The government’s decision to stop minting pennies has triggered a bit of a cash crisis, especially for our favorite dining spots! The National Restaurant Association is now raising the alarm and asking for some serious help from Congress to keep those shiny coins in circulation. They want the Federal Reserve to ensure existing pennies stay in play and are even looking for some legal protection against lawsuits tied to rounding issues. It’s a wild ride when you realize a whopping quarter of all restaurant transactions are still done in cash, making change a bit of a headache for everyone involved. So, while it’s all fun and games, it’s also a reminder that sometimes our leaders might not think things all the way through—classic government, am I right? Let’s dive into the chaos and see how we can make cents of it all!

Takeaways:

1. The government stopped minting pennies, leading to unexpected lobbying from the restaurant industry.
2. The National Restaurant Association is pushing for solutions like rounding rules and continued circulation of pennies.
3. Cash transactions are still significant, with a quarter of all restaurant dealings involving cash payments.
4. The abrupt decision to stop minting pennies has made daily transactions trickier for both businesses and customers.
5. It's amusing yet frustrating to see how government decisions can overlook the ripple effects on everyday life.
6. We encourage listeners to share their thoughts on these topics at jamesabrown.net, because your opinions matter!

James A. Brown takes us on a whimsical ride through the somewhat predictable world of government decisions and their unexpected ripple effects. Picture this: the government decides to stop minting pennies, and before you can say 'copper coin', the National Restaurant Association comes knocking, asking for a lifeline. It's like when you forget to water your plants and suddenly they're all wilting—except in this case, businesses are feeling the pinch in a big way. We're talking about how a quarter of all restaurant transactions still involve cold, hard cash, which means that without those pesky pennies, making change could become a real headache for both customers and cashiers alike. We dive into the nitty-gritty of the Association’s plea for the Fed to keep those existing pennies circulating and for Congress to step up with some rounding rules. What does that even mean? Well, it’s like asking for a safety net when you're on a tightrope, trying to balance your cash register while the government makes a decision that seems, well, a tad shortsighted. The conversation takes a playful spin as we ponder the implications of these choices, sprinkled with a dash of humor about how often the government seems to overlook the little guy. And let’s be real, it’s not just about coins; it’s about how we navigate this cashless world and the quirks that come with it. So grab a snack (maybe something that doesn’t cost a penny), and let’s dig into what this all means for our wallets and our local diners.

Links referenced in this episode:

1. jamesabrown.net

This is the Daily note from jamesabrown.net this one was so predictable.

The government stopped minting pennies, and within weeks the National Restaurant association is lobbying for relief.

They want the Federal Reserve to keep circulating existing pennies and Congress to pass rounding rules.

They also want safe harbor from lawsuits.

And the logic is pretty strong here.

They say a quarter of all restaurant transactions are still all cash.

All this means making change is harder on businesses and people.

But what's funny to me here, and kind of sad too, is our government apparently didn't care or ask or consider the consequences of their choices.

Par for the course, I suppose.

What do you think?

Let me know on jamesabrown.net on that note.

I'm James A.

Brown, and as always, be well.