Sunday, June 14, 2009

How to Fix the Economy

The St. Petersburg Times allegedly (this came as an email to me and I haven't tried to verify it) asked its readers, "How would you fix the economy?" One person offered the following plan. I thought it was creative if not workable. And it only costs $40 million instead of the billions already spent to stimulate the economy.

"There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them each $1 million severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1. They MUST retire, resulting in 40 million job openings. Unemployment fixed.

2. They MUST buy a new American car, resulting in 40 million new car orders. Auto industry fixed.

3. They MUST either buy a house of pay off their mortgage. Housing industry fixed.

If more money is needed, have all members of Congress pay all their taxes."

As they say, the best ideas are often the simplest. (Disclaimer: I'm not suggesting this is a good plan; just creative and humorous.)