Exactly How Much Is A Billion?

This gave me nightmares.

1. A billion seconds ago, it was 1959 and the Cold War was heating up.
2. A billion minutes ago, Jesus was alive and the Roman Empire was conquering the known world.
3. A billion hours ago, early man was making primitive tools during the Stone Age.
4. A billion days ago, no life forms with two feet were alive on Earth.
5. But at the rate the United States government is spending YOUR money, a billion dollars ago was 8 hours and 20 minutes ago.

Now while this is still fresh in your brain, chew on this: Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) is asking Congress for $250 billion dollars in Katrina relief for New Orleans.

This means, among other things, that each of the 484, 674 residents of New Orleans (man, woman, and child) would get $ 516, 528.
Each of the 188, 251 homes in New Orleans would get $1, 329, 787.
A family of four would recieve $2, 066, 012.

As one former Congressman put it, "A billion here, a billion there...Pretty soon you're talking about real money."