[hopewrites]

I've seen what your talking about done here in the states, but with checks not cash, and by the retailers not the government.
when "your check's in the mail" and writing bad checks became all too common ways to duck out of actually paying, and when debit cards started making using a pen oh so inconvenient, checks started going out of style. starting at the top and trickling down (the only kind of tickle down I have ever seen with money trends is how to spend, not actual cash flow) through restaurants and boutiques paying with check started becomeing not an option. card or cash is the way to go now.
so you cant write a check at the grocery store on Saturday night secure in the thought that it wont be cashed till Monday afternoon, you run your card or the computer scans your check and talks to the bank's computer and your money is withdrawn just as if you had run your card. No need to burn old unused check books that you had to pay for, no need to ask every clerk you check out with what the date is, no need to sign your name to what you purchase (unless your card is credit). makes spending money easier and more anonymous feeling.
but since the grocery store is tracking my purchases so that it can spit out useful coupons for me, and my bank is tracking my purchases so that if I suddenly start spending all my money they will freeze my account till I call and tell them that "no my card hasn't been stolen, I'm trying to go broke" there by protecting me from identity theft. I dont think that even cash would let a body buy and sell anonymously any more.

Do I think they are trying to do a way with cash? sure, but it wont happen. People like cash, you can see it and touch it. cant do that with virtual money (not that paper and coin money is any less imaginary). even though its mostly worthless and the fedral government here doesnt do anything to stop the "crime" of distroying it, they cant get ride of the penny because the few times its come up for vote the people go in an uproar "NOT OUR PENNY! HOW WILL WE BUY THINGS FOR $4.99?? WE WILL HAVE TO PAY $5 FOR IT!!" and then go back to putting them on railway rails or into those machines that will make a souvenir out of it for 50cents, to vacuuming them up and letting them litter the streets because they are not worth picking up if you drop them.