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Montana Lawmaker: Pay Me in Gold, Please

Jerry O'Neil says he's worried about the dollar

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 13, 2012 5:39 PM CST

(Newser) – A state lawmaker in Montana has found a unique way to express his concern about the national debt: Jerry O'Neil is demanding that he be paid in gold and silver coins instead of US dollars, reports the Daily Inter Lake. O'Neil wrote to the state legislature with his request, which he maintains is supported by the US Constitution, because he's worried that paper dollars will become worthless. "They might just go to the coin shop and get me gold and silver coins, or they might say I have to do it myself. I don’t know.”

Montana lawmaker Jerry O'Neil wants gold instead of dollars.
Montana lawmaker Jerry O'Neil wants gold instead of dollars.   (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 53 comments
jgmann
Nov 14, 2012 11:59 AM CST
Pay him in black sand, and make him pan out his gold.
professortech
Nov 14, 2012 9:09 AM CST
Ok, so representative Knucklehead gets his payment in gold/silver coin. Now go pay for gas Rep. Knucklehead, or rent, or groceries, utilities, etc. etc. etc. There have been other "protest" payments made in coin which have been legally refused by companies.  You made your political statement now let's try to live in reality shall we?
Comp_User
Nov 14, 2012 7:33 AM CST
Article 1, Section 10, U.S. Constitution Section Ten sets limits on states, reserving certain powers exclusively to the Congress. States are prohibited from coining money or making anything other than gold or silver coin legal tender for payment of debts and are prohibited from entering into treaties or alliances, although compacts with other states are allowed with the permission of Congress.    Jerry O'Neil is backed by the constitution but didn't the PATRIOT ACT do away with constitutional rights?
 

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