THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES ASKED READERS FOR IDEAS ON FIXING THE ECONOMY. ONE READER SUGGESTED THE FOLLOWING:

THERE ARE ABOUT 40 MILLION IN THE WORKFORCE OVER 50. PAY THEM ONE MILLION DOLLARS EACH FOR EARLY RETIREMENT WITH THE FOLLOWING STIPULATIONS:

1. THEY MUST RETIRE. THIS WOULD CREAT 40 MILLION JOB OPENINGS, SOLVING THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM.

2. THEY MUST BUY A NEW AMERICAN CAR. 40 MILLION CARS ORDERED, WILL FIX THE AUTO INDUSTRY.

3. THEY MUST EITHER BUY A HOUSE OR PAY OFF THEIR MORTGAGE, THEREBY FIXING THE HOUSING CRISIS.

IF MORE MONEY IS NEEDED, HAVE ALL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS PAY THEIR TAXES.  AND MAKE CONGRESS RETIRE ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE, WHICH WOULD INSURE SUFFICIENT FUNDING FOR BOTH PROGRAMS.

PERHAPS ITS TOO SIMPLE.  WHAT DO YOU THINK?