What could you do with $5500?

[Mackie2k]

I did some rough calculations, and according to Wikipedia, there are approx 154 million available workers in the US (unemployed included).

Now if we took the 870 billion stimulous package, and split that up among everyone who is or was working in the past 18 months.....

That comes to rougly $5600 per person.

Now, add a caveat that the money must be spent on something for sale in the US, within 6 months of receipt. (some type of gift certificate that works everywhere, or towards special items, such as New Vehicles, Home Purchase)

Seems to me, that our economy would get much more out of people spending money on things they want, instead of our government throwing money at failing industries and companies.

Discuss.

 

[Mutilator]

I'm sure I could find something to spend it on.

 

[dbk]

How would the federal government coordinate such measures? Specifically, how do you track everyone?

It would be an unfair to distribute the same amount to everyone as well.

 

[rudeguy]

its not a stimulus package

 

[Mackie2k]

Originally posted by: dbk
How would the federal government coordinate such measures? Specifically, how do you track everyone?

Taxes? Everyone manages to get a tax rebate check like the $300/$600 last year....

Not super hard.

 

[Newbian]

Originally posted by: NSFW
its not a stimulus package

But if you really want one you can always stimulate my package.

 

[rgwalt]

I was really hoping for the $15K homebuyer tax credit as I'm going to close on a house in a couple of weeks. I would have spent every penny of that money. Instead they bumped up the first time buyer credit (I am a first time buyer) but left the income limits, so I don't qualify for any of it.

Oh well.... Leave it to the government to punish people who are successful.

R

 

[Descartes]

If everyone spent money on the things they want, I think it's pretty plain to see that we'd scarcely have what we need. Though I don't necessarily agree with the gov distributing it how they see fit, I don't think everyone running around buying new plasmas ultimately benefits anyone. What other failures do we need to show that the American people are about as fiscally myopic as to be almost blind. I'd rather see infrastructural improvements.

And, though I only have anecdotal evidence because I only heard it on the radio, I thought it was shown that if you gave every American $5600 that the vast majority would save it? Not much stimulus there.

 

[JoPh]

id buy crack.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: dbk
How would the federal government coordinate such measures? Specifically, how do you track everyone?

pay only the people who filed taxes.

why should we pay out people who didnt pay taxes? or even attempted to pay taxes?

 

[illusion88]

I would take that money and pay off some debt. No question about it. That in turn would improve my quality of life, as I now wouldn't have to make those danm monthly payments and I could start saving some money.

 

[dbk]

Originally posted by: Mackie2k

Originally posted by: dbk
How would the federal government coordinate such measures? Specifically, how do you track everyone?

Taxes? Everyone manages to get a tax rebate check like the $300/$600 last year....

Not super hard.

Well your proposed "caveat" complicates things. What happens when John Doe doesn't spend the money in 6 months? What if he puts into a savings account? Does he lose that money?

Nvm, i see that you want the money to be issued as GC. That would meet a lot of opposition. Am I allowed to sell the GC to a third party for cash?

 

[TallBill]

I'd spend it on rent and bills and put the $5500 that I would have spent on rent/bills towards investments.

 

[l0cke]

hookers & blow

 

[mxyzptlk]

I'd buy a lot of porn.

Wait no, I'd buy a new canon XL2 and hire a couple of escorts then make my own porn.

 

[Slick5150]

Sure, nobody has jobs anymore, but hey, that $5500 oughta well into April..

 

[lupi]

you forgot it'd take a couple billion to manage the program.

 

[Red Squirrel]

If I had a house I'd just make a big payment on it, if not, I'd put it in savings for a future house.

 

[SSSnail]

Buy new rims and tires for my car, damn potholes.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I'd buy a hammock.

 

[LS21]

wristwatch and surround sound

 

[Mackie2k]

Originally posted by: dbk

Originally posted by: Mackie2k

Originally posted by: dbk
How would the federal government coordinate such measures? Specifically, how do you track everyone?

Taxes? Everyone manages to get a tax rebate check like the $300/$600 last year....

Not super hard.

Well your proposed "caveat" complicates things. What happens when John Doe doesn't spend the money in 6 months? What if he puts into a savings account? Does he lose that money?

Nvm, i see that you want the money to be issued as GC. That would meet a lot of opposition. Am I allowed to sell the GC to a third party for cash?

I submit that doing this, would be 1000x less complicated than bailing out all these companies and industries, and probably more effective.

Let's simplify it and say that Everyone who gross'd 15000-150000 last year would get $5500 cash, but it's a special cash that expires in 6 months and cannot be placed into a bank for storage.

Anyone above 150,000 or below 15000 would get 50%.

 

[MotF Bane]

Save it.

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: dbk
It would be an unfair to distribute the same amount to everyone as well.

I just had to copy that for posterity. That is sig-worthy on many levels.

Originally posted by: dbk
i see that you want the money to be issued as GC. That would meet a lot of opposition. Am I allowed to sell the GC to a third party for cash?

They could be personalized like regular credit cards.

MotionMan

 

[daniel1113]

Originally posted by: JoPh
id buy crack.

no hookers? wtf.