This is going around the internet and I think it's clever:
I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.
Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a We Deserve It Dividend.
To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.
Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child.
So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up...
So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billon that equals $425,000.00.
My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a We Deserve It Dividend.
Of course, it would NOT be tax free.
So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.
Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.
That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.
But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.
A husband and wife have $595,000.00.
What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage – housing crisis solved.
Repay college loans – what a great boost to new grads.
Put away money for college – it'll be there.
Save in a bank – create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car – create jobs.
Invest in the market – capital drives growth.
Pay for your parent's medical insurance – health care improves.
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean – or else.
Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.
If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it... instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 ("vote buy") economic incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President.
If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!
As for AIG – liquidate it.
Sell off its parts.
Let American General go back to being American General.
Sell off the real estate.
Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.
Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't.
Sure it's a crazy idea that can "never work."
Can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!
How do you spell Economic Boom?
I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion We Deserve It Dividend; more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC ..
And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returnedinstantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.
Write your congressmen. Tell them we solved the problem!
10 comments:
Sounds like a great plan. However, I think your math is off. I calculate every bonafide adult citizen would get $425 assuming there are 200 million of us.
I saw that too! I loved it, wouldn't it be fabulous if that was the plan?!? :o)
These things make me go hmmmm. I sat and dreamed of what I would do with the money- but then I asked myself: Where does the $85B come from????? The US government does not have that cash just sitting around. It will be TAX DOLLARS.. All of the Government money is from Taxes -or Loans from CHINA. it is a big big big big mess. AUCH MENCH!!!! And although I love to dream about what I would do with money given to me (pay off house, pay off student loans, invest in the future..) I think that (unfortunatly) a lot of people will BLOW it. Just look at all of those lottery winners that blow their MILLIONS in just a few years. I think that because all of us (you, me, our friends) are people with like values, cultures, education, economic status that we might have pretty good, (i'd like to think wise) ideas of what to do with a chunk of money- but (not to be all superior) we don't represent the majority of the population. In my oppinion there would be a big economic boom as people buy cars and bling and then it will be gone. Sorry to be a downer. Although I gladly spent my economic stimulus check on dental work (splurge! I just love getting root canals what can I say) I think it was STUPID! What is Bush thinking? Totally voted for him, still conservative- but Come ON!!!
After learning that the guy behind "The Birk Plan" is a fellow resident of St. Louis, I published a post under the headline, 'You Do The Math!' -- The Birk Plan Explained. I would encourage your readers to check it out as it explains a truly-interesting social experiment.
Whoever wrote that has my vote!!!!
So, I read the Birk Plan thing... and Jamie and Jonny caught it right off. I had to do the math too after reading their comment. What a funny thing. Still makes me go HMMMM though.
Heidi
WOW Jill!!! I think you have solved the problem in the most sensible way I have ever heard. You should send it to the President and to all of your state Senators and Congress people. I am proud to know you. Let's all pray that your plan is adopted.
I just did the math and $85,000,000,000.00 divided by 2,000,000 people does come out to $425,000.00 per person. I do agree with Heidi though. Many people would not use it to pay off their mortgage or their student loans or to save for their children's education or for good health insurance or to start a business. I still think it is a great plan in a "perfect world".
OOPS!!!! I divided wrong. Oh well! I am still glad that I know you. I hope you don't mind that I am really terrible at math.
I caught the Math error too. That's funny though. I don't know what I'd do with $425. Maybe pay for my gas for two weeks. The last thing we need is our tax dollars being handed to corrupt Wall St. Execs and crooked politicians on their oversite committees.
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