Charlie's Blog

Charlie the heck with Valdosta. Come to Rome Georgia the sister city of Rome Italy in beautiful Northwest GA. We do not have Micky Mouse but we do have Romulus and Remus.

Hello Charlie,

I have been a fan for years. I Tivo World News every night and it is the last thing I watch before I go to sleep. I look forward to your sign-off every night.

Now to business. I came across something that you might find interesting. See below:

Subject: The Ultimate Bail Out plan... Makes perfect sense, not a joke!

The best bailout plan I've seen so far. How do we get this to the right people?

"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 bonafide 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.

Divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion and that equals 425,000.00. 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%. SO ....... 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 has $595,000.00.

What would you do with $297,500.00 or $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 US 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 U S 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 sectorbargain 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, The Family plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.

Ahhh...I feel so much better getting that off my chest. What is your opinion?

Regards,
Angela

Angela, that is the best and most productive solution that has been presented thus far. People spending money is what stimulates our economy, so why not try to keep the economy going by giving the money to the people. When do people buy stocks? When they are cheap. Give the people money while the economy is still slow and what will they do? Invest in the market and shop, a win-win for the economy. Why not build the economy back from the bottom up? Let's spend the money in a way that we can actually see positive results. I'm not going to feel any better knowing that some corporate executive is still being paid an unreasonably large amount of money for doing an obviously poor job. I vote for Angela's plan. That is an economic stimulus package that would make a difference! I'm sure there are problems that I don't see, but the results seem to be far more productive than what is currently on the table.

Dear Charlie
I am watching you on tv right now and must say you sicken me. I have been a fan of yours for years and your smug comment "is sara hurting the mccain ticket?" had me in disgust. You should take your job a little more seriously. YOU impact others and how you ASK the questions and you sooo set the tone. The country is questioning her ability now. How can the country questions Her ablity when some are ready to vote for Obama? I pray that before each interview you examin your power to influence. Becareful on how you use your publicity your power. I am so discussed with the media. Your JOB is to bring us the news ... not make it.
Do your job ....

Dear Charlie,
tonight I listened to your info regarding the white sox vs the cubs and the thoughts it brought of your childhood. Thank you for showing a human side. After your interview with Sarah Palin, I saw the real side of your news and journalism. What are you up to? Not very high in my eye that is for sure. You stooped lower than I ever expected from you as an interviewer, you must be gathering your thoughts with Katy, are you both not embarrassed by your questioning? It will be a long time before I trust your interviewing and news worthiness, just plain lo interview and very disappointing. Are you afraid to ask Sarah some real questions instead of trying to stump her? I think you should call back Obama and try your tactics on him, or how about Mr Synical himself, Joe Bidin?
Deb

Charlie,
I have just now been able to even speak to you after your condescending interview with Sarah Palin. I used to watch GMA everyday and you were doing the same thing on there to Diane. I don't know how she stood working with you. I don't watch that show or your evening news anymore because of you. I am surprised too because I thought I heard once that you have a wife and maybe daughters. Also, your negative press on McCain/Palin is ridiculous. And tell George to stop with the insults of Sarah too. She will do great and you all can just continue to play the popularity game with your View watchers and Oprah lovers. Can you tell that I've had it? Shame.

Patty
Mt Juliet, TN

Charlie, I have been watching the ABC Evening News religiously since I was a college student and Frank Reynolds was the anchor. ABC is my only television source. Yesterday, I defended you at work saying you were a fair unbiased reporter. People were talking about your interview with Sarah Palin. I had not seen it. I watched it tonight. I have to say I've never seen you so smug and talk down to anyone like that before. You asked her questions you won't even ask O'Boma. I'm sad to say that ABC will no longer be watched in our house.
Doug

Charles Gibson,,,,,,I am so very disappointed in you and A.B.C. I use to think that you were far and balanced. But you are not. You as well as your colleagues are hiding the truth of why Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and people like Barney Franks, Senator Dodd have blocked any kind of reform in the past few years. I consider this a cover-up and outright shoddy unethical journalism on your part and on the part of A.B.C. and people like George. You really need to look into yourself and see how by keeping this quiet you have allowed this problem to grow.

Does anyone realize that the media is ocntrolling this election with totally biased reporting and negligence? I think ABC has the best integrity--Are you guys up to it?? Expose the lies and coverups-from the economic crisis to the sketchy Chicago ties of Baracks?

Charlie,
Don't listen to the nuts ranting against the media. ABC News has been my favorite station ever since I first tuned into Peter Jennings and saw a rational, straight-forward, un-biased approach to reporting the news. I am happy to say you are continuing that tradition and I continue to watch ABC News over all stations for my news.

Dear Angela, please recheck your math.
85,000,000,000 ÷ 200,000,000 = $425

I saw the Palin interview and I did not drink any Koolaid, red or blue.
The impression I got was, questions were asked to try to Stump-the-Candidate™ or focus on a possible weakness instead of trying to find out what the candidate's political views are.

The question about Global Warming being caused by man made me picture in my head Charlie asking Nicolaus Copernicus if the earth was the center of the Universe. LOL.

It reminded me of just how little we know and how dumb we really are.

btw Charlie, I guess you didn't take my blogging is a Waste-o-Time™ comment to heart.

Charlie,
If Mrs. Palin is being trained for the upcoming debate, I'm pretty sure she or they are just touching the subjects of the interview, and we know she is a fast copier,is the knowledge she's accumulating would be enough to do the job she's applying for, or is she just going to B.S. her way out all through the administration.
Raffi

glad you say you like visiting outside NYC. how about not saying "down in Ga." or "out in Colorado" anymore - makes no sense to some of us. To me in Orlando, Ga, is up, not down.
You mean "from here in this seat in NYC" things are up or down.
Well, pls. stop. there is no reason to make yourself the default ref. point for all things. a bit grand, don't you think?
drop the geo refs pls.

Welcome back. And thanks for trying to get us as much information as possible about this economic debacle that is going on. It is extremely difficult for most of us to understand how problems on Wall Street affect the rest of the country.

Charlie stick to your job of BRINGING THe NEWS to us and STOP telling me your personal opinions!! Sarah Palin will be a great Vice President - fasten your seat belt Charlie and enjoy the ride.!!!

Charlie, hope to see you in Michigan! I'd like to see you do a report on exposing the details about the 'pork barrels' added on to this $700 Billion Bail Out deal. I think the american people would like and have a right to know the names of the people who submitted these items and why they were allowed to be tacked on. Who were the people on the committee that even allowed such garbage to be accepted? Doesn't anybody in Washington have the backbone to stand up to these people and tell them "NO!" that we will not have any of this hogwash! This is disgrace to the american people. I wonder what Peter Jennings would have to say about all this! I miss him dearly.
byw...I think Palin was picked only because she is a female.
Keep up the good work Charlie!!

charlie , dont listen to this low Lifes . this are the nasty republican , the doing to you ,what the doing to Obama , to hell with them .you are the best, you an George make me praud , there isent a mean Bone in ither of you . that Mc Cain Bunch is deviding this Country iven more then Busch , i know Obama will clean up Washington ,this is what we Neat ,from Bottom up, Charlie an George you are the best ,an i watch only you

Are you going to mention Obama’s Acorn
Raid or will this be swept under the rug?

DEAR CHARLIE:

I will not be watching GMA every again or any other ABC News program.. The disrespect shown to Sara Palin was disgraceful. She has more integrity than you, that is for sure. She speaks the truth and admits she doesn't know everything. You must think the American people are stupid. Talk about controlling the election. Yes, you do think we are stupid!

Your job (in case you have forgotten) is to report the new, not tell us who to vote for. Your support for Biden was over the top for sure Talk about one sided.

You would support a man who has take over 3 millions dollars in earmarks in 2008 alone. His son (Hunter)is a registered lobbyist with clients that Obams sought 3.4 millions in earmarks for. This is a nice little group. But no you are more concern about Sara Palin's daughter.

If you really want to do some excellent reporting, tell the American people who is responable for this financial mess. Take Barney Frank for a start who was told 4 years ago that this would happen, but chose not to restrict lending to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It is time for Barney to face the people.

Now that woud be honest reporting.

Never would happen at ABC!

JEAN, MA

Charles Gibson,
I thought that the media is suppose to be unbias. Not only you, as the others in the media as well, are so disrespectful and unprofessional and just hateful. Whether you agree or not you should be respectful, balanced and fair. Playing got-cha is childish and looking down your nose to Gov. Palin was a disgrace. I remember growing up with just the three networks, abc, nbc and cbs. That was good tv, respectable news reporters, now my family and I can't watch abc, nbc or cbs, the shows are trash and the news broadcast is , I know thing's change, but it should be change for the better not for the worse. I not going to even get started on hollywood. we the joe six packs, have allowed the powerful liberal media and powerful liberal hollywood, powerful liberal government to change what America was to what it shouldn't be. I hope the joe six packs can do something and I pray it's not to late.