by T. M. Beeker

Created on: February 05, 2009

Keep in mind this is the same Congress that gaveAIGand other financial institutions huge bailouts. Money spent for corporate retreats (codefor vacation on the taxpayer's dime), slashing lower level employees (again we pay for unemployment relief), and the people who madethe bad business decisions were not even given a stern talking to or straight to bed without dinner. So, now the floodgates open on even more money (that the government does NOT have) to pay for mistakes madeat the top lacking any new regulation or consequences for those in charge of these corporations.

My local rag had an editorial idea that makes the most sense. Why not just give everyone who is a tax paying citizen a bailout? It will still run up thedeficitand devalue the dollar even more but at least we will have money to spend, save, or admire. Let's see divide819 Billion by 300 million people. The calculator says about 27,000 and some change. Heck, make it an even 30,000. Will some of us spend it onstoopidstuff? Yes, will it at least stimulate demand and providefor jobs in both manufacturing and services? Also yes. Let's face it, if the Congress which can't seem to balance either the nation's or their own checkbook what harm can be done by spreading the gravy around to everyone instead of welfare for the poor and bailouts for wealthy corporations that madesome very dumb decisions?

Chances are many of us are a tad smarter than a corporate CEO, CFO, and sundry others who get golden parachutes regardless if the company is profitable. Some will put the money in investments and stimulate the woes of Wall Street and the same stupid banks that madethe bad loans in the first place. Others may go on a spending spree and that will likewise benefit us since money spent will purchase goods (manufacturing jobs) and services (service and support jobs). Instant trickle down economics without the pesky wait for the trickle to make its way down from the greedy bastards at the top.

What amazes me is a Congress that has in less than a decadegone from surplus to enormousdeficit. Don't spoil it for Congress but that is a fancy word for overdraft or beyond broke. Yes, Congress approved spending on wars, welfare, and sundry other schemes likede-regulation of banking and mortgage finance which has hurt the economy from both ends. Less money out there to spend because it is part of what the government already owes (imagine the interest on 819 billion dollars set asidethe principle) and a very weak dollar which will

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>