When you can bribe the people with the people's money, you no longer have a democracy.

momof2, bless your heart. You're one of many that needs this boost, and I'm very happy that we will all get it - but especially you. You're working your (***) off to raise your children right, and it sounds like you will spend it responsibly. I wish more people were like you - you are doing things right by your children and you should be proud of yourself !

some good suggestions TCB. may i add eliminating the IRS and going with sales tax. i don't think the rebate is the way to go. the amount being spent on that could go a long way in helping with health care. they could also put those bucks in an high interest account to infuse capital into the social security system. the rebate is just not a good idea!

It's an election year. Politicians love to give out lollipops when they run for re-election. Not everyone will get a lollipop and some will get big lollipops and some will get small lollipops. Maybe we shouldn't vote according to whether or which we get. Maybe we should vote according to what's best for all.

Did you notice that George Bush is not running for re-election? If you saw the property tax increases this year then you know that Governor Doyle isn't running this year either.

We aren't going to have Mr. Bush to kick around much longer and in my opinion that is a good thing. The problem that I have with these rebates is that they are touted by republicans as being in line with the party philosophy of lower taxes by calling them tax rebates. They are not tax rebates. When your taxes get to the IRS, they are long gone and then some. A lot some. These are bad checks written into our budget deficit and contributing to our national debt. What happened to the republican principle of fiscal conservatism?

..."i don't like him much either but to blame him for everthing that you find not liberal enough just shows you have a lack of knowledge about what is really going on politically in this country. left wing motto....LET'S SURRENDER!!!!!!!!!!!"
I am so sick of hearing this crap from both the "Liberals" and the "Conservatives". If you can't actually debate or discuss intellingently - all of a sudden the "leftest" or "right wing" comments start to fly. Shut the hell up with that already, and offer solutions if you have ideas, or get out of the way for folks that do.

As a lifelong republican, these tax rebates are a horrible idea. "The bill to create the economic stimulus has not been written yet in the House of Representatives, and it will be subject to approval and possible change by the Senate." Not written yet, we know the dirty details? I dont thinks so.

100% gaurantee there wil be changes. There wil be some pathetic appropriations bill that are attached to this shameless give away. Stevie Wonder sees thru this phony attempt to "rescue" the economy.

Memo to Paul Ryan (I would mention Russ Fiengold but he has a tin ear):

Recommendations to help the economy:

1. Eliminate the tax on all capital gains
2. Make permanent the Bush tax cuts
3. Eliminate the death tax
4. Fix the AMT
5. Reduce spending in non core Gov't areas (its a 2.4 trillion dollar budget-after all)
6. Reduce spending
7. Reduce Spending

8. Let more americans keep their money-before it goes to washington.

The Federal gov't needs to learn from everyday americans. Citizens simply cannot print money when they want to spend more. Its ideas like this that make me support mandatory term limits for congress. Our founding fathers are rolling over in their graves at the notion that citizens go to washington, catch potomac fever, never to return to their districts. Congress lives high on the hog on the tax payer dime, enacting b.s. legislation-but exempting themselves in the process and congress wonders why they have approval ratings below 20%?

Happy Saturday!

gwendt, first off, there are those who are trying to rectify the unfairness of those on social security not getting any rebate money. I hope they succeed. But-sorry to say-they are not really doing it for you, or for me, they are supposedly trying to stimulate the economy. If you could use the money to "play catch-up" on your meds or rent, that is not the goal. (remember, "don't kill the messenger). And another clue to the "reasoning", garyprimer deserves a nudge, nudge, wink, wink back. Keep in mind the last time this was done.

This seems a little suspicious in an election year. Are the Republicans targeting a certain demographic with this idea? Democrats have little choice but to go along or give opponents points to use against them. Seems a little too much like buying votes to make me comfortable with the whole idea, but I'll take the money. After all, my suspicions may be unfounded. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

being a senior on social security, i have paid taxes for 40 plus years, payroll taxes mostly going to social security.
wondering why the Republicans want to "push" this stimulus package through w/o stimulus money to social security recipients that live soley on their social security check?
social security sole check people already are deciding on whether to pay for housing, food, medicine, heat, etc.

In reference to the retired people getting a smaller or no rebate check, at this point, it looks like those living on Social Security, and without at least $3000.00 of earned/taxable income, will get no rebate check.

MajorMojo; Our pensions weren't "free." We worked hard for them and EARNED them thank you.

Thats the Bush Administration for you. Writing checks with no money in the bank.

Not only are we NOT going to have social security when we retire, we also don't have the luxury of pensions any more. These are a thing of the past and the only thing we can rely on is to save whatever we can on our own in our 401k. You people with your free pensions have it made in the shade. So just sit back and sip your leamonade!

I think its great I'll be happy to get that being a single mother of 2 it will help with clothes and food. I know there is a lot of people milking the system to get everything for nothing . But there is alot of poor working people out there that get help to. I work very hard and struggle every month with bills and still have to get help from local food pantarys just to feed my kids. I'm one of those right above poverty. So what ever the goverment wants to send me in a rebate check is great. Just remember not everyone getting food stamps or help from the goverment is just sitting home doing nothing some of us work but just need help so our kids don't suffer.

commonsense1 said:
So a married couple with children, a mortgage, college savings fund and atleast one car payment. receives a check for $1200 and you and your wife receive one for $600. Who's coming out ahead???
-----------------------
Unless I've totally misunderstood any of the media reports, a husband and wife will get the full $1200 regardless of whether there's a mortgage, college fund etc. How do you explain the difference?

Wow, talk about taken out of context. I see one very small Bush comment and now it's that we're all Bush haters?!?! I agree, he is not my favorite person but fisherhouse3 nails this rebate on the head. In no way is the government issuing these checks because they care about our families. They are being issued to boost the economy. I don't see how 600.00 is going to do that. Yes, there are billions of people in this nation....but, if we have property taxes, enormous heating bills, outrageous gas prices...the average joe and jane are going to use that money for those things. Not to run to the store and purchase something. If the government really wants to boost the economy, perhaps cost of living raises need to go into effect for everyone...those in factories, retail, schools, and the retired.

here come the bush haters. this was agreed on with the democrat leadership also. quit blaming bush for everything. i don't like him much either but to blame him for everthing that you find not liberal enough just shows you have a lack of knowledge about what is really going on politically in this country. left wing motto....LET'S SURRENDER!!!!!!!!!!!

WTP- I agree that you have paid your dues how ever, You have a completly scewed sense of reality if you think the average working Joe has it any better than you. We pay the same gas and heating company with the same rates. We have family and children to support just as you DID. However, unlike you we pay into a social security system that most likely will not be around when we retire. We also pay a portion if not all of our health insurance consuming all of the cost of living raises. So a married couple with children, a mortgage, college savings fund and atleast one car payment. receives a check for $1200 and you and your wife receive one for $600. Who's coming out ahead???

The tax rebate is not so people can live on. It is so people can go to a store and SPEND it. The main reason for the rebate is the stores need that money. The goverment is not looking out for us. Me I will use the money to pay the taxes on our house. Yes I agree that many of the poor milk every agency to get free this and free that. But not every one is. I am proof to that.

For 10's of years the elderly paid there share of taxes. They where not getting the big salaries that workers get today and not able to set aside large savings. They retired and now collect social security and a small savings or pension. If our government wants to give so much money away to the working people, why are they penalizing the elderly and only giving them peanuts. Gas and heating has taken most of there social security and they are to proud to ask for heating assistant. They grew up living on what they earned and that carries over to today. Todays generation if poor will go and milk every agency out there to get free this and that. Bush should think this over again for the elderly. The working middle and upper class already have income coming in to cover there expenses and still able to save.

That's right Mr. Bush.....throw the peons a crumb....