Un-Stimulating

Today, our new President signs a “stimulus” package with the hopes of the entire country riding on its back.  However, I’m not sure exactly how stimulating these programs are to the millions of people out of work or in fear of being there soon.

Apparently, sometime this summer, those of us lucky enough to still have jobs will begin receiving some direct benefit from the tax cut part of the package.  About $13 a week.  Now I don’t live in a McMansion nor do I live in a trailer down by the river but c’mon, $13 a week?  This is supposed to get me out and spending again?  My guess is that most of us will be so mired in other stuff in June that this “increase” will arrive with zero fanfare or even modest notice.  $13 a week buys me what?  Lunch by myself?  Enough gas for the week? 2 beers plus tip at my local pub?  I’m not sure what our Politicians were thinking when they all sat around and said “yes, that’s it – $13 a week”.  Chances are we could have made it $50 a week if they agreed to cut their own spending like they are forcing Banking Execs to do.

My Favorite “Stimulus Package” was put forth late last year.  Here’s a copy of a real “make sense” stimulus package and how it might work:

Something that makes good sense:
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 billion 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 has $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.”
But 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  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 returned
instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.
Ahhh…I feel so much better getting that off my chest.
Kindest personal regards,
Birk
T. J. Birkenmeier, A Creative Guy & Citizen of the Republic