Our abundance of pennies could save the penny

Manhattan is bracing for a significant change in its currency landscape as the penny faces extinction. President Trump has decided to cease the production of this longstanding coin, a staple since 1793. The justification? It costs the U.S. Treasury an alarming 3.69 cents to produce a single penny.

For New Yorkers, especially those over 55, cash and coins remain an essential part of daily transactions. Many, like myself, prefer the tactile experience of shopping in person rather than relying on digital platforms like Amazon. The penny is more than just currency; it is a symbol of our heritage, deeply rooted in the history of the United States. Why, then, are we so eager to abandon such a cherished tradition?

Here’s a thought: We could introduce an executive order mandating the recycling of all coins, including pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. These hidden treasures, often forgotten in desk drawers and piggy banks, could be reintegrated into the economy. By doing so, we could significantly reduce the need for minting new coins, which currently stands at over 5 billion annually. This initiative could breathe new life into the phrase “less is more.”

Such a move would also help conserve natural resources, reducing the demand for copper and copper-nickel. Without recycling efforts, we may find ourselves pushed towards a future dominated by mobile payments and contactless transactions. Is that the direction we truly wish to head in? Brian Jordan

Untenable position

Purchase, N.Y.: As a steadfast Republican, I have always admired Rep. Elise Stefanik and held Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in high regard. However, when Blakeman announced his candidacy for the GOP nomination for New York governor, I faced a dilemma. My choice became clear upon discovering that Blakeman identifies as a “pro-choice Republican.” To me, this is as contradictory as a vegetarian indulging in steak. I am now committed to informing my Republican peers about Blakeman’s stance and will actively work towards ensuring his defeat. Marlene Danoff

Improper branding

Sanford, Fla.: While reading the Dec. 9 article “Woman, 60, fatally struck by Cadillac,” I was puzzled by the emphasis on the vehicle’s make. Since it was reported that the driver remained at the scene, the car model seemed irrelevant, unlike cases where authorities seek a hit-and-run suspect. Highlighting the car type implies it played a role in the tragic event. In crime reports, we seldom see headlines like “Victim fatally shot with a Smith & Wesson .38 Special.” The focus should remain on the victim’s loss, not the tool used. Bruce McMenemy

Return to receiver

Whitestone: This time of year is especially busy with extra mail and packages. Unfortunately, some of these will end up at the wrong address. Please, if you receive mail or a package that is not yours, try to get it to the right recipient. Perhaps you just need to walk to the next street. If it’s truly out of your way, give it back to UPS, FedEx, USPS or Amazon and let them redeliver it. Sometimes what is in that letter or package can’t be replaced. Spread some kindness. Karin Spiezia

Foul fear-mongering

Flushing: To Voicer Marion Friedman: You’re so terrified of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani! Have you read his concepts for improving New York City? Did you look up his views on affordability, housing, transportation and other matters? You want to “impeach” someone who just won in a landslide (and call him “deep state”) when he hasn’t even taken office yet? At first, your panicked screed was good for a laugh, but it stopped being funny when you revealed your wish to “send him and his radical wife to Uganda.” The only “radical, dangerous” thoughts are the ones you expressed, which were unfathomably misinformed at best and utterly repugnant at worst. Robert Smith

Unity is local

Manhattan: Rather than burdening the incoming mayor with another responsibility, Bradley Tusk (“Make NYC a global model of Jewish-Muslim cooperation,” op-ed, Dec. 9) might want to delegate improving group relations to the people of NYC, for it’s they who ultimately must be held accountable. Anyway, Jewish/Muslim relations depend upon what happens more than 5,000 miles from here. Tusk does suggest some common initiative in which all New Yorkers might participate cooperatively, and Mamdani’s affordability agenda comes readily to mind. The traditional economy of manufacturing and farming profited gradually as demand increased; today’s economy sees exponential increases through artificially created demand, without substantial gains in productivity — a daunting challenge even for 8 million minds, many of which aren’t making it in the present city economy. If they can restore NYC to what it once was for most of its inhabitants, Arabs walking hand-in-hand with Jews shouldn’t be so difficult. Michele P. Brown

Knows how to pick ’em

Staten Island: I have to give former Mayor Disaster — I mean de Blasio — credit. He found the three women on the planet willing to date him. By the way, could you ask Chirlane McCray where that $1 billion is? Thomas Fraumeni Jr.

Indoctrination initiative

Hartsdale, N.Y.: Remember back in 2009 when so-called conservative parents objected to then-President Barack Obama addressing American students as he was slammed for possibly “indoctrinating” them even before parents knew what he was going to say? Remember that his message was basically to stay in school? Well, guess what? Linda McMahon, the person nominated to destroy the Department of Education (which she runs) is touring our country with a roadshow called “History Rocks!” The initiative is part of the America 250 Civics Education Coalition under Trump’s administration — a partnership that includes Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA, Moms for Liberty, the America First Policy Institute, the conservative Christian Hillsdale College and other right-leaning groups. Gee, I wonder if there’ll be any “indoctrination” involved. Or can we be sure there will be a diversity of opinions made available while we “rock” history as those groups see it? Yeah, let’s go with that. Norman E. Gaines Jr.

Embracing evil

Brooklyn: So now we live in an America where pedophilia and murder are normalized and accepted by the GOP. I, for one, must now propose that for Bone Spurs, G.I. Joke (Pete Hegseth) and the rest of the subhuman Nazis running the White House clown show, there is no bottom. Their low-life credo is now our official national religion. I hope that a higher power keeps that special place in hell warm for these cesspool-dwellers. Gary Butler

Birthday tribute

Seaside Heights, N.J.: Frank Sinatra was born on Dec. 12, 1915, and today marks his 110th birthday. Decades after his voice first hit the radio, Ol’ Blue Eyes remains a defining American icon. The kid from Hoboken went on to sell more than 150 million records, win 11 Grammys and earn both an Oscar and multiple Golden Globes. Few artists ever reached that level of brilliance. But Sinatra’s real magic was the feeling he brought to every song. He could make listeners believe they were right there with him — the heartbreak, the hope, the quiet courage, the joy. Each tune was its own little story, delivered with unmatched warmth and style. A rarely told footnote: Sinatra once recorded a special single for Ringo Starr’s wife on Apple Records, meant to be “APPLE 1,” though it was never released. Happy 110th birthday in paradise, Frank. We still miss you. Igor La Manna

Losing the lineup

Brooklyn: First Brandon Nimmo, then Edwin Diaz, now Pete Alonso. Who is next, Mr. Met? Irwin Cohen

Don’t go

Brick, N.J.: Say it ain’t so, Pete! Leo J. Smith