Economic stimulus rebate: Help local family-run businesses.....
Posted Sep 13 2008 11:53pm
I must admit, I scratch my head a bit regarding the current debate going on in Congress regarding the rebate that they plan on sending most Americans. Quite frankly, I wonder the value of send large rebate checks because:
(1) Chance are that if they are spent, they will be spent at large corporate retail establishments that buy a majority of their products overseas. I'm sure China will thank us for helping out their economy.
(2) If citizens have any level of anxiety, like most do these days, they are likely to squirrel the money away or pay down debt. I really question why the government is encouraging us to keep spending, when Americans, in general, are carrying record levels of personal debt.
(3) Does the government really need to rack up more debt? That money is being lent out by foreign sources, turing this nation into a debtor nation bar none.
Now I know the logic is that if "consumers" spend money, it stimulates business activity, more jobs, more money flowing through the economy, etc. But it seems to me the money can be better spent in other, more precise ways, that will give the economy a real shot in the arm that will make a difference.
One of my favorite sites, the Simple Living Network, is launching a protest of sorts regarding the government's plans to issue these rebate checks in the near future. The suggestions they give are really good. I especially appreciate their call to spend money at local family owned businesses. Dear readers, check it out, and make a real difference with this money we are about to receive.
I must admit, I scratch my head a bit regarding the current debate going on in Congress regarding the rebate that they plan on sending most Americans. Quite frankly, I wonder the value of send large rebate checks because:
(1) Chance are that if they are spent, they will be spent at large corporate retail establishments that buy a majority of their products overseas. I'm sure China will thank us for helping out their economy.
(2) If citizens have any level of anxiety, like most do these days, they are likely to squirrel the money away or pay down debt. I really question why the government is encouraging us to keep spending, when Americans, in general, are carrying record levels of personal debt.
(3) Does the government really need to rack up more debt? That money is being lent out by foreign sources, turing this nation into a debtor nation bar none.
Now I know the logic is that if "consumers" spend money, it stimulates business activity, more jobs, more money flowing through the economy, etc. But it seems to me the money can be better spent in other, more precise ways, that will give the economy a real shot in the arm that will make a difference.
One of my favorite sites, the Simple Living Network, is launching a protest of sorts regarding the government's plans to issue these rebate checks in the near future. The suggestions they give are really good. I especially appreciate their call to spend money at local family owned businesses. Dear readers, check it out, and make a real difference with this money we are about to receive.
Sean