OK, I have to admit it, the following is not my idea, but it was sent to me by reader John, and I believe it’s currently circulating on the internet.
It is is one man’s great alternative to a different bailout approach. It’s simple, funny, on the spot, certainly beats the alternative and is a worthwhile read:
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 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.’
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 I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC.
And remember, this 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.
There you have it. Does this idea invoke pleasant feelings or do you feel better knowing that AIG is being bailed out?
Just for fun, I have asked some clients and friends as to what they would do if they received a tax-free windfall of some $300k. If I take their ideas, and assume that others have similar needs and wants, and multiply those by 200 million recipients, I’ve come to the conclusion that the current recession would be over in no time and an economic boom of enormous proportions would result.
Yes, it’s simple and an economist could shoot holes in that idea. But what the heck, I have to admit that thinking about the implementation of such a positive action plan makes me wonder if it could actually work.
(Correction: My wife, who is an accountant, informed me that in the above example, taxpayers would be taxed closer to a rate of 45%, rather than the stated 30%).
Contact Ulli
Comments 11
Well, I think it is $850B, not $85B, and dividing the correct $850B by 200M would be only $4,500pp, not $450,000.
do the math
$700B / 100M taxpayers = $7000/taxpayer
John’s math is as bad as his plan.
$85 billion divided by $200 million is $425. That will get you a good bottle of claret.
Hi, I like the thought, but the math seems to be a little off. 85B / 200M = $425.00
I hate to destroy the wonderful idea, but the math doesn’t work out as large as you claim.
85,000,000,000 (billion) divided by 200,000,000 (million) is the same as
85,000 divided by 200 = 425 per adult.
Looks like somebody dropped some decimals.
Unfortunately, the math is wrong. $85B divided by $200M is $425.00 not $425,000.00. While it wouldn’t turn a few hundred bucks down, it wouldn’t change my behavior!
Funny idea, but his math is wrong. It would award all of us FOUR HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE dollars.
85000000000 / 200000000 = 425
200000000 * 425 = 85000000000
Did I divide wrong? Isn’t 85 billion divided by 20 million equal $425/person?
Of course, the numbers don’t add up. Too bad, it wasn’t April Fool’s day. But you have to admit that the idea itself sounded a lot better than bailing out AIG.
Ulli…
I liked the good bottle of claret. It certainly is a better result for me than giving $$ to AIG. Some clarets can be stored properly and sold in 10 years at excellent appreciation…or you could simply put the $425 in your mattress and realize a more restful sleep.
Speaking of sleep, does anyone here not think that our congress, congressional leaders and presidential candidates where semi comatose throughout this developing crisis? Where were they all a year ago?
A “we deserve it dividend” likely won’t happen, but by the looks of the plan it would seem that taxpayers got the most prudent/conservative outcome they could possibly wish for.