Food for thought:
#1) Eliminate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Let the US Treasury buy all mortgages from lenders and collect the resulting interest, which could theoretically fund all (or at least offset the cost of) government programs including universal health. Go figure. A lot less layers, less corruption, and would help reduce the cost of government.
#2) Must work for unemployment. Volunteer work that is, for the State, County and City in which you live. In order to collect, you must put in at least 35 hours a week helping assist in the areas where you live. Picking up trash, serving food to the poor, the Humane Society, the elderly, local schools. No voulnteer work, no unemployment checks. This would quickly get many unemployed back to work, and help out so many others. Must assist existing and recognixed non-profits or government entities only.
#3) Speed up the short sale and foreclosure processes which will invigorate the economy by increasing the number of manufacturing and construction jobs which drive the US economy. Every sale of a new house causes a chain reaction of spending on both goods and services by the new owner which increases productivity and demand. The continued delay of short sales and foreclosures is actually dragging out the economic recovery and risks pushing the economy into a second recession of much larger proportion.
Any idea that will help the US economy is a good idea and the ones you have posted are certaily worthwhile.
As a person involved in the investment industry, the potential bankruptcy of the US seem to be such a ridiculous concept. It would be like sitting on teh couch at home starving when there is food in the fridge.
It is time for the US to get back into the resources business in their own back yard. The US has the resources in the ground and in their heads to resolve the economic issue without resorting to non-payment strategies.