Unnamed Donor Wanted To Drop Cash From Helicopter

Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, earned the derisive nickname "Helicopter Ben" for mentioning the idea of a helicopter money-drop as a means to avoid economic deflation. But in Wichita, Kansas, there were some well-off people who thought an actual helicopter drop of money would be a nice thing to do at Christmas time for their less fortunate neighbors.

Perhaps recalling the woman who pepper-sprayed her way to the front of a Walmart bargain line on Black Friday, some townsfolk and the local news media suggested that people fighting in the streets over falling money would not be an appropriate way to celebrate the holiday. KWCH-TV reports the city's law department said the stunt could violate city code. Mayor Carl Brewer says that when he met with the would-be donors, he was able to convince them there are better ways to help people.

The group reportedly still plans to do something on Christmas to help people, but isn't saying exactly what. The amount of money that was budgeted for the drop has never been revealed, but Chuck Schreiber of Kansas Copters and Wings says he was contacted to see if he would do the flying, and it "was a significant amount of money."

Maybe a safer way to benefit folks in Wichita who are hurting financially would just be to order a new airplane.

FMI: www.wichita.gov