A solution to the economic crisis?

In this column, Tom Lyons, an editor of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune (10-12-10) argues that the simplest solution to the lingering economic recession is to give $1,000,000 to each of 40 million Americans near retirement age.  This will open up the job market and the economy will be stimulated by the infusion of cash.  It's unlikely that he's serious about this proposal, but what do you think about the idea of putting cash (lots of it) directly in the hands of consumers, rather than funneling it through banks, businesses, the government, etc.?