STIMULUS

Beginning May 2008, US taxpayers (persons filing their income tax returns this year individually or jointly) will be receiving a minimum of $300.00, max of $1200.00, as part of the government's stimulus package to stir the dwindling economy.

That's a sad thing?

Depends on who you ask.

Some are sad because the "emergency" act may further cause the devaluation of the dollar.

Some believe that the recession is currently happening, and any future aid will be too little, too late.

Some still are of the opinion that the package will not fulfill its purpose for being because of their belief that consumers will rather save their "stimulus" money, rather than spend it on anything. If that happens, the stimulus package will simply be a failed project.
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One of the biggest indexes of a strong economy is the willingness and ability of people to buy. Just like during the holidays when there are long lines to cashiers in malls, when reservations to theaters go months in advance, and restaurants are standing-room-only even outside break-periods, people putting money in circulation is the best way to oil the economic wheel. When people buy, capitalists maintain their employees, pay their taxes, and invest some more in future ventures. If people stop buying, they in turn will lay off their employees, or worse, close their businesses. When that happens, not only will the governmentl not earn revenue out of the taxes they and their employees would pay, but worse, the laid-off employees will become burdens to the state.

Arming the consumers with money to buy is therefore the rationale for the stimulus package.

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Some wise ass said that if the government's true intent, or hope, is for the taxpayers to throw their money into the economic wheel, it would have been right on the mark if they just send the money directly to businessmen. This guy, of course, reminds me of a politician in the then municipality of Makati, in the Philippines. The municipal councilor, in an effort to curb the flood crisis in Manila, introduced a bill to the council which said that the entire municiplaity should be repaved to such a tilting angle so that all rainwater will flow to neighboring Manila.