The vast sums of money being dispensed forces me to wonder-- what would happen if instead of billions of dollars going to the biggest banks and corporations, every tax payer received an individual bail-out/financial disaster relief check of $20K? That way everyone could make their own decisions to direct money as they need or chose. This would be more reflective of free market survival instead of big government/big business manipulation. I have heard references to past instances where tax payer bailouts resulted in eventual profits. That sounds very nice but I never got any dividend for the savings and loan bailouts, Chrysler, airlines, etc. Billions and more likely trillions of dollars will evaporate into the economy. The same players will make out well and everyone will say things are just fine, but there are millions who will not be any better off, no matter what. Please explain why my plan is foolish.

One of the pundits on the Sunday news panel shows made a reference to the fact that all of the bailouts are going to the top–banking institutions and corporations. All of this money will require oversight and accountability that will suck out more money. Why not just send $20K to every adult who pays taxes or qualifies for tax credits? Let us spend, save or invest the money as we chose. This is the bailout for everyone. Bankers can do what they want with their money. Car manufacturers can do what they want with their money. Workers who are laid off or put out of work because of bankruptcies, etc. will have $20K for retraining, health, etc. Congress could decide to make reinvestment of the $20K in stocks, health insurance, cars, mortgage payments fax-free. Others would pay income tax on the $20K. There would be no additional bureaucracy to direct trillions of dollars into the economy that would evaporate before “real people” would see any benefit. My math suggests that this plan would not be any more expensive than the plans that have already been approved or are being proposed.