<i>Received this in an email yesterday - -  makes more sense than anything heard from "the suits" - don't you think ? </i>

The Birk Economic Recovery Plan 

I'm against the $85,000,000,000 bailout of AIG. Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to American in a "We Deserve It Dividend." 

To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bona fide 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 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 $1,000.00 ( "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, 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 &amp; Citizen 

PS: Feel free to pass this along to your pals as it's either good for a laugh or a tear or a very sobering thought on how to best use $85 Billion!!