If the American People could get *one* bailout, what would you choose?

[ck4829]

Only one.

[slackmaster]

1. Immediate, total commitment to full implementation of the Metric System

It's about time.

[lame54]

2. thank you...

that one drives me crazy

[notadmblnd]

3. cut interest rates for mortgages and credit card across the board

people would then have more spending power, banks would still make money and we could use the bailout $$$ for infrastructure projects.

[lonestarnot]

6. To what rate would you reduce mortgages and credit cards?

[notadmblnd]

7. it would depend on the rate people are paying already

so if your mortgage is at 12%, maybe cut to 6%. If your mortgage is6, maybe cut it to 3. Same with credit cards. if your paying 29% cut it back to 14 if your paying 14% cut it to 7%. I would also like to see reductions in the cost of natural gas and electricity too.

[lonestarnot]

11. And this will create jobs how? With the addition descretional income? Multiplied by all middle

class family households below $250 K yeah it might do something, but not for people without jobs now unless the mortgage payment is low enough to pay with unemployment. :(

[notadmblnd]

12. There's certainly more things that need to be done along with this.

Jobs could be generated by infrastructure rebuilding. I'd like to see some kind of incentive for IT and other corps to bring the jobs back home. I'd also like to see unions get stronger in this country. The interest rate reduction I mentioned is just one of the things I think could happen to help give Americans a break.

[Bluenorthwest]

14. I missed the part in the OP or the thread

that says anything about creating jobs. Obviously, lowing interest rates will help those still paying the bills, and frakly I don't think people should have to lose a job to avoid usery.
Your argument is like saying treating an infection with anti-biotics is worthless because it does nothing for allergies.

[lonestarnot]

15. So we are in agreement the patient needs comprehensive treatment stat, and it more than likely will

get worse before it gets released.

[Juche]

4. infrastructure

That'll not only create jobs but lower costs for consumers and businesses over the long run. Building healthcare IT infrastructure can save hundreds of billions a year. Building energy infrastructure in the form of cutting edge energy production and efficiency will save citizens and businesses hundreds of billions a year in lower energy costs. Building transportation and communications infrastructure will save billions in lost productivity. More medical R&D can save on medical spending for chronic illnesses.

All in all, infrastructure is the best way (in my non-expert opinion) to create jobs while also making the economy more competitive and lowering cost of living for the middle class.

[Greyhound]

5. With only one choice, a limit I don't believe is necessary, I had to go with UHC. n/t

[RB TexLa]

8. Repay the social security fund

[ZombieHorde]

9. Wow, tough choices.

I went with education, an investment for the intellect.

K&R

[bemildred]

10. Other: a 100% clean sweep in Congress, all new, all progressive or at least Democrat. nt

[Romulox]

13. Other: I would shovel money at AIG and Citibank, while guaranteeing all their bad debt.

Then I would go to the American people and plead poverty, putting off any chance of UHC for years if not decades.

Sound like a plan?

[qwlauren35]

16. I'd take housing over healthcare.

If everyone had access to safe, affordable housing, I think a lot more people could afford health care insurance, even at today's prices.

It's not a choice I have to make right now, but I think I'd rather be sick at home instead of healthy and on the street.

[ColbertWatcher]

17. I want to vote for this one. n/t

[qwlauren35]

18. Another "bailout" possibility

mortgage forgiveness, tax credits or "landlord loans" for people who subdivide larger homes into rental property.

Major adjustment for the American people as a whole, but it might keep a lot of people solvent and others off of the street. It would also create a lot of contracting opportunities.

I think about some of the McMansions I've seen, and most of them could hold 2-3 families easily.