If you were designing an economic stimulus program--what would it look like?

[WI_DEM]

First, kudos to President Obama. He is doing much more for the infrastructure of the country than Bush ever did or most presidents. But, still given the problems more should be done.

Here are some elements I would have liked if I were making up an economic stimulus program:

1) I would hike the average check for unemployed people to $300 per week as compared to the current average of $200 per week.

2) Definitely do extend unemployment benefits (the Obama program does this in some cases up to 59 weeks)

3) If you lose your job and don't qualify for COBRA (or afford it) or don't have other form of health insurance, you automatically qualify for Medical Assistance for you and your family.

4) Increase Food Stamps by at least 20% (Obama program isn't bad, I think it's 13.5%)

5) Provision that any company which received bailout money and misuses it must pay it back.

6) Provide immediate $1000 tax rebate to single people and $2000 for married couples--HALF THE REBATE WOULD BE A CHECK THAT YOU CAN USE FOR WHATEVER YOU WANT (PAY OFF BILLS) AND THE OTHER HALF A CARD THAT MUST BE SPENT IN SOME WAY BUYING PRODUCTS THAT COULD STIMULATE THE ECONOMY AND CREATE JOBS.

7) Propose at least $150 billion over two-years for school/colleges/ ect

8) Propose at least $100 billion over two years for road/bridge/levies/infrastructure repairs

9) Propose at least $100 billion over two years for energy/solar/wind power/ exploration

How else can we help pay for this program? Immediately end the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy. The wealthy have had 8 years of profiting, if they pay more in it won't hurt them one bit. Also, begin bringing the troops and occupation of Iraq.

What would you do?

[notadmblnd]

1. pass laws that lower everyone's interest rates, lower interest on CCs

and ban tax breaks for companies that off shore jobs. Seize the assets of people like Madoof, Cheney and the rest of these crooks.

[Greyhound]

2. Reinvent the SBA, make direct no-interest loans to qualified start-ups

and existing businesses that need expansion funds.

Return patent and IP terms to 7 years.

Raise the minimum wage $5 p/hour this year and bring it up to $18 - $20 over the next decade indexed to inflation.

Eliminate preferential taxation by removing distinctions between different types of income. Eliminate tax on wages below regional minimum living wage. Implement graduated income tax rate with top rate of 65% - 75%. Tax business on income in lieu of profit and require any company doing business in the US to meet US standards (including our protectorates and territories).

Universal single payer health care.

Convert banking to a fee based system, outlaw the charging of interest, and establish a federal bank offering minimal services as an alternative to the private operations to ensure competition regardless of consolidation or collusion.

Withdraw from the WTO, IMF, and World Bank. Renegotiate or withdraw from all trade agreements based on equitable conditions with matching tariffs.

Short-term rebuilding programs to restore our national infrastructure.

[Two Americas]

3. jobs

Take the trillion dollars, and hire all 20 million unemployed people at $50,000 a year. Set them to work rebuilding the public infrastructure and making things. Details can be worked out, and all benefits will flow from that. There will be upward pressure on everyone's wages, we will get the country functioning again, we will restore our manufacturing base, get money flowing, and do many valuable things for the benefit and welfare of the general public. There is no downside. Only the upper 1% would be hurt by that, and not seriously. The public would support it, which would make opposition by the Republicans untenable.

[RagAss]

4. It would begin on Wall Street...and look like this.....

[Edweird]

5. "New Deal II" + a lot of what Canada has going on....