My mentor, Charles “Red” Scott, coined a “redism” that I use a lot in my life… “Cash ain’t cash unless it’s cash.”
The meaning of the “ism” was…it doesn’t matter how much stuff you have or even how much credit you are given, there is nothing like cash in hand to make a person rich. Stuff rots. Credit has to be paid back. But cash is yours and the more of it you have, the more power you have over your life.
The Florida Legislature is taking up the issue of a growing trend where businesses, including sports and entertainment venues, are adopting a cashless payment system, requiring customers to use credit or debit cards or smartphone apps.
The move towards a cashless society poses challenges for people who prefer using cash, particularly lower-income individuals and older adults who may not have access to non-cash payments. Concerns also arise about potential restrictions on individual freedoms in a cashless system.
CashMatters.org is an organization devoted to making cash king across the globe and they believe cash ensures:
- Independence and Freedom
- Stable currency systems
- Secure payment methods
- Resilient in times of crisis
- Offers privacy in a world of rising fraud and data collection
- Banknotes and coins reflect a nation’s identity
Senator Shevrin Jones, a Democrat, and Representative Joel Rudman, a Republican, are putting their partisan beliefs on the table to make it illegal for most businesses to refuse cash payments starting in 2024.
The legislation would require businesses to accept cash without imposing fees or conditions, with certain exemptions.
Eye on our City sends a big WINK to this legislation ‘cause cash ain’t cash unless it’s cash!
