This email has been spreading pretty quickly. But there are two major problems with it.
- The math is wrong! Each person would get $425 (email claims $425,000).
- If you read the entire email, it mentions "a puny $1000 ('vote buy') economic incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President."
That is mocking Obama's plan to give a $1000 energy reimbursement to every taxpayer, paid for by windfall profits tax on oil companies.
It's funny because McCain has offered gimmicks like a PUNY $0.17 gas tax holiday, a PUNY offshore drilling plan that would get 1% of the oil we need in 10 years, and a PUNY $300 million prize for anyone who can invent a "super-car-battery"... as opposed to Obama's plan to invest $150 BILLION into green energy.
Is it a coincidence that all the gimmicks from McCain actually help oil companies more than taxpayers? So when a candidate offers a plan would actually take money from oil companies and give it back to the American people... this email mocks Obama's plan. I wonder who's really behind this email?
http://www.boughtbybigoil.com
http://www.mcloybbist.com
Full email text:
The Economic Recovery Plan
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 bon-a-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 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 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 lend 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. & gt; Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't.
Sure it's a crazy idea that can "never work." (Why not?, I ask) 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 trust the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC. And remember, The plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.
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!!