June 10, 2008

Not feeling very stimulated

Still waiting on our stimulus checks.

I think the program to send out $300-$600 to taxpayers was a poor plan. I think something a little closer to the New Deal where the government put people to work would have been more beneficial. We have plenty of roads and bridges in need of repair, lots of national and state parks in need of maintenance, etc. The stimulus money would still end up in the economy, and we would be improving our infrastructure. Not that anyone asked me.

I know sending a check to everyone provides a quicker impact and more political punch in an election year, but if we're going to add to an already enormous deficit, it would be nice to have a long term benefit to show for it. If it was impact we were really looking at, my understanding is that extending unemployment and food stamp programs have the greatest impact overall.

I'd like to say I plan to send our checks back on priciple, but we behind the 8-ball like most everyone else. Bad plan or no, I'm ready for the check in the mail. In checking the IRS website, it looks like we might be waiting a while yet.

2 comments:

matt said...

Hmmm. . .

Let's see, $1000 taken from my paycheck . . .

$400 skimmed off the top for bureaucratic meddling . . .

$600 returned to me as "stimulus" . . .

Some plan they cooked up . . .

Anonymous said...

I am reading your entry from my new laptop. Thanks Uncle Bushy! I'll stimulate the economy anytime. All you gotta do is ask.