Harkin’s advocacy tied to donation

It was an interesting article in the Aug. 21 edition of the Wall Street Journal concerning an attempt to have Americans carry around heavy loads of metal coins. Yes, that is correct. Instead of paper money, the Currency Optimization, Innovation and National Savings (Coins) Act would do just that.

And just who is the sponsor of this bill, which attempts to return us to the 1890s? Why, Iowa's own Sen. Tom Harkin.

Now why would Harkin be advocating metal coins? And who is the main beneficiary of the elimination of paper money?

Why, a South Korean-owned American company that supplies the mint with the metal to make coins. Hmm.

The plot thickens. This same company donated $500,000 to the proposed Harkin Institute at Iowa State University. Hmm.

Harkin has announced his retirement. Excellent timing.

Bob Bevenour

Cedar Rapids