An American Treasure says farewell

While everyone is in the business of canonizing the newly departed Ronald Reagan (did anyone else live through the 80s? Or was it just me?), a real American treasure has also left the building -- Ray Charles. His lasting accomplishments and legacy are far richer and more uplifting than anything the gipper may try to lay claim to.

Now, if we're going to put a recently deceased American icon on a piece of currency, I can't think of anyone more deserving and emblematic than Ray Charles. I say we mint a $25 bill in his honor. Who's with me? And Reagan can have the $2. And we won't print anymore of those, because $2 isn't worth a damn, like most of the so-called accomplishments that Reagan might claim.

As we all know these deaths generally line up in threes, I'd be interested to know what tomorrow's toll might yield. I think I'm safe, though; this particular trinity is looking to be fairly high profile.