'I AM MINISTRY OF THE TREASURY OF THE REPUBLIC OF AMERICA.'

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Gail, that's a joke. It's a play on the Nigerian scam emails about exactly what our gov't is trying to do by bailing out the banks.
I still want to know why we all got rebate checks (to save the economy) but are just worse off now than ever.

Grrr of VT 7:31PM September 25, 2008

If the legislature came come up with a plan that would save the econnomy and let any profit made go to the taxpayers, who would ultimately being paying for it instead of the "fat cats" who run the banks or Wall Street, then I would be in favor of it. But only if the government can trim off some the "pork spending" so that our taxes won't go up. I believe a straight tax (example: 10% on every dollar earned) would be good with no loop holes, and no class distinction. That way if you make say 24,000 dollars a year then you pay 2400 dollars (to be taken out of each pay check) or if you make 10 million dollars then you pay a million dollars. That would be fair, because the rich man couldn't say "I'm paying way more taxes, because in reality he is paying exactly the same which is 10% of his earnings. We wouldn't have to pay millions of dollars to the IRS or anyone to "police" it, because it would simply be taken off the top. When you get your pay check you would recieve 90% of your actual earnings and the government would recieve 10%. Even a elementary child could do the math. People couldn't cheat on their taxes. It may not be as simple as all that, but it seems like we have messed things up by trying to make it all complicated.

Betty Jobbins of TN 1:01PM September 25, 2008

So Molly often rebuked Fibber McGee's frequent tongue in cheek attempts at humor (for the dearie you're much younger than I--that was one of the most popular radio situation comedies pre-tv)
The fact is that this attempt at tongue in cheek humor by Mr. Schlesinger is true.
We are being billed and we will pay.

HillbillyBill of TN 9:55AM September 25, 2008

I guess Gail of New York didn't get the joke.

sigrid of CT 8:38PM September 24, 2008

I like it! But the spelling is too good.

Nina Brenner of OR 7:16PM September 24, 2008

Unelecting Bush, Paulson, McCain and Gramm is more important than any bill to pass this week (or not). No, chicken little, the sky will not fall in a day or two. Bullhockey!

of 4:20PM September 24, 2008

I have recieved several emails over the last few weeks requesting banking info and request to transfer funds. Usually with some hint that it would be "most profitable for me." But, this one takes the cake. How could anyone in their right mind take this as a valid transaction? Where do these people come from? I have thought of printing them off and sending them to a law enforcement agency, but it probably wouldn't be worth my time. I just urge everyone who recieves these downright laughable emails to just do just that-have a good laugh then delete. Gail Surrago

Gail Surrago of NY 4:20PM September 24, 2008