AIG bailout--email I received

[Richard]

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 billon 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 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.

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

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!!

 

[sba55]

I don't get it.

200 billion / 200 million = 1000, no? 85 billion / 200 million = 425?

-Felix

 

[SkyHog]

I don't get it.

200 billion / 200 million = 1000, no? 85 billion / 200 million = 425?

-Felix

It actually comes out to $42,500...which I'd take. But...yeah, you're right, that's not quite $425,000...guess that's one MORE email that shouldn't be circulated.

 

[jesse]

I think the author needs to retake 4th grade math class:

85,000,000,000 / 200,000,000 = $425

425,000 * 200,000,000 = 8.5E+13

Let'see 8.5E+13 = 85 trillion dollars

 

[SkyHog]

Uhm....Are people seriously this stupid?

85,000,000,000 / 200,000,000 = $425

425,000 * 200,000,000 = 8.5E+13

For those that believed the original email, in non-scientific form: (I assume Scientific form was something covered in 4th grade, after you dropped out)
$85,000,000,000,000

Vs.....
$85,000,000,000

so, my original math was wrong. I'd still take $425 dollars rather than give it to AIG tho.

 

[Henning]

For those that believed the original email, in non-scientific form: (I assume Scientific form was something covered in 4th grade, after you dropped out)
$85,000,000,000,000

Vs.....
$85,000,000,000

so, my original math was wrong. I'd still take $425 dollars rather than give it to AIG tho.

Maybe it was a Brit who wrote the original.

 

[SCCutler]

Maybe it was a Brit who wrote the original.

...one who had a Lucas, positive-ground, castor-oil-cooled calculator.

 

[steingar]

Still, I could sure use 42 grand.

 

[mikea]

I don't get it.

200 billion / 200 million = 1000, no? 85 billion / 200 million = 425?

-Felix

It actually comes out to $42,500...which I'd take. But...yeah, you're right, that's not quite $425,000...guess that's one MORE email that shouldn't be circulated.

I think the author needs to retake 4th grade math class:

85,000,000,000 / 200,000,000 = $425

425,000 * 200,000,000 = 8.5E+13

Let'see 8.5E+13 = 85 trillion dollars

Just add a note to the email,

"Margin of error +/-1000%"

I wonder if the guy who wrote this is a former mortgage broker.

 

[gprellwitz]

Just add a note to the email,

"Margin of error +/-1000%"

I wonder if the guy who wrote this is a former mortgage broker.

Um, 3 orders of magnitude is a lot more than 1000%! Please try again!

 

[jesse]

Still, I could sure use 42 grand.

$425 see the above simple math.

 

[mikea]

Um, 3 orders of magnitude is a lot more than 1000%! Please try again!

Man! You wanted me to do math first thing in the morning?

 

[etsisk]

Like most other things political and economic, it sounded GREAT... until we stopped and actually thought about it...

 

[mikea]

Like most other things political and economic, it sounded GREAT... until we stopped and actually thought about it...

Sorta like "YOU NEED TO PASS THIS NOW AND DON'T ASK QUESTIONS!!!!" ?

 

[rubber314chicken]

I think it should go to every college graduate/ college student 18+

If you didn't go to college you didn't earn it.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

I think it should go to every college graduate/ college student 18+

If you didn't go to college you didn't earn it.

I pay my taxes just like you do, and I pay a lot of 'em. (I'd take a pay CUT if I were to finish my Electrical Engineering degree and get a job in that field.) Care to justify your position?

If I had $425,000, or $42,500, I'd go back and finish the last year of school that I couldn't finish because I actually tried to pay for school myself the first few years.

I have $425, but that's not enough to live on and pay tuition or I'd go back in a heartbeat.

I think now I know why so many non college educated Americans absolutely cannot stand, and do not respect, those who did go to college. There are a few elitist snobs that ruin it for the rest.

 

[jesse]

I think it should go to every college graduate/ college student 18+

If you didn't go to college you didn't earn it.

That attitude isn't likely to carry you very far. But, what do I know? I didn't even finish 10th grade.

 

[alaskaflyer]

If the email truly came from the alleged author, he is an advertising executive.

 

[sba55]

I think it should go to every college graduate/ college student 18+

If you didn't go to college you didn't earn it.

I know a former marketing vice president for HP who didn't go to college. Yet, he owns a large estate in central California. Odd, isn't it?

-Felix
Proud high school dropout

 

[mikea]

That attitude isn't likely to carry you very far. But, what do I know? I didn't even finish 10th grade.

Neither did that slacker, Bill Gates.

 

[rottydaddy]

I think it should go to every college graduate/ college student 18+

If you didn't go to college you didn't earn it.

I'm dying to read an explanation of this... c'mon, convince us that statement has any merit.
I hope it's not an assertion of the ridiculous idea that earning college credits is harder than attending the school of Hard Knocks...?

Maybe it is sometimes, but usually not. Especially when a scholarship fund, Mom and Dad, or the gov't (meaning the taxpayers) are footing the bill for one's schooling.


Besides, the proposition is for something American taxpayers deserve, not something they earned... there is a difference.

Frankly, I think we deserve to see something involving tar, feathers, and a splintery fence rail, but I mustn't get too political...

 

[Bob Noel]

> If you didn't go to college you didn't earn it.

The irony is that the person who did go to college probably received
assistance (e.g., $$$ from the state and/or feds).

 

[TMetzinger]

You're a piece of class! I actually am going to college right now, but if I ever become a snobbish elistist prick like you, I really hope someone beats me before I come to a forum and spout about the intelligence required to handle tax money properly.

IOW, you ain't as smart as you think you is, rubberchicken.

I'm with you, Nick.

 

[mikea]

> If you didn't go to college you didn't earn it.

The irony is that the person who did go to college probably received
assistance (e.g., $$$ from the state and/or feds).

They're so smart they have college loans to pay off until they're 40.

 

[rubber314chicken]

I think now I know why so many non college educated Americans absolutely cannot stand, and do not respect, those who did go to college. There are a few elitist snobs that ruin it for the rest.

1) I'm not an elitist snob
2) If you saw the kind of trash that 60% of my school is you would know that the 400K they got would go towards drugs. I'm sure the other 40% would use it to get to college, but I'm sure a lot of it would go to waste.

I didn't realize that so many people don't go to college- I can think of one notable example of a person that I know personally that didn't go to college and is very unfit for the world- I had no clue that people didn't do and are now millionaires.

I think there needs to be a system to devise who would put it to use- paying of all debts, continuing or receiving an education, or what ever they choose to do with it as long it is not detrimental to life (such as drugs, and that stuff)

I'd like to apologize to everyone who I offended with my previous statement, I didn't know how many people don't get a formal education and life successful lives.

 

[TMetzinger]

OK - you just apologized for being incredibly ignorant. Good.

I assume you haven't gone to college yet. I don't know how anyone old enough to have gone to college could be unaware of the many people who do vital work without a college degree. Your electrical linemen, your building trades, your fire and police, many of your military enlisted and some officers too. Your grocer, your bus driver, your train engineer, your chef.

Nearly any trade or profession will require dedication and passion and learning for success. How you get that learning/knowledge isn't that important.

 

[rubber314chicken]

OK - you just apologized for being incredibly ignorant. Good.

I assume you haven't gone to college yet.

Nope. I'm not old enough for a student pilot's license, so I'm sure that explains a lot.

 

[SkyHog]

I'd like to apologize to everyone who I offended with my previous statement, I didn't know how many people don't get a formal education and life successful lives.

Here's the deal man, the attitude of "you must go to college or you're a waste" is what is making college so damned expensive to begin with, and its what is making jobs that shouldn't require a degree require them.

For example, do you really think you should have to have a degree to work as a manager of a fast food restaurant? Of course not, you just have to add, subtract, etc. and manage people. That should be based on pure tenure in the trade, not a degree, but unfortunately, since everyone has degrees these days, it becomes a necessity to use that to separate qualified applicants.

College is a great thing, if you need it. If you don't? Blegh, no need to force the issue. I was not offended, since I don't have a degree but I'm planning on getting one, just to keep up with society, but I know a LOT of people without them (my mother for one, a paralegal) who do more successful things than many of the people I know with degrees.

 

[Henning]

Nope. I'm not old enough for a student pilot's license, so I'm sure that explains a lot.

Wisened from the long road of life that you are...

 

[flyingcheesehead]

I assume you haven't gone to college yet. I don't know how anyone old enough to have gone to college could be unaware of the many people who do vital work without a college degree. Your electrical linemen, your building trades, your fire and police, many of your military enlisted and some officers too. Your grocer, your bus driver, your train engineer, your chef.

Your pilot...

 

[jason]

Your pilot...

Your executive...your entrepreneur...

 

[rottydaddy]

1) I'm not an elitist snob
2) If you saw the kind of trash that 60% of my school is you would know that the 400K they got would go towards drugs. I'm sure the other 40% would use it to get to college, but I'm sure a lot of it would go to waste.

I didn't realize that so many people don't go to college- I can think of one notable example of a person that I know personally that didn't go to college and is very unfit for the world- I had no clue that people didn't do and are now millionaires.

Hooboy- I only attended college for one year, and I met quite a few people who were "unfit for the world"... if someone is a party-all-the-time slacker in HS, they will actually have far more opportunity to "improve" on that in college.
And it isn't necessary, IMHO, for someone without a college degree to be a millionaire in order to not be considered a failure.
The greatest success is not so much to get rich as to end up earning a decent living doing something that you are good at and find fulfilling. And a college degree doesn't guarantee you will get rich, believe me.

I think there needs to be a system to devise who would put it to use- paying of all debts, continuing or receiving an education, or what ever they choose to do with it as long it is not detrimental to life (such as drugs, and that stuff)

Interesting idea, but unless you have to fill out a form for permission every time you want to spend ten bucks, ain't no way the gov't will be able to keep you from buying crack.

I'd like to apologize to everyone who I offended with my previous statement, I didn't know how many people don't get a formal education and life successful lives.

That's cool...I didn't take it personally so much as I just thought it made no sense. I still don't really understand what the original point was... were you suggesting that a personal taxpayer refund only go to people who prove they have a "useful" plan for it, such as tuition? If so, refer back to the 1st part of my response here. Lots of losers go to college-and stay there as long as possible- to avoid the real world.

There are working people- blue collar, white collar, whatever- with families, with no health insurance, with brutal mortgages or paying outrageous rent, who've had Uncle Sam digging in their pockets every payday since they entered the workforce and deserve a break- who never even finished high school, yet are productive citizens and good people.

That cleaning lady is probably more of an asset to this country and the economy than the slacker kid she's putting through college by the sweat of her brow...

 

[Greebo]

That attitude isn't likely to carry you very far. But, what do I know? I didn't even finish 10th grade.

I didn't finish college, but I am in the top 90% income bracket. Guys like you and me, Jesse, w/o our degrees we're just worthless. We so dum we might jus mess up and format the poa server...

 

[Greebo]

1) I'm not an elitist snob
2) If you saw the kind of trash that 60% of my school is you would know that the 400K they got would go towards drugs. I'm sure the other 40% would use it to get to college, but I'm sure a lot of it would go to waste.

I didn't realize that so many people don't go to college- I can think of one notable example of a person that I know personally that didn't go to college and is very unfit for the world- I had no clue that people didn't do and are now millionaires.

I think there needs to be a system to devise who would put it to use- paying of all debts, continuing or receiving an education, or what ever they choose to do with it as long it is not detrimental to life (such as drugs, and that stuff)

I'd like to apologize to everyone who I offended with my previous statement, I didn't know how many people don't get a formal education and life successful lives.

Apology accepted.

I suggest you read two very enlightening books by Dr. Thomas Stanley.
The Millionaire Next Door
The Millionaire Mind

The first book takes a look at the lifestyle of the average millionaire, with hard statistics to back up the assertions. Interestingly enough, the average millionaire is not a big spender. The second book is more of the same but looks more at attitudes and beliefs.

Generally speaking, the safe bet is that the guy who *LOOKS* like a millionaire only looks it, but isn't actually one.

 

[Ken Ibold]

The irony is that the person who did go to college probably received assistance (e.g., $$$ from the state and/or feds).

Not me. Worked my butt off, took a year off in the middle and went part time for two years besides that, graduated with no debt or financial aid of any kind. Well, my dad did buy my books my first two semesters. If something is important enough to you, you can find a way to make it happen.

 

[Everskyward]

I still don't really understand what the original point was...

I'm guessing that the adults in Rubberchicken's life have been using the line that a college degree is essential for success in order to get him or her to attend.

 

[jesse]

I'm guessing that the adults in Rubberchicken's life have been using the line that a college degree is essential for success in order to get him or her to attend.

A common thought programmed into peoples head during early education. That said, I have absolutely nothing against college and do recognize the value that it provides.

It is impossible to predict the future which makes it hard to decide if skipping college will stunt your long-term career. One really needs to look at their field and measure the value that a degree holds in it.

Not having a degree can certainly limit your options. I took a long hard look at what I would be missing out on by not having a degree (in my field you will probably never be a random number employee at a major company without a degree). I really have no desire to be such so a degree will likely only damage my long-term income by wasting 4 years and taking on major debt. If you can figure out how to be successful at managing yourself while making money you will do fine without it. If you can't--you're going to hurt.

To sum this up--A college degree is not a guarantee for success the same as not having a degree isn't a guarantee to fail. In the end, to be successful, one must simply learn where they are strong and figure out a way to capitalize on it throughout the changing economy.

 

[ScottM]

I didn't finish college, but I am in the top 90% income bracket.

I think you should maybe have stayed in college and taken a stats course so that you would know that being in with 90% of the population is no great feat. You just lumped yourself in slightly above the Wal-Mart greaters.

Now if you were in the top 10% income bracket that would be something.

 

[ScottM]

Not me. Worked my butt off, took a year off in the middle and went part time for two years besides that, graduated with no debt or financial aid of any kind. Well, my dad did buy my books my first two semesters. If something is important enough to you, you can find a way to make it happen.

I got one student loan for $800. I also worked, went to community college joined the service, got my degree in the service while working full time, also got a 2nd degree in another field after I left the service. All of it with my own money.

 

[Everskyward]

To sum this up--A college degree is not a guarantee for success the same as not having a degree isn't a guarantee to fail. In the end, to be successful, one must simply learn where they are strong and figure out a way to capitalize on it throughout the changing economy.

I agree with you. I don't think college is for everyone. Personally I'm glad I have a bachelor's degree even though the content of it is virtually useless to me now, but I can see why other people would choose other routes. I was never particularly enchanted with academia since I have a more practical rather than a theoretical way of looking at things, and I never considered going back for any higher degree.