Will we go cashless? That's a question many are asking these days, especially since most transactions are now electronic.

Some have suggested that the day is not far off when the government will no longer print money since it is so much easier, less expensive and, in many cases, more convenient to deal in electronic currency.

Some estimate that already in the United States, transactions involving printed or minted currency have fallen to a mere 7 percent of all transactions. I suppose a look at our own purchasing and bill paying might reveal the same thing. We swipe debit cards, pay with cellphones, use electronic checks and other services like PayPal or Bitcoin. Many, if not most, of us never see an actual paycheck any more. Our funds are deposited directly into our accounts and, for the most part, spent without ever converting those electronic funds into paper currency or coins.

Though some Americans still hide away large amounts of cash in safety deposit boxes, safes or under their mattresses, most don't actually hold or handle that much cash anymore.

I know that I, personally, seldom have more than a few crinkled up dollars in my pocket; and I quit carrying a wallet made to carry cash in favor of a smaller wallet just big enough to carry my driver's license, another ID or two and my debit card.

Since so few transactions are done in cash and it costs the government so much to produce bills which are near impossible to counterfeit, many expect the day to come soon when cash -- like the gold coins years ago -- is called in and everything becomes electronic. I guess you could call it another form of going paperless.

The thought of going cashless is kind of scary to freedom-loving Americans who don't want the government to track everything they do. Think about it. If government agencies are already collecting data from our cellphones and our use of social media, why wouldn't they collect electronic records of our every financial transaction? I'm sure the IRS would like to track every dollar earned and spent for tax collection purposes. And what better way for the NSA and other agencies to see who is buying materials which could be used for "terrorist" activities!

If the government viewed a citizen's activities as a possible threat, it would be easy to freeze or seize assets. And if a person was too outspoken against certain government policies, he might find himself unable to even buy groceries or pay rent and utilities.

I've even read that governments could use the technology to prohibit people from buying certain items which might pose a health risk and more expense to government programs for medical treatment. Thus, the obese might find their debit cards declined if they try to buy a candy bar or a sugary soft drink. People who have had DUIs might not be able to purchase alcoholic beverages. Those who are deep in debt might find all spending for non-essential items no longer a possibility.

On the other hand, a lot of criminal activities might become more difficult. Who would buy drugs or pay for other illicit things with a debit card in his own name? Well, yes, some folks aren't the brightest.

Of course, electronic fraud would likely increase, making more security measures necessary for the use of debit cards and other forms of electronic spending. Pin numbers and security codes would be on the rise, and maybe retina scans or the infamous implanted micro-chip would be deemed a necessity.

I'm not sure what to think about the likelihood we will soon have gone cashless. I've got nothing to hide, but I still don't want big government looking over my shoulder and watching my every move. I already watch for black helicopters, government SUVs and drones. I would hate for the government to be looking at my every transaction and saying, "Oh, he bought computer parts again; he must be up to something."

It scares me to think that my entire paycheck could just be deleted or frozen before I pay a bill or two and zero it out myself. If I had savings or a good retirement account, I'd really be worried.

If I had the money to save, I keep thinking it should be in something tangible -- not in a line on a bank's hard drive or even in paper debt notes which lose value with the keeping.

Every once in a while when I do get a little cash from the bank and they ask me how I want it, I ask for constitutional dollars. I haven't gotten any yet. I don't know how many of the bank employees even know what a constitutional dollar is. I keep hoping we will one day go back to constitutional dollars worth their weight in silver and gold. At least they wouldn't lose their value if a fellow saved them, and they even jingle a bit in the pocket.

I've heard some say gold and silver currency may come back, but only because other nations refuse to hold or accept paper or electronic U.S. dollars because of their lack of value. Could it be the reason some nations are buying up gold?

To be honest with you, we've really been cashless for a long time even if we've been carrying around those engraved metal plugs and fancy paper debt notes. I suppose a few zeros and ones on a computer hard drive aren't all that much worse. But what happens when someone decides it's time to reformat the hard drive?

Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.