No, the idea is not stupid, but I think you are making some unfounded assumptions. it would completely obliterate poverty in the US. Not really, it would do l

No, the idea is not stupid, but I think you are making some unfounded assumptions. it would completely obliterate poverty in the US. Not really, it would do little to help people in poverty already past 18 (unless they had children who were both just about to turn 18 and those children were generous...). Even for those that benefitted from this, to assume they would not go back to poverty you have to assume they will use it wisely (and possibly have some luck too.) If they go to college or start a business with that money, then they probably will move up and sustain themselves at least in the middle class. Probably. On the other hand, I bet a large percentage would spend it quickly and have relatively little to show for it at the end. Even those who start a business/go to college are not gaurunteed to stay in the middle class, they just have a good shot. Many businesses fail, and then those founders would be left with little but that experience. Many people with degrees are unemployed right now. I am not saying it is a bad idea necessarily, and I am certainly not about to dismiss it as stupid, but I do not think it will come close to wiping out poverty.