Yesterday my blog-mate Kathy Allen and I were chatting about the current state of the economy, and what we would do about it if we were in charge. While being in charge of cleaning up this economic mess is about the last job I would personally aspire to at the moment, that didn't stop us from coming up with some interesting ideas. This then is the first plank in the Allen-Economy Economic Stimulus Plan of 2009.

The success of any good economic stimulus plan relies on one key outcome: economic stimulus, that is, people spending money to buy stuff and getting the gears of our great economy turning again. Until people start spending money again, the economy will continue its downward spiral and that dreaded D-word -- Depression -- may not be far down the road. The big problem with the $787 billion economic stimulus plan recently passed by Congress and signed by President Obama is that precious little of it is going to end up in the pockets of the people who could do the most to get the economy moving again: you and me.

That's why I believe we should make everyone a millionaire.

Yes, you heard me right -- every man, woman, and child within these United States and its Territories. Well, not exactly everyone. First of all, you would have to be a citizen of the United States. If you're just visiting or if you've got a fake ID, then you don't qualify. However, assuming you're among the 300 million or so citizens of the United States, then my idea is for Uncle Sam to cut you a check for a cool $1,000,000. So, if you happen to have a family of four, that would be a big, fat $4,000,000 in your piggybank. One more important thing: this windfall would not be subject to state or federal income taxes. You get to keep every single penny.

Now, what do you think most people will do with their new-found wealth? That's right -- they're going to spend it! They're going to buy new houses (solving the housing crisis), buy new cars (putting the auto industry back in the green), go on vacations (getting our airlines and aircraft manufacturers back in the air), and do all the other things that will kick our economy back into gear. And guess what? Unlike the current economic stimulus package, the full effect of this one will be felt within a week or two after Uncle Sam starts mailing out the checks. The wheels of commerce will begin turning again, and we'll soon find our way out of this economic mess.

So, what do you think? Maybe it's time for us all to become millionaires. At least for a while.