Ah, the new electronic age! Ah, the free market! Ah, the welfare state!

So a young New York comedian, Craig Rowin, mashing up the above, makes youtube videos asking for a cool million bucks from individual millionaires! And, according to this report in Forbes, for whatever reason, one bit.

"I remember making the video, and I turned to the guy directing it and I said, ‘You know, we could make one million dollars,' " Rowin told me. "And he said, ‘No, that definitely won't happen.' That has been the common thing - it definitely could happen, but also it could just be a video."

When the first video didn't work immediately, Rowin expanded his options, inviting corporations to donate to his cause (or lack thereof). He included Forbes in his list of possible benefactors, saying, "Forbes. You make a magazine about millionaires! I think it would be pretty ironic if you made me a millionaire. Please do so."

Not quite exemplifying the contemporary gimme, welfare entitlement is Rowin's honesty.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Rowin's plea is his lack of justification. In each of the videos, he reiterates that he has no concrete plan for the money. In the first, he simply says, "I don't need it for anything specific, but I think it would be awesome."

(snip)

As luck would have it, Rowin's cry for cash found a willing set of ears in Benjamin, a millionaire from New York. As Rowin announced today via YouTube, he has reached an agreement; "He will give me one million dollars and I will owe him nothing in return."

Welfare but not at taxpayers' expense!

The transfer will happen in person on February 2nd, live on stage at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City, where Rowin, a comedian, often performs.

Craig Rowin, is this gross or net? Because like all the multi millionaire lottery winners, the federal government, New York State and New York City tax collectors will be watching that stage very carefully, getting their chunk of cash before you hit the dressing room.

Welfare, but at taxpayers' benefit?!

But still...you've got to admire the crass creativity of the plea. I do!

And I'm sure the millionaire Benjamin and the new millionaire comedian Craig Rowin will find a way to exploit this for even more money. It is the American way and I think it's great!