That's exactly how I feel, and I've heard the same thing from my mother and my grandmother "We've got no business spending all that money over there when we've got so much we need it for here."
ETA: And it's not just the money. It's also the effort and the energy and the attention.
Darrin Bell did a "Candorville" comic strip in which he showed Chinese business owners rejoicing at the boost to their economy from the Bush Bribe. That's what's going to happen -- people will buy stuff made in other countries and further imbalance the balance of trade.
Yesterday I heard an ad for Kroger, offering a 10% bonus for using the Bush Bribe to buy gift cards. Minimum $300 purchase, for example, gets one $330 for buying stuff from Kroger.
It makes sense to put the money into supermarket gift cards instead of buying more "stuff", especially if you'll get an extra 10%. Pity the gas companies aren't offering a similar deal.
It's clearly a bribe. Crafted to be just enough $ to feel significant. It is a very cheap bribe.
If a payout was really intended to "stimulate the economy" it would be about ten times as much ($6000) and given to *everyone* whether they were 'deserving taxpayers' or not.... Money spent by someone who hasn't paid taxes certainly would stimulate the economy.
But I suppose that if the amount were that high, most of it would go to pay down debt on credit accounts -- and lower what the credit companies could collect on interest.
We could have paid down debts with that, or the $1500, bu there's a host of Things That Need To Be Done around here that could really use that money. If you gave me a half-million, that would pay off the mortgage, clear out any debts and give us a hell of a cushion. It's not enough to stop working, but it's enough to say - oh, you need a new car, dear?
For some reason, I am very annoyed at how likely the amount was carefully researched and calculated. And targeted for the voters who would be annoyed if 'non-taxpayers' (poor people) had $600 each for spending money. (GrumpGrumpGrump)
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ETA: And it's not just the money. It's also the effort and the energy and the attention.
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It makes sense to put the money into supermarket gift cards instead of buying more "stuff", especially if you'll get an extra 10%. Pity the gas companies aren't offering a similar deal.
Reply
If a payout was really intended to "stimulate the economy" it would be about ten times as much ($6000) and given to *everyone* whether they were 'deserving taxpayers' or not.... Money spent by someone who hasn't paid taxes certainly would stimulate the economy.
But I suppose that if the amount were that high, most of it would go to pay down debt on credit accounts -- and lower what the credit companies could collect on interest.
Reply
Reply
For some reason, I am very annoyed at how likely the amount was carefully researched and calculated. And targeted for the voters who would be annoyed if 'non-taxpayers' (poor people) had $600 each for spending money. (GrumpGrumpGrump)
Reply
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