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Re:How Low Can Central Banks Go? JPMorgan Reckons Way Lower by 15155 on Wednesday February 10, 2016 @11:13AM (#11073666)
That's why cash must be (gradually) banned, among other reasons. See Germany, Norway.
Re:How Low Can Central Banks Go? JPMorgan Reckons Way Lower by dav-ycombinator on Wednesday February 10, 2016 @11:28AM (#11073788)
No need to ban cash for arbitrarily negative rates to work. Simply introduce an exchange rate between physical currency and deposits.

Simply introduce an exchange rate between the dollar and it's physical representation.

Barriers are largely people's lack of understanding of how this works and how huge the benefits would be for society.

Re:How Low Can Central Banks Go? JPMorgan Reckons Way Lower by dav-ycombinator on Wednesday February 10, 2016 @11:44AM (#11073959)
> Maybe if you think government and society are the same thing.

No, I just think that neutral monetary policy which leads to full employment (defined as natural employment under given tax/regulatory regime) is good for society.

Also good for govt's ability to manage budget, but that's secondary.

Re:How Low Can Central Banks Go? JPMorgan Reckons Way Lower by CyberDildonics on Wednesday February 10, 2016 @11:41AM (#11073923)
> how huge the benefits would be for society

Maybe if you think government and society are the same thing.

Re:How Low Can Central Banks Go? JPMorgan Reckons Way Lower by AnimalMuppet on Wednesday February 10, 2016 @12:25PM (#11074302)
But if you ban cash, you for the same reason also have to ban gold (even jewelry), collectible coins, non-perishable food, and anything else that can be bought and stored as a store of value. Good luck with all that.
Re:How Low Can Central Banks Go? JPMorgan Reckons Way Lower by jaycroft on Wednesday February 10, 2016 @03:57PM (#11075915)
Re:How Low Can Central Banks Go? JPMorgan Reckons Way Lower by jsprogrammer on Wednesday February 10, 2016 @11:28AM (#11073796)
I don't see how that would fly in the US. Off the top, it would seem to violate at least the 1st and 4th amendments to the US Constitution.
Re:How Low Can Central Banks Go? JPMorgan Reckons Way Lower by dragonwriter on Wednesday February 10, 2016 @11:46AM (#11073989)
I'd like to see an argument for that.
Re:How Low Can Central Banks Go? JPMorgan Reckons Way Lower by jsprogrammer on Wednesday February 10, 2016 @04:15PM (#11076031)
Argument for what?

Someone would need to propose a specific law. A law that says 'you may only contract with [insert privileged electronic currency here]" or something similar.

If the enforcement is through confiscation of other currencies it will likely violate 4th amendment protections on personal effects.

If certain contracts are banned (instead of, or in addition to, confiscation) it would violate speech protections. Exchanging money (in any form) is speech, as are your contractual dealings.

Re:How Low Can Central Banks Go? JPMorgan Reckons Way Lower by dragonwriter on Wednesday February 10, 2016 @07:32PM (#11077383)
> Argument for what?

An argument as to how restricting the use of cash (or eliminating the use of cash entirely) inherently conflicts with the first or fourth amendments.

> A law that says 'you may only contract with [insert privileged electronic currency here]" or something similar.

The usual method would be more like "All damages, including -- but not limited to -- those for breach of contracts specifying payment in some other currency, shall be awarded and assessed in [privileged currency] as of the date the debt became due and payable."

> If the enforcement is through confiscation of other currencies it will likely violate 4th amendment protections on personal effects.

That's a creative argument, but, no, Fourth Amendment search and seizure protections do not prohibit confiscation of contraband.

> If certain contracts are banned (instead of, or in addition to, confiscation) it would violate speech protections.

Contracts that are contrary to public policy -- such as those whose fulfillment requires an act prohibited by law -- are generally void for that reason; this is a well-settled principal of law and is not contrary to the First Amendment. The idea that the First Amendment means any contract obligation, without restriction, is immune from prohibition is, well, silly in the extreme.

Re:How Low Can Central Banks Go? JPMorgan Reckons Way Lower by klodolph on Wednesday February 10, 2016 @03:20PM (#11075671)
Read article I section 8.
Re:How Low Can Central Banks Go? JPMorgan Reckons Way Lower by jsprogrammer on Wednesday February 10, 2016 @04:17PM (#11076050)
Congress may make money, collect taxes, and do other things, yes. What is the relevance?
Re:How Low Can Central Banks Go? JPMorgan Reckons Way Lower by klodolph on Wednesday February 10, 2016 @04:45PM (#11076304)
It gives congress the power to regulate the value of cash.
Re:How Low Can Central Banks Go? JPMorgan Reckons Way Lower by jsprogrammer on Wednesday February 10, 2016 @05:53PM (#11076840)
Hmm, I don't remember seeing that. Which clause are you referring to?
Re:How Low Can Central Banks Go? JPMorgan Reckons Way Lower by klodolph on Wednesday February 10, 2016 @08:15PM (#11077589)
"To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof"