Here's something I was dreaming about today while playing with my calculator. [View All]

[Cleita]

If 300 trillion dollars were invested in safe interest bearing bonds, this government could hold the money in trust for every man, woman and child in America both citizens and residents. At an average rate of 4% that would amount to forty thousand a year for each person that could be distributed for health care, education, emergencies, unemployment and the many things that come up in one's life time.

Each new baby born would get their million dollars in trust as a lifetime stipend. This would guarantee that they got the health care they need, an education and the ability to follow their dreams. It would cover their retirement too after working a lifetime in a field of their choosing. When a person dies the principal would revert back into the fund to be distributed to new babies. Also, there should be periodical adjustments in the principal amount to allow for inflation. I have come to the conclusion that everyone should be able to share the wealth of this nation not just a few elitists. If every American had this to fall back on we could wipe out poverty. Those who are marginal in either physical or mental health can get the care that they need when they need it.

I believe we would see a flowering of arts, a renaissance of sorts because those talented and artistic people would not have to worry about supporting themselves while they pursue their muse. The only condition I would place on access to the money if not being used to pursue an education would be that they spend two years in one of the military branches and after that work at something twenty hours a week if they are capable of work even if it’s sweeping floors until they settle into the career of their choice. It could allow for one parent to stay at home with small children during their formative years, if desired.

Of course I know in this age we are not ready to let someone inherit an income unless it’s Paris Hilton. The rest of us must enter the grind and rat race to get ahead, if we can get ahead. I believe we need to change how we think about this. But in order to wrap our minds around this we have to stop thinking in terms of unearned money being sinful somehow. Let’s face it, it is your money and you will pay taxes over a lifetime that will more than pay back the principal. It’s just really giving everyone a start in life before they can earn money and to insure that they will be able to during their lifetimes.

On edit: corrected my math mistake thanks to Dick Diver.