Billionaire For A Day: A More Entertaining Economic Stimulus Package

How would you like to be a billionaire courtesy of the federal government?
No, I don't mean becoming a bank and then failing and cashing in on a bailout?

Let's face facts. The economic stimulus package is really quite boring and no one really has any idea what it is all about. No one is certain how many jobs it will really create or actually what good it will do, or if it will do anything positive for the economy.

Both the House and Senate will pass a bill and the president will sign it into law with a big White House ceremony. And the next day a trillion dollars -- or $819 billion or 900 billion will be allocated to be spent in the next few years.

Will you actually feel any different? No, not really. The economic stimulus package is not truly visible to the average American. We are not even getting a check from the federal government like we did in the last economic stimulus -- remember that one. Obviously it did not stimulate the economy that well.

So, let's do something to capture all Americans attention and by doing so make the economic stimulus package real to all of us who are very doubtful about this huge sum going to invisible projects that won't make much difference in our daily lives.

It makes as much sense to have an American Idol type competition among all taxpayers where we compete to win a billion dollars. Think of the enthusiasm this will generate among all Americans. It can all be televised in living color.

Eight hundred Americans will each win a billion dollars. The competition will include answering questions on the economy and government on national television.

Everyone has the chance of winning very big. It is tangible. It is visible. Eight hundred Americans will achieve the American dream in a big way. The rest of us can be jealous of the winners but at least we can see where the money -- our taxpayer dollars -- have gone.

We can envy the winners. We can envy the ways they stimulate the economy with their purchases. The rules will be that none of the billion dollars can be saved. It all has to be spent within three months to stimulate the economy. The federal government will set up a regulatory agency to make certain that the money is all being spent. We won't have the same people in charge who saw -- or didn't see -- the initial bailout money to banks and insurance firms disappear without any accounting to the public.

Every taxpayer gets his or her chance to win the jackpot of a billion dollars. It is all transparent and above board and we will all know exactly where our taxpayer dollars are going.

It will be incredibly entertaining and will set off a national mood of excitement and enthusiasm. It will be fair and honest. Television ratings will soar. President Obama and his Cabinet -- the ones who have all paid their taxes on time -- plus assorted celebrities and athletes could be the judges.

So, instead of a very vague feeling of not knowing where our trillion dollars is going from road repair to schools to technology projects we will all have a good time watching 800 people winning a billion dollars and then continue watching as they stimulate the economy with their winnings.

You too can be a billionaire! So, write your congressman and the White House and explain that you favor this idea over the boring, vague, and un-inspiring economic stimulus package now on the table.

You probably cannot find more than a handful of people in Congress or in the administration who even knows what is in this massive bill. No one knows how many jobs are really going to be created by this bill. No one knows what is really going to happen after this becomes law. What if the economy doesn't pick up? Do we pass another trillion dollar second economic stimulus bill?

Let's go for the billionaire American Idol competition. It makes as much sense as the current economic stimulus package... and it would be a lot more entertaining and probably more fair to the American taxpayer. And think of what we would all learn about our government and economic system as we study to win our share of this money.

This is a win, win real economic stimulus package for our times!

Comments

[fedupinfla]

Funny...I had the same idea CindyV had.

There are a bit over 305 million US citizens and each CITIZEN gets $1M. That includes children but their money is to be deposited into a trust acct. or savings bond that they can cash in when they turn 18 to pay for college, buy a car, whatever. If a citizen is in that top 5% of the economic bracket, they should be required to donate their $1M to the charity of their choice. If a citizen is incarcerated for life, their $1M goes to their victim's families or as reparations depending on their crimes. And sorry but if you're an illegal alien, you get NO $$... If you want to receive benefits & rights US citizens have earned, then become one.

And I agree with CindyV that the requirements would be paying off ALL bills. But I would also stipulate that the new car that's bought HAS to be a hybrid. If you buy a house or a new house is built, it HAS to be as energy efficient as possible no matter the cost. Things like recycling should be mandatory.

Just that wouldn't be enough of course. People still need jobs. So spending on this country's infrastructure is required. Same with education, health care, and the environment. But as far as the banks go, don't give them another damn dime. When we get OUR money and start spending it on OUR economic recovery, they'll recover too.

[balkan-2]

CindyV
USA is not a Country of 300 people !
What was that you were drinking ?

[CindyV]

Whatever. A million dollars per person will still cost less than the sinkhole we're dealing with now. And I was drink Miller Genuine Draft.

[CindyV]

Actually, the other night over drinks and dinner I came up with a great plan for the recovery. And it only costs $300 milliion. My plan is to give every citizen of this country $1 million. There are a few rules, but not many. First, you must pay off your debts. Pay off those credit cards, medical bills. This fixes the credit crunch. Second, either pay off your mortgage or buy a house or condo. You can build a new house with this money as well. This takes care of the mortgage mess and helps with new construction to boot! Third, buy a car or two. This will help Detriot and the automakers. It will help Toyota and Honda, too. After that, the money is yours to do what you want. Invest it in the stock market. Put it in the bank. With more coming in as deposits, the banks are now able to lend. Banking problem solved. Use your money to buy TVs, furniture, landscaping services. Go out to eat. Go on vacation. As Americans spend their $1 million dollars, they will be putting all kinds of money into the economy. That will also spurr job growth as now new businesses will open and existing businesses will add employees. The money goes into the hands of the people who need it most.

[ScaredStraight]

A little confused about the math and facts with your comment....only $300 million? Only $300 citizens in the US? Where did all those people that attended the inauguration come from? Maybe we DO need to talk about illegal immigration! I had no idea that there were more than 285,000,000 of them!

[Rashnak]

I bet you have been busy doing democratic tax returns!

[bigteffie]

To much money..... it would have to be to those who are already working, but I think you are on the right track... The reason we are in this mess is that we gave too much to people who could not pay back. Still if you give each working American 100 grand just to pay off the credit cards, school loans, and gas and medical bills this would free up the paychecks for them to buy more.