Leave it to Hustler publisher Larry Flynt to come up with a plan to get America -- or at least metro East St. Louis -- moving again.

On Wednesday the outspoken Flynt (right) joined forces with Girls Gone Wild CEO Joe Francis to ask Congress for a $5 billion bailout of the adult entertainment industry. According to CNN, the pornographers acknowledge that the industry itself is in no financial danger. Still, they feel Americans could use a boost these days.

"People are too depressed to be sexually active," Flynt said. "This is very unhealthy as a nation. Americans can do without cars and such but they cannot do without sex."

Flynt operates a Hustler Club in the economically depressed town of Washington Park, Illinois. Though other southwestern Illinois enclaves known for their "gentleman clubs" -- Sauget and Brooklyn -- could surely benefit from a financial stimulus other than $1 bills.

-- Chad Garrison