USA: What are you going to do with your rebate check?

[Bike Tourist]

Well, I was going to contribute to the "Impeach George Bush" fund, but I don't think any politician is going to suggest that messing up the world is an impeachable offense. Not like lying about an ecounter with a young woman, now that's really serious and world shaking.

So — I guess I'll have to be a good consumer and buy something photographic.

 

[brachal]

If the goal is to make SURE the money is spent, they should send everybody a gift-card instead of a check. They could even let us pick the card ...

1. Barnes and Noble
2. Starbucks
3. Home Depot
4. Wal-mart
5. Haliburton

 

[Berliner]

Holly Burton? Holly Burton...I like your idea--cut out the middleman...

Wal-mart--might as well send the check directly to China...

Home Depot--same...

Starbucks-- Aah the 'South American Stimulant Package'...Has potential

Barnes and Nobel--that may help, people actually reading something...anything...

 

[greyhoundman]

Save it. They'll likely make you add it as income on your next fed tax sheet. This is what they did in 2000. Save the tax now. 😉

 

[splitimageview]

We always talk stimulus but this kind of gimmick never works to change macroeconomic realities in a 13 trillion dollar economy.

Yep.

This isn't a stimulus, it's an election year redistribution. Those above a certain threshold get nothing...those are the ones who pay for the checks that others get.

It's nothing more than Robin Hood. There is no more money in the economy; it's just different people that will have it.

Not only that, but the checks won't go out until May, and some til August!

How is this going to help fend off a recession (that isn't a recession) in January?

 

[wgerrard]

Bill, with "fraud" I was referring not to the sales side of it but rather the way loans were repacked. Those who did it, smart people in their way, knew what was going to happen in the end, i.e. what Mark have written above. It might be not punishable by letter of law, but it is a fraud scheme according to most existing moral value systems.

That I can agree with.

The obvious answer is better regulation of the financial industry. I know that runs counter to some thinking these days. But, if big corporations were running amuck in the era of Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt, why should we believe that their 21st century descendants will behave differently? It's been my observation that many people will lie, cheat and steal to acquire more money, even if they're CEO's.

 

[jjovin]

Yep.

This isn't a stimulus, it's an election year redistribution. Those above a certain threshold get nothing...those are the ones who pay for the checks that others get.

It's nothing more than Robin Hood. There is no more money in the economy; it's just different people that will have it.

Not only that, but the checks won't go out until May, and some til August!

How is this going to help fend off a recession (that isn't a recession) in January?

Although I will not reject the check, I agree that it is an election year politics that does not solve a single economic problem. I also suspect that the oil prices will go down to below $2. The oil prices have been kept artificially high through controlled production by the oil refineries.

My check will most likely go toward a 100mm ZF.
This can only help German and Japanese economies.

 

[goo0h]

So — I guess I'll have to be a good consumer and buy something photographic.

Yup. That's about all we can do. Might as well enjoy it.

 

[Rico]

... how are YOU going to use that money.

I'm going to buy George a drink. How much Wild Turkey will $800 get me?

 

[splitimageview]

Although I will not reject the check, I agree that it is an election year politics that does not solve a single economic problem. I also suspect that the oil prices will go down to below $2. The oil prices have been kept artificially high through controlled production by the oil refineries.

To lower the price of oil, drill. The oil is there...and yes, more refineries, please. No new ones in 30 years? What's up with that? 😉

 

[Al Patterson]

That's a great way to stimulate the economy. Be sure to take lots of photos of the fall foliage while your on the narrow gauge and post them here.

The drive between La Veta and Trinidad is also splendid during October.

I usually drive north from ABQ through Santa Fe. I should fly into Denver and go over the La Veta pass, as I haven;t been that way for a while. There is also a tourist railroad in Alamosa to visit if they will be running that late in the year.

 

[Al Patterson]

Although I will not reject the check, I agree that it is an election year politics that does not solve a single economic problem. I also suspect that the oil prices will go down to below $2. The oil prices have been kept artificially high through controlled production by the oil refineries.

My check will most likely go toward a 100mm ZF.
This can only help German and Japanese economies.

I would suggest you study some economics. Oil at $2 is a fairy tale. OPEC wouldn't stand for it. However, if OPEC expanded production, prices will fall. But I doubt we will ever see oil below $50 again.

Also, while oil refinery capacity may be a problem, it doesn't solely explain the current high prices.

 

[sepiareverb]

I was thinking of going to Cuba, but it's getting kinda warm down there now...

 

[PhotoMat]

My rebate conveniently arrived just a few days before it was time for me to pay my property tax here in Montana. (Sigh). The government giveth and the government taketh away. 🙁

 

[dlove5]

Hmm, 1 kid in college and the other entering later this year.... Nah - Vacation!!!!! Always a good excuse to actually use some of my camera gear.

Well the kids somehow convinced the parents this should be a family vacation. Something about how this might be the last chance with the youngest off to college in the fall.

So, with partial thanks to our benevolent government - Aruba, here we come!!!

 

[rxmd]

My rebate conveniently arrived just a few days before it was time for me to pay my property tax here in Montana. (Sigh). The government giveth and the government taketh away. 🙁

Hey, where's the attitude gone that gave us the Tea Party? "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto Leica the things which are Leica's" (King Barnack Version).

Philipp

 

[sepiareverb]

I wish we Europeans would get welfare checks as well. 😀 I would get my drink on...

I'm sure some of mine could head your way Erik, got any extra Noctiluxes lying around?😀

 

[sepiareverb]

I love the 28 Cron. Handling is about as perfect as it could be, and the quality is absolutely stunning, 1620 prints look fantastic. Quickly becoming my most used lens.

Well, lets figure out how to get you some welfare and get me some f1 😀

 

[kuzano]

Walk it to the bank.........

Walk it to the bank.........

I'ts much to small to go by itself.

 

[kuzano]

Montana... Home of Posse Comitatus

Montana... Home of Posse Comitatus

My rebate conveniently arrived just a few days before it was time for me to pay my property tax here in Montana. (Sigh). The government giveth and the government taketh away. 🙁

Hey... I thought youse guys were rebelling against taxes, both federal and local. What gives? Montana is no longer my role model if you have started paying your taxes.

"Members of the Posse Comitatus frequently refuse to pay taxes, to obtain driver's licenses, or otherwise to comply with regulatory authorities. They deny the validity of United States fiat money as not backed by gold, which they claim the Constitution requires.
They have unusual legal documents drawn up and attempt to record them, declaring independence from the United States, or claiming to file "common law" liens against perceived enemies like Internal Revenue Service employees or judges. They are often involved in various tax protests, and have invoked arguments popularized by tax protesters."