Matthew Stafford's Economic Bailout/Stimulus Plan

Oh no, not another bailout! Before you click your back button, hear me out.

Right now is an EXCELLENT time for young Matthew Stafford to hit a PR home run.

Aaron Curry was the player the majority of the Detroit Lion's fans wanted. He was perfect: "Safest pick", Played like a beast, filled a need, was bringing a sick child with him to the draft, watches Spongebob Squarepants, has the bar code for Jujubees tattoo'd on his arm because he loves them so much. He passes the humility test, loves football, and is family first. Also, his dad played for the Lions back in the day as well.

Chants of "Draft Curry" and "Don't Draft Stafford" were shouted at the logo unveiling.

When the draft finally came around, it was the Quarterback from Georgia who was holding up the Lion's jersey.

Many of the Curry supporters have admitted defeat and are willing to support Stafford in hopes of him rising to his draft spot and becoming the franchise QB of this team.

Playing in any professional sports market is tough enough. Here in Detroit, we have the burden of history. If there was just one first round bust every other year, we could live with that. The spotlight is on EVERY pick to perform.

So begins the new day. New logo, the "new" administration, new staff, mostly new team.

Matthew Stafford is the face of this new look Lion's team. It sure would help him to at least get started on the right track with some fan support.

Of all the nation's metro areas with a population over a million, Detroit ranks first with 14% unemployment. With a metro population of 3.9 million, that means around half a million people in the area are not working. Just to put that to perspective: if Stafford could cash out right now of his entire contract including all incentives right now, and give it to all the unemployed (estimated at 546,000) that would be a whopping $156 per person. maybe enough to pay the electric and gas, but thats it.

Suppose he could do something that could more directly impact over 100 Detroit area famlies.

A brand new Ford Escape Hybrid is $30,000 retail.

A Ford Focus is $15,000 Retail.

What if Matthew Stafford was willing to help out local families by having them submit their story to win one of 4 things:

• 40 families will have the opportunity to purchase a brand new Ford Focus with $7500 being donated for the down payment.
• 30 families will win $15,000 towards the purchase of a brand new Ford Escape Hybrid
• 20 families will win brand new Ford Focus
• 10 families will win a brand new Ford Escape Hybrid

The total retail price is 1.2 million, but say Ford calls it a million to help move 100 vehicles. All the cars must be purchased from the winner's local dealer and the commissions spread through each dealership.

• 100 families get free or half off vehicles (by need),
• Dealers help get rid of the surplus- salesmen get a little boost,
• Ford gets some of his money back and move some of his cars,
• Stafford wins the hearts of Detroit.

So, what say you?