay close attention to "Thou shalt not kill" seems like a bad idea.
10
Revisionism actually refers to re-examining historical persons and movements with a critical eye, which is the opposite of "sweeping aside" anything. If you read the article before ascending to that high horse, you might have known it doesn't advocate forgetting about Jackson – the good or the bad – but rather placing him in some context.
2
This is a superb idea! And kudos to Inskeep for giving us a clear headed nuanced work up of the issues, refreshingly free of high dudgeon. (hoping I remembered his name right).
I'm not sure who is free enough of sin to deserve placement on our money. Didn't Jesus himself scourge the moneylenders? Surely that is anathema in today's America.
3
Jackson's hatred of the bankers would give him a good platform today.
Except for his stunningly handsome portrayal one has to wonder why this thieving bloodthirsty creature, this slave owner (let's not forget bigamist) made it to the Twenty. Women, Native Americans, and African Americans deserve a better Twenty.
65
You misspelled "genocidal maniac."
1
We should eliminate most presidents and stick with less problematic people that may have even been vilified in their own time for their antagonizing beliefs. Inventors may also be good.
Actually, our currency has often lagged behind other countries as far as innovation and who it represents. Australia has an Aborigine inventor on its plastic bill. America can't identify with any part of that last statement. Archaeologists of the future will think we were aggressive and militaristic in who we tend to feature on our currency, which is our best way to represent ourselves to each other and the outside world.
Actually, our currency has often lagged behind other countries as far as innovation and who it represents. Australia has an Aborigine inventor on its plastic bill. America can't identify with any part of that last statement. Archaeologists of the future will think we were aggressive and militaristic in who we tend to feature on our currency, which is our best way to represent ourselves to each other and the outside world.
61
South Africa has animals - the Big Five- on the national currency. Egypt has iconic monuments.
I agree that future archeologists will see the US as militaristic and aggressive. As we developed our present country we were (are?) both. So naturally our character is displayed on our currency as such.
1
Good idea. In Europe, bank notes are treated like commemorative stamps, with the portraits on them not just of many famous scientists, artists, inventors (Alexander Graham Bell's mug is on Scottish money), and musicians, but they change the money every so often. We'd have a whole lot people on money
1
Canada has some really cool Mylar bills now. I say put Hillary on the $20, no wait, the $1,000 bill would be better. Who the heck is Ross, and does anyone care? Stick with Jackson.
2
And my response to the article was I want learn more about this Ross. Should he be in the history books, and if so why is he not. I'd prefer to see Harriet Tubman or Mother Jones than Jackson. Though MJ woul probably not approve.
i care and enough care not to have a genocidal slave owner on the money.
Seriously, who even uses cash anymore??? In principle, I agree about Andrew Jackson, but this will work itself out as the $20.00 will become obsolete.
Why not repeal U.S. Code Title 31, Subtitle IV, Chapter 51, Subchapter II, section 5114 (b) calling for the portraits of deceased individuals and replace them with, say, birds of North America?
12
Great American art/artists.
1
Jackson was a true great of greats. If you want to boot someone from the paper money, why not Hamilton or Grant?
Hamilton is one of the true architects of this country, especially the economy. I can't see why he is a common target of replacement when this issue comes up. The irony of removing Hamilton, above all others, from US currency, is apparently lost on a lot of her citizens.
12
Hamilton and Grant must stay. As should Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Franklin. McKinley is a good choice to go.
Hamilton?? If any of the founders should be on money its him!!! He created so much of our monetary policy that has put us on the road to 250 years of stability. Hamilton in my view was the most brilliant of the founders and is too often overlooked. Please give the man his due.
4
The Koch brothers. It's all their money anyway.
60
Obviously, Reagan should be on every bill.
23
Sarcasm, I hope?
13
With Ayn Rand on every back.
20
Reagan should be on no bills!
9
If you had made the case that since Jackson dismantled the national bank and subsequently caused a deep depression, I could buy into your case for replacement. But you didn't. So I would go with a President that did support a national banking system and sound money, TR.
6
Roosevelt was a racist who tried to crush the will of colonized Filipinos through torture and terror. Millions of Filipinos died.
He also ceded a foreign nation (Korea) to another nation (Japan) to end the Russo-Japanese War (this is unconstitutional). Millions of Koreans suffered and thousands died. Korea didn't rebound until the 1970's.
He also ceded a foreign nation (Korea) to another nation (Japan) to end the Russo-Japanese War (this is unconstitutional). Millions of Koreans suffered and thousands died. Korea didn't rebound until the 1970's.
3
Again, that's why removing Hamilton from the $10 should be off-limits.
1
Yes, agreed he created the national bank
Eliza Lucas Pinkney, Colonial entrepreneur. A contemporary of George Washington who was a pall bearer at her funeral. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliza_Lucas
We are so politically correct, we are twisting and turning ourselves into a pretzel. So with that in mind, why not a pretzel on the $20
53
In my experience, "politically correct" is a term that is most often used to replace "plainly correct" by those who couldn't be bothered to consider any challenge to their already-made-up minds.
112
Why does the notion of beginning to start honoring folks who are not white males have to fall into the category of "political correctness"? I put it squarely in the category of, "common sense". It's time to start thinking outside of the white male box.
164
Ugh, I hate that term. What dies that even mean? Why do people have to diminish any attempt at fairness in the public sphere, even on something as essentially meaningless as who is on our money, with an assumption that it is done as a response to pressure groups and not as an attempt at fair play.
19
Andrew Jackson represents democracy, majority rule, equality, and the 99%. Modern America finds all that kind of thing obsolete.
7
Democracy? Equality? For white males. He barred abolition materials from the mail and set up a spoils system to dispense political favors based in patronage rather than merit. Keep him on the twenty dollar bill by all means, but you should brush up a bit on your history a bit.
28
Democracy, majority rule, equality? Perhaps a stretch to say that. His election victory over J Q Adams would not have happened if the nefarious 3/5's rule were not in place. Same could be said for Jefferson's victory over J Q's father.
1
Our billionaires are pretty vain. Why not have the plutocrats bid on whose face goes on the $20 bill. At least that would raise money for the Treasury to replace some of the money that truly wealthy people avoid in paying taxes due to their control of our Congress. Also, it would be a good reminder to the little people as to who owns our country. Remember the song "This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land"? Well, more and more this land belongs to the plutocrats and pretty soon the only land you'll own free and clear is the patch you're buried on IMO.
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I'm sure Donald Trump would pay a pretty penny to appear on one of our bills: though he might not settle for anything less than the $100. Hardly anyone sees anything larger than a $100, so his vanity would not be served as well on the really large denominations.
Or maybe just " $ " in the place of the various portraits.
Or maybe just " $ " in the place of the various portraits.
1
Naming rights! Brilliant! I have also long thought members of Congress should wear uniforms like Nascar drivers showing the logos of those who have bought, um, support them.
2
Now that's "politically correct" as in correctly portraying our current politics.
You know, there's something good about having one president on money who was actually a stud.
Jackson was grossly imperfect? Seriously? You want to talk?
Jackson was grossly imperfect? Seriously? You want to talk?
2
Seriously? You want to write? "...money who was actually a stud." What does that sentence even mean? Oy.
2
Do we put people on our bills to honor them or to tell our story? If it is the former, as most believe, then Andrew Jackson should be removed from the $20. He played a considerable role in forming post-Revolutionary War, pre-Civil War America, but his policies and beliefs do not travel well, to put it mildly. As Jonathan Chait wrote last December, "Gazing at Jackson with modern eyes reveals him as a perfect model for the modern reactionary, combining a Ron Paul–esque hatred of central banking, a Scalia-esque strict constructionism, a Sarah Palin–esque hatred for intellectuals, and a George W. Bush–esque love of military brio." This seems much closer to capturing the real Old Hickory than portrayals in distant or recent biographies that lean toward hagiography.
Mr. Inskeep's idea to diminish the dominance of the Founders and Framers on our bills is a good one, however. Four of the seven bills should not be exclusive to a single generation. We should use the bills to tell a more comprehensive story, which is definitely one that includes women and minorities. One commenter's stab at a revision:
$1 - George Washington and Benjamin Franklin
$2 - Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson
$5 - Sacagawea, Meriwether Lewis, and William Clark
$10 - Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant
$20 - Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass and Chief Joseph
$50 - Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt
$100 - Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Lyndon B. Johnson
Mr. Inskeep's idea to diminish the dominance of the Founders and Framers on our bills is a good one, however. Four of the seven bills should not be exclusive to a single generation. We should use the bills to tell a more comprehensive story, which is definitely one that includes women and minorities. One commenter's stab at a revision:
$1 - George Washington and Benjamin Franklin
$2 - Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson
$5 - Sacagawea, Meriwether Lewis, and William Clark
$10 - Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant
$20 - Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass and Chief Joseph
$50 - Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt
$100 - Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Lyndon B. Johnson
30
Jackson was opposed to a privately owned and controlled bank with central banking powers. His point of view still prevails -- our current central bank, which began as the so-called Aldrich reserve, was unacceptable until it was agreed that the directors would be public appointees.
too confusing..
also, 2 guys get to share one bill, 1/2 & 1/2, but when a woman is added to the mix she gets only 1/3 of the billing?
also, 2 guys get to share one bill, 1/2 & 1/2, but when a woman is added to the mix she gets only 1/3 of the billing?
3
Lyndon B. Johnson? The guy who drowned us in the Vietnam War? The guy whose behavior exemplified the notion of Americans as bumpkins?
1
Now we have to have politically correct money? Sure dump Jackson after a hundred years, but what did "Ross" actually do? Why not pick one of the dozens of famous native Americans who actually accomplished something? Or anyone who did something?
19
I think you might improve your perspective with a little more reading in the history of Caucasian relationships with Native Americans. I say that as someone whose ancestors were burned out twice by Mohawk patriots in the Mohawk River in the 18th century, and on another side, burned out in the Wyoming Valley massacre in the 18th century. That doesn't account for the ancestors who fought seven wars with the Native Americans in New England between 1638 and 1763. The Indians who attacked my ancestors were patriots fighting for their hereditary lands.
5
This article goes far in telling the truth; why not go ALL the way and honor the man who GAVE Jackson his first significant military victory at the expense of his own military career? Jackson and John Williams, my g-g-g grandfather, feuded to the grave - WE LOST! He wasn't satisfied with that so he took his Senate seat, had he and his wife ostracized in their hometown of Knoxville, and both died mysteriously. As for the Cherokee, they had no better friend than Col. Williams who spent his last winter with them at New Echota directing their Supreme Court fight and died on the trail to Washington trying to prevent the Trail of Tears. The fact that no one has even heard of this Renaissance man is PROOF that the Democratic Party buried his writings and place in history of the time. I can prove everything I say; have me on the program and I'll explain how six generations of our family cope with such dishonor. Don't take him off the bill, use it to cause a catharsis by letting those who were harmed give him the black eye he deserves.
Major Ross is not above reproach. Let us honor a woman, Harriet Beecher Stowe, whose Uncle Tom's Cabin brought the reality of plantation slavery to thousands of ordiinary Americans and prepared the way for a vigorous opposition.
6
OK, let's take a "man/woman on the street" poll and see how many average Americans can name who is on the bills from $1 to $100. People see the significance of the design in the number, not the picture. How many Americans think about the biography of the people on our bills and coins when they have one in their hands? Is this really a significant problem we need to solve now? I agree with everything the writer says, including the clever idea of including two faces on bills. Everything except the need for a column on a matter of symbolism when there are so many substantive issues we refuse to tackle. Sort of like Congress being great at renaming post offices and federal buildings, which it is, rather than passing budgets and appropriations bills. A number of years ago, a university I taught at in the 70's and 80's changed its name to sound less regional. When I read of this, I thought,"Wow! Is that the biggest problem they have these days? Things must be going great if there's time to spend worrying about the name of the place." Things must be going great if we have time to worry about pictures on money.
8
Maybe this obsession with naming things takes the focus off of problems we need to be focusing on. The congress is really good at this diversionary tactic.
We won't be able to solve our contemporary problems if we know not our history.
3
Relying on our having bigger problems to avoid ever having to address or redress 'smaller' problems is a formula we should avoid. Who is on our currency and who represents our hopes and aspirations for the future of our country and our people isn't unimportant.
Sure the writer must have bigger concerns himself or herself than to write the Times on so small a matter: shouldn't his or her time and energies go address something more profound and urgent, if we accept such reasoning?
Who is on our money and our stamps and who we honor with statues and monuments and holidays matters continually and having such conversations helps us understand one another so that we have a hope of addressing 'bigger' concerns.
Sure the writer must have bigger concerns himself or herself than to write the Times on so small a matter: shouldn't his or her time and energies go address something more profound and urgent, if we accept such reasoning?
Who is on our money and our stamps and who we honor with statues and monuments and holidays matters continually and having such conversations helps us understand one another so that we have a hope of addressing 'bigger' concerns.
Ross should not be on the @0 because he took up slavery. Not all Cherokee did. Many fought on the side of the Union as did my ancestors, even after they were forced to walk the Trail of Tears.
10
This is a great and just idea, lets support it.
2
Of course Jackson should stay on the $20.00 bill. I fail to understand why there's this sudden rush to replace Jackson, in the name of political correctness, for a woman. No, I'm not turning my back on my gender but why is there a need to replace him now? Jackson is the only Democratic President on our currency!! (Washington was President before the advent of political parties and Lincoln and Grant are Republicans) Old Hickory was the hero of the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. As President, Jackson took on the big banks and powerful special interests. He was the first president who wasn't some aristocrat like Washington and Jefferson. Come on, why can't we just leave well enough alone?? I'm OK with Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson remaining on $20.00.
25
As the article indicates, Jackson's greatest achievement was standing against John C. Calhoun and Nullification.
2
Well regulated big banks are engines of growth for our economy.
Um. Thomas Jefferson is a Democrat, and on our money -- the $2 and the 5¢ piece. FDR is on the dime.
I think Jackson should be replaced with the person who has not sinned.
As Frank Costanza said during the Festivus dinner, "I got a lot of problems with you people."
Name one person that we can place on the bill who is free of sin.
As Frank Costanza said during the Festivus dinner, "I got a lot of problems with you people."
Name one person that we can place on the bill who is free of sin.
11
Susan B. Anthony
3
The problem is using a "person" at all. Liberty, personified, was the only person to appear on any of our coins until 1909, and appeared on at least one of them until 1948. Let's get her back, along with Equality, Justice, and a few others who could be named. They are the "persons" who should be on our money.
4
And who has suggested that standard for being on a bill? The idea seems more to be perhaps changing from the truly odious to the less truly odious and maybe at the same time acknowledging that history is not just an endless parade of wealthy white men.
Or at least it shouldn't be.
Or at least it shouldn't be.
Mr. Inskeep makes a good case, but if changes are going to be made why not think outside the box of politicians and warriors? Why not expand into worlds where there are heroes in US history: culture and the arts. EU countries and others around the world have been doing this for centuries. Honor the women and men whose contributions outlast wars and politics and thereby remind us daily of the most meaningful heritage US history has to offer. That said I add the personal thought that the artist or artists would likely wretch at the current design of US currency.
2
There's a difference between "wretch" and "retch." Otherwise I agree with you.
4
"The trouble lies in how Jackson made the country we inherited. His troops massacred Indians. He coerced Native Americans into surrendering land through unjust treaties. In 1830, President Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, supporting a policy to push all natives west of the Mississippi."
Not the first nor the last time that a mass migration changed the native population forever. The Greek, Roman, Persian, Ottoman empires, the European explorers, and many others have extended their cultures and traditions into foreign lands, and changed them, for better or worse.
Is there a lesson here for Europe and the modern U.S., given the mass migrations of foreigners into these countries?
Not the first nor the last time that a mass migration changed the native population forever. The Greek, Roman, Persian, Ottoman empires, the European explorers, and many others have extended their cultures and traditions into foreign lands, and changed them, for better or worse.
Is there a lesson here for Europe and the modern U.S., given the mass migrations of foreigners into these countries?
3
I thought Gail Collins already resolved this question, and that it would be a woman. I suggested Hester Prynne. Many reasons, but best of all she's fictional, like so much of popular history. No real person could be so suitable.
6
Is it not time that a woman's face was on one of our notes?
Suggesting that Harriet Beecher Stowe share a $50 with a man hardly address the problem. If we decide she is the best candidate then she should not have to alternate with anyone.
Suggesting that Harriet Beecher Stowe share a $50 with a man hardly address the problem. If we decide she is the best candidate then she should not have to alternate with anyone.
5
your suggestions have merit, but I can envision heads exploding all across the South and throughout Wingnutia.
"But what about our glorious heritages of state's rights and manifest destiny?"
"But what about our glorious heritages of state's rights and manifest destiny?"
6
I'm not opposed to putting your choice on money, but I liked the idea of it being a woman, especially a black woman.
4
my personal choice has no shot
But I like Paul Robeson a lot,
Slave owners for one
Like T. Jefferson
Should have to relinquish their spot.
But I like Paul Robeson a lot,
Slave owners for one
Like T. Jefferson
Should have to relinquish their spot.
8
Larry-- T Jefferson briefly made his appearance on our money on the $2.00 bill and I haven't seen too many of those lately. George Washington owned slaves too and I haven't heard any calls to replace him on the One Dollar Bill.
5
I like Robeson too but not his Communism; perhaps Marian Anderson is a better choice, but I think she's on an I-Bond. Also, since all of us white people are descended from voluntary immigrants to the United States, I wouldn't be so quick to condemn the Founding Fathers for their moral failures. The country was built to a large extent on slavery and the slave trade, but we are still here.
Sharon 5101
Washington freed his slaves at his death.
Jefferson did not. He kept his own children
by Sally Hemings as slaves.
Washington freed his slaves at his death.
Jefferson did not. He kept his own children
by Sally Hemings as slaves.
6