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Here is one initiative that can unite progressives and conservatives as well as business leaders and community activists: helping the "unbanked" enter the financial mainstream by opening checking and savings accounts, and working collaboratively with financial institutions and community groups to develop and market products that work for this untapped market. This will put money in the pockets of individuals and grow the economy. And it won't cost taxpayers a dime.

Imagine the economic and social benefits of putting more than $8 billion in the hands of low- and middle-income Americans. That is the amount millions of people now spend each year at check-cashing outlets, payday lenders and pawnshops on basic financial services that most Americans receive for free -- or very little cost -- at their local bank or credit union. Over a lifetime, the average full-time, unbanked worker will spend more than $40,000 just to turn his or her salary into cash.

This isn't a bad idea...but Thomas Sowell addresses this issue in his book "Basic Economics". Banks don't open branches in the neighborhoods where check-cashing outlets thrive because there is no incentive to do so. Costs are too high.

What the heck is keeping people from going a mile or two away to a real bank and opening an account? Nothing.

Maybe government ought to make it worthwhile for banks to do that--but instead government tries to blame the banks for offering loans and accounts where they make a profit. (Profit is baaaaaaaad according to the left!)

Look, it would be great if poor people participated in the economy and learned about how the economy works. They might realize what a PONZI scheme Social Security and welfare is. Rush Limbaugh has been saying that for YEARS. Nice to see the impeached President and the liberal RINO from Kalifornistan figure that out, too.