Hillary: Every baby born in the US should get a $5,000 account which they can access when they turn 18

[Cantankerous 0]

Rather see them give every baby born a lifetime supply of Vaseline so they can be prepared for a lifetime of being screwed by the government.

Doesn’t she mean let’s put $5,000 per baby right now into a fund and pretend it’s really for these babies and then we’ll screw with the money behind the scenes and then in 18 years from now we can say oops…

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Interesting idea, but with too many problems to even attempt!

[jundp 191]

I'd rather see tax incentives for companies to produce here, on U.S. soil, as well as tax incentives for businesses to offer college scholarships.

I agree with that.

Hillary's plan, however, just isn't all that sound. As VJ Troll said, it won't add up to much over time. So what's the real point? All it'll do is cost the tax payers unnecessarily. If we're going to raise taxes dramatically, then we may as well shoot for government-funded health care. I'm not suggesting we do that, but if we do raise taxes a ton, I think that would be a more worthwhile endeavor than giving "every newborn baby a $5,000 account."

In the world of fluffy bunnies and rainbows, Hillary's plan is a great idea. I think $5000 is too much though. It could work with a lesser amount, and if there were strict rules on how the funds are dispersed. For example, if the account is opened for the child and other people deposit money into it over time, who has access to the money before the child turns 18? Anyone? And supposing the child dies. Will that money go back to the government coffers, or will the family then keep that money?

I'd rather see that money spent on education that is excellent as well as not costing an arm and a leg. How is it that my son can go to college in Germany for 4 years for less than he can go to one year of the STATE university? That's just insane. Instead higher education is ridiculously expensive, unless it's a 2 year school, and then how many kids get sucked into credit cards they can't afford, student loans that they may take 30 years to pay off, and have no plans for health insurance or savings? I realize much of this problem is due to parents, but we also have a very "get it now" society.

[Sinergy 3]

Shouldng the trust fund thing be left up to the parents?

Free diapers for 2 years would be better than this

yes im still buying diapers 2.3 years later bc the boy wont POOP ON THE POTTY!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

$10 a week for 18 years is $9360. That's with no interest. Most people can afford $10.

[statman78 0]

Looking at the numbers....

4 million babies X $5000 = $20 Billion per year.

Will this go into the same non existant "trust fund" as my social security money?

[nin 1]

I'd rather keep my money (not pay the extra taxes this would cause) and save my OWN money for my OWN kids, thankyouverymuch. And let everybody else do whatever they want with theirs.

Edited September 29, 2007 by nin

[Geist 0]

Doesn’t she mean let’s put $5,000 per baby right now into a fund and pretend it’s really for these babies and then we’ll screw with the money behind the scenes and then in 18 years from now we can say oops…

Kind of like social security for young folks:

"When you work, we'll take ___% of your pay check, and put it into a fund. Lucky for us, this fund won't have your name on it, nor will we be legally required to actually keep money in it, so we can spend the money how we please, while using money we take from current workers to pay current obligations! yay!"

4 million babies X $5000 = $20 Billion per year.

Don't worry, I'm sure the government money printing presses aren't running at full speed yet. They can probably print a few more dollars. That way $5,000 won't be worth nearly that much.

[Ban Hammer 14,569]

I'd rather keep my money (not pay the extra taxes this would cause) and save my OWN money for my OWN kids, thankyouverymuch. And let everybody else do whatever they want with theirs.

you're not gonna go over too well with the liberals around here

[Jasman0717 9]

And why don't we trust them to invest their retirement while we are at it

[Marilyn. 340]

Shouldng the trust fund thing be left up to the parents?

Free diapers for 2 years would be better than this

yes im still buying diapers 2.3 years later bc the boy wont POOP ON THE POTTY!

i used to babysit a little boy who refused to poop on the toilet... I finally asked him why and he said he was afraid of the splash...

[britty 1]

If you have babies then you need to be prepared to pay for them. If you aren't prepared, then you have a good number of years to prepare for college etc. People's children should not be my tax liability. If anyone needs college its Clinton. She clearly isn't qualified for her current career.