Currency exchange

U.S. paper money is widely derided as being drab and uninspiring in appearance. The Dollar ReDe$ign Project wants to fix that.

Some 25 redesign submissions have been made so far, ranging from the presumably serious to the satirical. They might, if you want to look at it that way, say something about what people today think about the country's currency, or the country. Here is a selection of the entries.

In Technology We Trust. If we can't make it, which mostly we can't anymore, we'll import it and sell it. This certificate may be exchanged for Best Buy units.

Legal tender in the North American Union. Honoring Jorge W. Bush-Gonzales, who made it all possible.

Nobody is going to confuse these with Euros. I love the graduated colors in the background.

Kewl. But Im like, what, one dollar? R U kiddin me? Y not call it one iTune? & U get back in change one of those little round things, what do U call em, senses or something?

Hey, Americans! You're special, you know, all of you! You don't have to be smart to be creative! Just open your Crayons On Line software and you're off and running! You're so special! Look what Keeeeleeeey of Omega Park sent in!

The person who designed this obviously belongs to the Deflationary School of economic prognostication.

Immigration nation currency. Comes with a special bar code for wiring to Mexico.

Rather nifty neo-traditional look, what?

The designs below are far and beyond my favorites. Hot colors subtly juxtaposed, contemporary, but respectful of the past in the line-engraving-style background:

Now that many Americans are cutting back on their use of credit cards -- with or without the encouragement of their card issuers -- these last three designs could at least make cash transactions more enjoyable.