Simple plan
You’re rich enough to offer a bailout
“Bailout” was an easy choice for Merriam-Webster’s Word of
the Year 2008. No wonder. People begged for billions in bailouts last year, and
the groveling shows no signs of stopping in 2009. Besides CEOs of auto,
mortgage and insurance companies, some friends of mine yearned for bailouts for
their cash-strapped families.
I can only imagine how many people prayed God would send
someone to them with a bailout in hand. After all, a little (or a lot of)
financial help can solve a problem or two — or at least keep creditors at
bay until a person or business can get the financial side of their house in
order.
I’m guessing here, but based on the crashing economy, rising
unemployment rates, the $9,000 in credit card debt the average consumer has, shrinking
investments and little relief in sight, many people need more than an economic
bailout.
A neighbor, colleague, friend or family member might need an
emotional, psychological, physical or spiritual bailout. The good news is, you
can offer it to them whether you are rich or not.
How?
Throw some positive words their way, pray for them or even
with them, invite them to church, take them to your gym, pay one of their
bills, make them a meal, or just be a friend with some time to spare. Your
no-strings-attached bailout plan could be the stimulus package that pulls your
friend out of the crisis they are grappling with.
Not only will it cost next to nothing, both of you will be
better for it. And that’s as good as gold.
Kirk Noonan
E-mail your comments to tpe@ag.org.
