A contest on how to fix the economy

I know that a few weeks ago Saturday Night Live was making a joke about the administration's "call for citizens' ideas" on how to fix the economy. I think they had an 800 number and the White House was fielding calls because they could not come up with a plan themselves. It's so sad that its truly at that level of: "Lets pretend we know what we are doing." I think that instead of having elections we just have a lottery of eligible candidates with a plan and then pick a plan and a candidate at random. Or have a dart board with ideas pinned to it and throw darts at the board and whatever sticks then proceed with those ideas. A relative suggested a "visionary board" where we put all the things and ideas and plans on how we really want government to be and then just "visualize" it. I guess "the pursuit of happiness" is no longer part of the agenda? Maybe we should have a national essay contest: How I would fix the economy. Then an independently selected board of experts would review the essays for concrete ideas, and the individual who submits the most brilliant plan would receive the medal of merit and valor. I think that whoever comes up with an ingenuous plan would become the most-loved person on this planet. It's worth a try. All the students at universities and children and any adult in our population who has the solution should submit an essay. It should be concise with annotations to the point and have the best interests of the people at heart. The prize should be an honored place in history, tax exemption for life and perhaps an institution named after them so that others can follow their lead.

Valerie Benson

Warrenville