I was reading the article on CNN about TARP, the stimulus and where the money has gone.  The underlying issue is we have a fundamental problem with the distribution.  We are using the money to save business that have proven their business model is broken.

We are treading water, not recovering.

I propose something with a little more common sense, and much better return on our collective investment.  Invest the money in new businesses, start-ups, small businesses.  Yes, high percentage fail.  It still has a better probability of survival than through $500B at businesses ALREADY proven to be failures.

How would we do this?  Turn the SBA into something more powerful.  If you want funding you submit a business plan, you meet with them, and if you on the right track you get funded.  How is this different than SBA?  Well, the current SBA is a joke.  There is a small segment of people who will qualify with only certain types of businesses.

How much should be fund it with?  Take the remaining balance of the Stimulus and put that in the fund.  Put the money in AMERICAN hands of people trying to create jobs, start new, create taxable income, all of which will bring in more.  Selling and renting commercial properties, equipment, supplies, etc.

If the Government spent half the effort of trying to actually encourage growth instead of keeping failed businesses afloat due to personal connections and campaign donations we would be much better off.

President Obama,  you said hope, change, you were elected on the principle of the belief in the American people.  Try putting OUR money where YOUR mouth is.  Put the money back into the hands of those who want to do something with it.  We are bound to have better results then paying your buddies in 'high powered' positions to fail.  By the way, how much was Kenneth Lewis's retirement was it $53,000,000.00 of tax payer money?  Yea, that's not hope or change.