This sounds like something FDR did or Obama is dreaming about.......Mystery man gives away cash in New York
1 day ago
NEW YORK (AFP)  He won't say his name, hides his face, and hands cash to anyone who asks in the middle of New York.
The mystery benefactor known only as Bailout Bill sat Wednesday behind a counter in the heart of Times Square giving money to hundreds of people waiting in temperatures well below freezing.
The well-built man protected by plainclothes guards wore wraparound black glasses and a wool hat pulled low over his head.
Some people waited for more than five hours to reach a makeshift window marked "Bailout Booth" where they received at least 50 dollars, sometimes much more.
Many of those queuing were victims of the severe US economic downturn. Tens of thousands have lost their jobs in New York alone.
"I'm very appreciative. I might give some to my mother," said Leon McNeil, 25, after being handed 50 dollars. He was laid off by troubled department store Macy's last December.
News of the giveaway spread fast by phone. McNeil said that at first he couldn't believe the story.
Then he thought, "it's New York and it's Times Square."
Bailout Bill's idea is partly a publicity stunt for a new website,
www.bailoutbooth.com, where you can post videos advertising possessions, services, and personal messages.
But the idea is also to help ordinary people in the same way that the US government is bailing out banks and other corporations, a spokesman, Drew Tybus said.
About 500,000 dollars will be dished out in several US cities, he said.
"Rather than getting a TV commercial during the Superbowl, the idea was to give people a chance to make some money. We all know someone who's been affected."
All people had to do was tell their problems to an assistant standing in the street with a microphone and camera.
"My mother is dying in bed," said Mario, a frail man who wore cowboy boots and carried a walking stick.
"Let's see what Bailout Bill says," the assistant replied, hugging Mario.
Bailout Bill announced: "I'm going to give 150 dollars."
A man named Curtis told Bailout Bill he was an Iraq war veteran who owed 500 dollars in rent and was unable to pay for stress medication. Both his parents were recently hospitalized, he said.
He walked off with two 50 dollar bills.
Homeless man Juan Vasquez, 45, said he was grateful for his 100 dollars.
"That should last me three days for washing my clothes, food, cigarettes. To a person who's got nothing, that's a lot," he said.
Tuesday was the "Bailout Booth's" second and last day in New York. Next it goes to Washington, Boston and Philadelphia, Tybus said.
Just who is this mystery man with the deep pockets? "Bailout Bill can't tell you his real name," Tybus said.
"We assume there's too much of a risk. Everyone knows he's got money, so, well, something could happen."
But for anyone thinking of taking the money-for-nothing concept a bit further and robbing that cash-filled booth, Tybus had a warning.
"Those guys standing around here and also in the booth -- they're off-duty cops. And they're armed."
