Today I went to the crappy supermarket near the office to buy papertowels and milk for the coffee, and at the checkout there was an exhortation to buy some "Santa Dollars" to support charity. I had to look more than twice to make sure what I was seeing was real, but Santa Dollars are legitimate US currency, in $1 denominations (you pay $2, therein the profit for charity), with the rosy smiling face of SANTA fucking CLAUS on the bill in place of George Washington. I wish i was kidding.
Posted by foodnerd at November 18, 2005 03:46 PMFeeling the holiday spirit, eh? :)
C
Posted by: C at November 18, 2005 03:52 PMDisney used to have "Mickey Dollars" that you could use in any of the Magic Kingdom parks. Sounds like the same deal, only in a terrible, terrifying way.
It's just yet another indication that the government has turned into a complete Mickey Mouse organization that's slowly but surely turning this country into their own private Fantasyland. And yes, all puns were intended, and sadly, relevant.
Oh wait -- these things have been around for years.
http://www.santadollars.com/history/history.htm
Yeah, now that I think of it, I do vaguely remember these things being around before. *sigh* And I was really getting myself properly worked up and everything...
from http://www.santadollars.com/questions/questions.htm#legal:
"The registered Santa Dollar™ seal is removable, leaving the bank note intact."
Whew!
Posted by: at November 19, 2005 10:41 PMwell, if it's a removable sticker, and they haven't made official currency dies, etc., i guess i can live with it. It's still retarded, but less terrifying at least.
Posted by: foodnerd at November 21, 2005 12:40 PM