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Marching Out Of Recession

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 14, 2009

There is one very simple fix for the economy that, to date, none of the brains in Washington have thought of. It doesn't require any huge stimulus package and doesn't include any free handouts to anyone.

Most economists, both then and now, agree that what stopped the Depression of the 1930s was World War II. Why? Because it ramped up production of all kinds of material necessary to support the men in uniform.

My suggestion is to simply increase the current size of our military by 500,000 or 1,000,000 people. It takes about 10 civilians to support the needs of one military person. And, I don't mean taxes for his/her salary. I mean to make the guns, planes, uniforms, barracks, offices and shops, roads and runways, etc. that they need.

By adding 500,000 people to our military, we would create an immediate need for approximately 5,000,000 civilian jobs to support them. Plus, of course, the 500,000 who are added to the military.

This may sound pretty far out, but it is really a workable plan. And, there'd be no handouts or giveaways.

ALFRED J. D'AMARIO

Husdon

The writer is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel.

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