Event Report – BarCamp Rochester

Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 April 2009 12:53 Written by Brian Wednesday, 22 April 2009 12:52

This past Saturday I made the trip out to Rochester for the BarCamp being held there. Much to my surprise it was very FOSS oriented and friendly. I got the chance to meet up with a few fellow Ambassadors / Fedorians : Karlie Robinson ; Charles Profitt ; Luke Macken ; and Remy DeCausemaker.

Karlie held a talk on the OLPC and the 4th Grade Math Project which was ulimately the reason I attended the event and there was quite a bit of interest in the project from BarCampers.

Luke and Remy did a talk on civx.us – an Open Source Public Government Information System

I also attended a talk on OpenStreetMap which I found quite interesting.

Due to a previous commitment I was unable to stay for the entire event but I am plan on and look forward to attending the next event.

Solution to Financial Bail out.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 September 2008 03:22 Written by Brian Tuesday, 30 September 2008 03:22

Normally I don’t do this, but this message from my company’s HR person who happens to be a CPA was just too good not share with others.

Not to mention I am all for it!

Solution to Financial Bail Out – We Deserve It Dividend.

I’m against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.  Instead, I’m in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a  We Deserve It Dividend.

To make the math simple, let’s assume there are 200,000,000 U.S. citizens 18+.  Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child.  So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..

So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion; that equals $425,000.00 each.  My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a We Deserve It Dividend.

Of course, it would NOT be tax free.  So let’s assume a tax rate of 30%.

Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.  That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.

But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.   A husband and wife have $595,000.00.

What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?

- Pay off your mortgage – housing crisis solved.

- Repay college loans – what a great boost to new grads

- Put away money for college – it’ll be there

- Save in a bank – create money to loan to entrepreneurs.

- Buy a new car – create jobs

- Invest in the market – capital drives growth

- Pay for your parent’s medical insurance – health care improves

- Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean – or else

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back.   And, of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.

If we’re going to re-distribute wealth let’s really do it…instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 ( “vote buy” ) economic incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President.

If we’re going to do an $85 billion bailout, let’s bail out every adult US Citizen 18+.

As for AIG, liquidate it.  Sell off its parts.  Let American General go back to being American General.

Sell off the real estate.  Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.

Here’s my rationale.  We deserve it and AIG doesn’t.  Sure it’s a crazy idea that can “never work.”  But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!

How do you spell Economic Boom?  I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion We Deserve It Dividend more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC .

And remember, this plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.