I sensed it long before it became a reality. It was about about 25 years ago that I started not caring about the penny. The 25 years prior to that, I knew that it meant something. You see when I was growing up, a penny did some wonderful things
A PENNY OPEN SOME PRETTY BIG DOORS
You could go into a candy store (they call them liquor stores today) and not only purchase quite a bit with a penny, but have several good choices to do so. Yes, it is incredible to imagine that today. Look what we did. We killed off the dream of every child to be able to be a big spender and look forward to a trip the corner candy store. What value do you put on something like that?
ITS LIKE GOING ON A MINI-VACATION TODAY
At the candy store, I would ask the usual questions. How much is that one? How about that one. The person answering the questions would have the heart of a child and the patience of a saint. This one is a penny and this one is two for a penny. I will take the two for penny one please. You get two? Wow!
A GOLDMINE IN A DIME!
Walking home from school, one could find a penny and that meant a trip to the candy store. Oh joy! I remember when I found a dime. A whole dime. I couldn't believe my good fortune. I was so excited. I was on top of the world. I raced to the candy store and took my time. Usually I don't take so long, but having a dime presented a pleasant problem.
IN SHANGRA LA
I had so many choices to make all... pleasant I might add. I ended up with a coke, 3 stick pretzels, some bazooka chewing gum and some licorice. Let me point out that the coke is what a medium size drink is today and only cost 4-6 cents. They would mix it right there for you in a glass. First some syrup, then the seltzer and then the guy would stir it with a long spoon like the kind they used for the banana splits.
HIT THIS AGAIN PLEASE
After a few sips or swallows, you could ask for more seltzer or more coke syrup if you liked it sweeter. I would sit at the counter which was a privilege at the time. The view from there to a child was exciting and fun.
Every billionaire out there today should recreate this experience for every child growing up in every city across the United States. This type of activity is so important in shaping your values and developing a sense of belonging.
TODAY'S PENNY EXPERIENCE
For years now, I take those pennies and then just throw them in a be water bottle or a glass ashtray. They sit there for months and months. When I get good and ready, I will take all that change to the local market where there is a coin machine that you can dump it all into. It counts it all up and spits out very few dollar bills.
No excitement, no pleasure, no looking forward to it. It is a drudgery and a nuisance now.
What happened?
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