Instead of giving away money to companies and banks, lets have a COUPON event!
Washington mails out coupons to every household. Coupons for discounts on appliances, clothing, furniture, cars, and food.
For example, you will get a coupon for $2000 off on any new car that you buy or a coupon for $150 off any new appliance you buy or $500 off on food for over a year's span.
Companies would be reimbursed by Washington D.C., 80% of the coupon/discount that is used. This would allow the company to sell items for a profit, albeit a smaller one; but at least they are making a profit.
That car dealer that sold you a car for $25,000 minus $2000 = $23,000, actually only sold it for $23,400, but at least they SOLD it and the customer saved $2000 by using the coupon.
Washington would also send out coupons for taking out loans for home repairs, car repairs or medical bills. Each coupon would take 10-15% off the value of the loan asked for. For each loan a bank provides using one of the coupons, Washington would reimburse them 80% of the coupon.
For example, you go to the bank to borrow $5000 using one of the coupons for 10% off. This means you actually only have to pay back the principle of $4500. The bank made the loan for $4400. They take a loss of $100 but STILL, they made a loan keeping their bank going.
Banks and companies benefit getting the business and it's a sure way of keeping tabs of where the money goes that taxpayers loan them.
Customers tend to buy things when they think they are getting a bargain, these coupons give that incentive.
Of course all the 'details' could change, but you get the drift of my idea --- right?
Opinions?