If Congress really wants to turn the economy around quickly:
1, Require credit card banks to reduce interest rates on all existing and future credit extensions to 200 basis points above their cost of Fed Funds, regardless of the perceived risk of the cardholder.
2. Immediately and for the next 18 months, cut income tax withholding on individual taxpayers by 50% and adjust personal income taxes accordingly.
3. Immediately discontinue taxing income generated by unemployment benefits, Social Security benefits and other qualified retirement plan disbursement for one year.
4. Any bailout funds given financial institutions must be used for third-party loans and the loans secured by the appropriate amount of 1st position preferred stock of the bank, issued in the name of the US.
Each of these immediately puts spendable income in the hands of the consumer. That is the only efficient way to 1) turn the economy around and 2) know whether or not its working without having to wait for two or more years.
