National Parks Ban Cash!
This action by the federal government is moving us in the WRONG direction
In light of recent revelations about the former Japanese internment camp in Granada, Colorado being designated as a new national park, I thought I’d also re-highlight some news from last year about dozens and dozens of national parks going cashless.
Here is a snapshot of national parks and historic sites that have implemented cashless policies:
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site, Colorado
Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia
Death Valley National Park, California, Nevada
Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Maryland
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, New York
Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Pipe Spring National Monument, Arizona
Prince William Forest Park, Virginia
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
Thomas Edison National Historical Park, New Jersey
Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi, Louisiana
Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
Wright Brothers National Memorial, North Carolina
There are over 400 national parks and I’m sure others are on the way to adopt similar policies.
Why the Shift to Cashless Policies?
Three reasons:
“Security”
“Safety”
“Convenience”
Ah yes, the same justifications for the majority of tyrannical agendas.
It’s never a good sign when the federal government leans into the cashless trend and it makes you wonder, what's next? Is cash really going extinct?
Cash is certainly getting rarer in our daily lives. Why? Well, things like convenience, irrational fear of cooties, and popularity of using digital payment contribute to more and more people just opting to pay with a card.
And it's not just parks; this no-cash thing is spreading to stores, hotels, events and more.
Sure, going cashless has its perks – like being convenient and secure, but it also raises concerns about privacy and potential issues with oh, I don’t know… power and control!?
I am Pro-Cash and Always Will Be
Prior to the hogwash of 2020, I came across places that said, “no cash” so I said, no deal!” I refuse to frequent establishments that don’t take cash.
Cash is king because it is tangible, it carries less risk of theft and fraud compared to credit or debit cards, and for me, I spend less money when I use cash because I am more aware of its value. Maybe it’s just me, but when I use my debit card, it’s easier to go over my budget.
I personally do not carry debt. I was in the merry-go-round of credit cards for YEARS and it was financially devastating. My husband and I worked very hard to pay off those evil cards and we vowed — and have kept that vow - to never go into debt again. (Yes, we both drive very old cars, but we love not having a car payment.)
There are so many negatives to going cashless: every transaction is tracked (and could be taxed); your “money” could go poof with a simple swipe of a computer key; tech glitches already are happening with banks, so digital currency seems so less secure; down the road, items could be rationed once you “exceed your limit” at the grocery store or restaurant; digital currency could have an expiration date, forcing you to spend… and so much more.
Are people going to have to use digital currency at garage sales? What about payment for odd jobs for kids? Is that that done on Venmo these days?
Paypal and Venmo both cancelled my accounts, staling money and preventing me from ever using their services. So I personally do not care at all for moving toward a cashless society.
The good news is I don’t think that will ever happen completely. Going cashless would hurt those who rely on cash to hide their transaction, giving and accepting bribes, money laundering, etc. So the bad guys (especially in government) would probably hate to see a completely cashless society.
Watch my video here for why I believe cash is still king and why it's here to stay… and let me know what you think in a comment below.
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Add the iconic Yosemite and the Grand Canyon to your list of parks not accepting cash. This policy has been in place since the start of COVID. Not only can't you pay your entrance fees in cash you can't pay for your campsite either. I have complained mightily to the clerks and they are sympathetic. They tell me they have brought it to management but it falls on deaf ears. Wilderness permits are no cash too. I make a big stink every time and get nothing. I'm boycotting them now but I still have to pay my taxes to support them. It's taxation without representation and even being able to use the services I pay for. I've reached out to Del Bigtree since his lead attorney Aaron Siri is so good but so far nothing. Where are all the attorneys?
Couldn't agree more. Sometimes when I'm feeling wicked I load up a counter with a ton of stuff to be told no cash allowed, and say OK and walk out. Then they have to put it all back.