News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
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"