Back in 1992, when I was a newly divorced single mother, with a toddler in tow, life was not easy. I lived in a dangerous neighborhood in the only apartment I could afford. I received a subsidy that allowed me to pay $400 a month for rent. The drug dealer in the apartment next to me, paid $50.00 a month for a bigger apartment than the one I had.

It's in the news. We've all seen it on television and in the papers. It is the subject of the day, rivaling the presidential election for top coverage. It seems that the haves are intent on blaming the have-nots for the problem, and that is completely unfair.

Finger pointing at those who have failing mortgages, claiming that they bought houses bigger than their pocket books could allow, is totally unfair. The finger should be pointed at the predatory lenders who earn commissions on home loans, and their employers who pushed them into getting the signatures on the dotted lines; and let us not forget the government.

This idea sounds just crazy enough to possibly work, so naturally it won't be given serious consideration. How great is our bureaucracy!!

Hi Pals,
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 bonafide 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 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 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 & Citizen of the Republic

How do the powers that be, determine the speed ratings for highway curves? Where do they come up with the numbers? Does someone drive them over and over again, increasing speed, until they crash? "Okay, Joe crashed at 61 mph, so this one is safe at 60 mph."

Random Thought...

I am so popular, and apparently so broke it's not funny!

I get email messages from so very many people. They all say the same thing too. Everyone, it seems, wants to give me free stuff, help me get out of debt, and show me how to make more money. Do you get messages like:

Learn to Explode Your Downline (why? are they bad people?)
Tell All Your Friends About This (am I your friend?)
Your Click Bank Commissions (what commissions?)
Get More Traffic to Your Website
I'll Pay Your Way In...
$97.36 Per Hour Guaranteed
Recruit 80-300 people free (is this the army?)