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If the state can compel businesses into taking cash, the state can compel businesses into accepting cards.

For the record I don't support either and believe it's up to every business to decide what form of payments to accept.

Not necessarily. The State can compel cash because it is the state mandated and controlled medium of exchange. Cards are not controlled by the state and thereby compel a business relationship with a private company. Probably if the state controlled cards, then it would have a mandate to, uh, mandate them.

I realise it begs the question a little, the state can mandate cash because it's the state's mandated and controlled medium of exchange, but state power often begs the question.

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