A Stimulus Plan From the People, For the People

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Now, here is a GOOD idea to stimulate the economy. A plan that will surge the spending of the American consumer.

In a Washington Post opinion piece, Dan Newman, who opened a retail food store in Seattle five years ago, suggests, not a tax rebate check--much of the last one got saved or paid down credit card debt, not a tax cut that only works if I pay taxes, not a reduction in sales taxes that present a logistic nightmare with all the different states involved, but a simple debit card.

• By sending every taxpayer a $2,000 debit card, the government stimulates spending directly. ...and with a defined expiration time, perhaps a year, the program could help precisely while other programs get underway.
• The American Gift Card could bear a picture of Lady Liberty, since it may be used for whatever taxpayers wish: smarter clothes, dinners out, a weekend away, a new heater. And as gift cards tend to be used in person, they are of particular interest to local businesses.
• Such cards allow people to spend where they find it most valuable, obviating debate about where the government "should" spend money.
• Best of all, the program could be implemented with all speed at the very time we need it most, helping America while the necessary other programs develop.

I knew there were people out there doing innovative thinking. Now, how do we get Congress to listen?
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