No Bush Kick Back For You!

[Bobinator]

Re: No Bush Kick Back For You!

I don't see anything wrong with the tax rebate thing, aside from the fact that it cost millions to send a stupid letter telling us about it. But that's not Bush's fault. That's red tape stuff.

Bush did a tax rebate earlier during his first term, and it did well for the economy. The Dems learned from this, which is probably why they agreed with Bush this time around without incident.

I feel it stands to reason that tax contributors, rich or poor, should get a rebate in accordance with their contribution. What we make annually is our problem, not the Federal Government, and certainly not the President. Cross over onto that side and you're flirting with socialism. Government's job regarding taxes should be "fair" to all, not play Robin Hood.

[Karen]

Re: No Bush Kick Back For You!

Ocean, I hear ya and I think most of us would be "given a hard time" about getting caught in one cuz of the timing. They are great at catching folks that are distracted, to say the least.

Bob, the cost of that letter was absurd, just like the millions that have been spent "studying" the rail issue, an issue that we may yet vote down.

[craigwatanabe]

Re: No Bush Kick Back For You!

Well the checks must have started coming in. Yesterday I was doing some light grocery shopping at KTA (sales ads effective as of Wednesday) and there was a super long line at the store's Bank of Hawaii branch inside past the checkstands. The grocery bagger was astounded at the line and asked me if I knew what was going on?

At first I thought maybe the welfare checks were in, but a quick glance at the line told me otherwise unless welfare recipients dress up in standard office attire.

Then I heard one guy go, "Woo Hoo" then another astonished sigh from another, and a, "yes yes yes" from a woman at another teller's window. I looked at the bagger and said, Economic Stimilus Check came in I bet"

[salmoned]

Re: No Bush Kick Back For You!

I don't see anything wrong with the tax rebate thing, aside from the fact that it cost millions to send a stupid letter telling us about it. But that's not Bush's fault. That's red tape stuff.

Bush did a tax rebate earlier during his first term, and it did well for the economy. The Dems learned from this, which is probably why they agreed with Bush this time around without incident.

I feel it stands to reason that tax contributors, rich or poor, should get a rebate in accordance with their contribution. What we make annually is our problem, not the Federal Government, and certainly not the President. Cross over onto that side and you're flirting with socialism. Government's job regarding taxes should be "fair" to all, not play Robin Hood.

You really don't see anything wrong with the government increasing the national debt for a small and temporary economic 'stimulus', thereby obligating future taxpayers to repay a much larger amount (with accrued interest) later? It's robbing the future for the comfort of the present. Why not have a decade long tax holiday? After all, we can just keep printing the money to pay the bills for as long as we want. Just think, if we devalue the dollar enough, the U.S. will soon become the low-cost producer for everything we produce and our GDP will explode (in dollar terms)! It's not as if this stimulus will ever 'pay for itself' in future income. It is simply pandering to a 'free lunch' mentality, similar to the proposed gas tax holiday to be paid for by 'windfall' oil company profits. The government would do better to pay an ad agency to convince us the economy is doing just fine, thank you, your home entering foreclosure notwithstanding.

[craigwatanabe]

Re: No Bush Kick Back For You!

Man give the public some money and sheez! Look if the majority of the public (I'd say the Democrats) doesn't want their ESP checks they can always direct at least $72.5 Billion into organizations that will benefit education, medical, welfare or anything else Democrats feel Bush isn't putting enough into. Think of it like personal Block Grants to whatever organization you feel fit that deserves it.

[Leo Lakio]

Re: No Bush Kick Back For You!

we are donating it to a number of charitable and non-profit causes.

Change of plans - putting aside the lists we were making (of our charitable choices), the money is instead going to Iowa flood relief efforts.

It's been 24 years since I left Cedar Rapids, but I gotta help out the peeps from my past life, no?

[oceanpacific]

Re: No Bush Kick Back For You!

You're a better man than me, Leo. I'm taking my AF along to Vegas to a company sales summit. I have to pay for her airfare and with the airline tickets costing a lot more these days, that check comes in handy.

[Leo Lakio]

Re: No Bush Kick Back For You!

You're a better man than me, Leo.

Nah-nah-nah - I'm not gonna pass judgement on how anybody uses their check. No "better" than you in any way, op.

If I had gotten it three years ago, or even while I was unemployed last year, I might spend it differently. But a number of factors have led me to look closely at how I "use" my finances. I've made some changes, and am fortunate to be able to do this at this time.

[oceanpacific]

Re: No Bush Kick Back For You!

Got the "stimulus" funds and paid for the LV trip. It was less expensive to book a tour package which included a hotel than to just book airfare. We'll only use the package accommodations the first and last nights while the company picks up the tab for the five-star resort.