Harkin’s $1 coin proposal out of touch

I see our Sen. Tom Harkin is the latest trying to force Americans to use a dollar coin rather than the preferred dollar bill (“Dollar in Change,” March 29). Harkin claims that using dollar coins will save us about $500 million a year. Big whoop. According to the White House website, the deficit this year is $1.3 trillion. That means $500 million in savings in minting costs is a breathtaking .04 of one percent of the federal deficit.

If Harkin really wanted to be helpful, he'd seriously tackle our out-of-control entitlement and welfare programs that, if unchanged, will soon drive us off the cliff. Besides, Americans for decades have said we don't want a dollar coin. When's the last time you've seen a Susan B. Anthony in circulation? And if you're asking, “What's a Susan B. Anthony?” well, I rest my case.

Rich Zeis

Walker