The nickel symbolizes everything that has gone wrong with the United States of America.

There, in metallic coldness, we see the portrait of Thomas Jefferson, he who urged, "Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." Yet, on the nickel, he looks upon the theocratic motto "In God We Trust"

The call to "Liberty" is displayed in raised letters on one side of the coin, and yet on the other, there is Thomas Jefferson's mansion, Monticello, which was maintained by Jefferson's slaves.

Americans claim moral values, but pursue power and pleasure for their own sake. The high ideals written into the American form of government have been corrupted by an American culture that craves wealth, superstition, and blood.

The nickel shows us both the high aspirations of the United States of America, and the brutal depths to which it has sunk.