"The promptings of the Holy Ghost will always be sufficient for our needs if we keep to the covenant path. Our path is uphill most days, but the help we receive for the climb is literally divine." --Elaine S. Dalton
Yep, nice of them to so generously give me my money back, which, btw, they took by force.
If someone needed money and robbed me, they would be guilty of a crime. If the government threatens me with jail and force to take my money and then give it to someone else, it is equitable and fair. GRRRRRR!!!!!
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Lo, there I see my mother, my sisters, my brothers Lo, there I see the line of my people back to the beginning Lo, they call to me, they bid me take my place among them In the halls of Valhalla, where the brave may live...forever
Oh, I dunno. This isn't really anyone trying to buy votes - both sides of the coin are working together. It seems genuinely tied to notions (misguided or not) of easing the recession and trying to help the economy.
Anyone know the history of these efforts? I'm not talking about getting gubment checks in da mail, I'm talking about government efforts to pour money into the economy to prevent or lessen recessions.
The only instance I can remember was the Savings & Loan bailout of the '80's. And the only think I remember about it, was people expressing opinions about how "you bail them out today, it'll be more likely that banks or mortgage companies will do dumb things like offer subprime ARM's to people who can't pay."
LM
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And I'd discuss the holy books with the learned men, seven hours every day. That would be the sweetest thing of all.
Sending "Tax Rebates" to people who paid no taxes is welfare at best, a bribe at worst. But any politician who openly opposes this will be called every bad name in the book. The media will then ask them why they hate the poor so much. They will be accused of being in bed with the rich. So no politician will do the right thing.
My wife and I plan on boosting our emergency preparedness stuff with ours. At least then we will have something to take care of ourselves when the economy totally collapses or natural dissaster comes.
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Jason (Formerly salesortonscom)
As I walk through this earth, nothing can stop, the Duke of Mirth!
But I will gladly accept any cash rebates in addition to the refunds from taxes I am due.
I do think it is sad that some people are so cynical as to simply relegate this to pandering for votes. Truth be said, it is too little too late in my mind for it to stave off economic hardship. The idea is that people will take the money and spend it. But, most thinking people are not going to do it this time. They will use it to pay down debt, pay for the higher priced commodities they need (fuel and food) to survive, and if neither of those are a concern, they will likely stash it in the bank.
Trying to jump start the economy by "giving" $600 - $1200 per couple (and maybe an additional $300 per child) so that folks will go out and spend does not go very far right now when it is costing over $50 to fill your gas tank for a typical four door sedan.
Something needs to be done about inflation. No one is talking about that. In fact the "I" word is very conspicuously being avoided. It is much easier to talk about the "R" word of recession because all that really means is that economic growth is negative, and recession has nothing to do with the actual cost of things people pay for.
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It seems to me the only thing you've learned is that Caesar is a "salad dressing dude."
Most politicians think their votes cannot be bought, yet why do lobbyists and interest groups give them so much money?
A good chunk of people will be getting more money back than they paid into taxes. In an election year, that is a bribe. (Remember Clinton last year told a group of poor people she wanted to give every child $5000? Parents with a lot of children saw lots of free money for themselves.)
It is unlikely that the stimulus will do what it is supposed to, get the economy roaring so strongly that we bring in more taxes than we used to stimulate the economy in the first place. So, unless we concede decreases in federal spending and programs, then we are increasing the debt, adding it onto our children and grandchildren.
The cuts I would make as president: Bye-bye social security (it is no longer an investment, but rather a tax) Bye-bye department of education Bye-bye agriculture subsidies Bye-bye military industrial complex Bye-bye medicare prescription drug plan Bye-bye medicare Bye-bye medicaid for those over 18
I bet we would pay off not only the yearly deficits, but the actual debt if I were in charge.
Really, it isn't the Federal government's job to fund any of those departments. Education, for example, is a responsibility of the states, not Federal government.
As for the rebate, it would be much better to give tax breaks to people and corporations if stimulating the economy is what's intended. At best, this rebate thing is a short-term fix. At worst, it's a huge increase in the deficit.
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"Oh be wise, what can I say more?" Check out my blog at smaugsmusings.blogspot.com
And how would you replace the hundreds of thousands of jobs lost nationwide when you killed off the military industrial complex? Talk about a sure fire way to crash the economy.
The AARP will never let Social Security die, heck they won't even let us make alterations that might keep it viable a little longer. I'd say that Medicare has as much chance of getting cut as well. No President, or single congress critter can face the might of the Elderly Lobby. And with the arrival of the Baby Boomers to that stage of life, that lobby is going to get stronger than ever.
I agree with smaug, but with the demo's in power in the congress, no tax cut for the Evil Corporations would stand a chance.
And how would you replace the hundreds of thousands of jobs lost nationwide when you killed off the military industrial complex? Talk about a sure fire way to crash the economy.
Gotta admit, I missed that one--I'd better read more closely next time. One thing for sure is, it's the federal government's job to defend America. The military is one industry that's got to stay. But many others could be cut to the bone or done away with entirely with no detriment to the country.
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"Oh be wise, what can I say more?" Check out my blog at smaugsmusings.blogspot.com
The military industrial complex has grown way too big. Much of its purpose is to create more "need" for its "services, which drain our treasure. It may make a little bit of money as an arms dealer to other countries, but not anywhere near what we put into it. If we must have an industry that grows and gains money by promoting wars, then it should be pruned back enormously.
Well, they passed that stupid stimulus package. Now our children and grandchildren can be stuck with even more, since the government is doing more deficit spending---spending money they don't have. Fat chance of them ever cutting back on programs and handouts to make up for it.
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"Oh be wise, what can I say more?" Check out my blog at smaugsmusings.blogspot.com
