I'm going to put mine in the bank to really piss off the government.  They want me to spend it . . . so I'm not.

 Better yet, cash the check and save it at home. That'll get tons of laughs and ticked off politicians wondering what happened

THEY ARE BUYING ME A NEW COUCH!!!!!!!  THE JOKES ON THEM FOR SURE.

It's a bribe, plain and simple.  They are saying, "Yes of course we are idiots and yes we screwed up the economy, but here- take this money and give us another chance.  We promise to do better this time."

I pay taxes and a lot of them.  If I could push the delete button and get rid of the Fed I would.  Now they are going to bribe most of the country but I can't have a bribe because I pay taxes on too much money.  They are going to bribe the people who don't work and don't pay taxes, but nothing for me.  Wake up you big stupid government!  Those people also don't vote.  I do, but not for either of your Fed parties, not anymore.  

What an election year joke!  I am going to Mexico and spend mine there.
What they should do is control the real government, big oil.  And stop waisting money on the bush war.
You can fool some of the people all the time.

Glad you're taking this up, Jaie.

Not like I'm going to tear up my check if/when it arrives, but this is perfectly described by John S.;  an election year joke.

First, I think we should ALL take our checks and immediately put them into our savings accounts.  Don't give these guys what they want:  their money back into an economy they neglected in favor of war spending.  They've put themselves into a position where a huge threat to our economy has become the personal savings rate - how sad!!

Our highways and bridges are literally crumbling from under our wheels, they steadfastly refuse to pass any form of universal health care, but borrowing huge amounts of cash to 'give' to us is a responsible act?   It's neither economic nor stimulus... it's political trickery.  And it's really dangerous for America.

The reason our president thinks it's a good idea is because he's too stupid to know what he SHOULD be doing with our tax dollars.

What about all the people who owe the governement money?

They probablly won't get a check and that money will just get funneled back into the government.

Real stimulating, isn't it?

CAN'T WAIT TO GET MY CHECK. DOESN'T MATTER WHAT I THINK SHOULD BE DONE WITH TAX PAYER DOLLARS- IT WILL BE SPENT ON WHAT EVER OUR ELECTED OFFICALS DESIRE.

Oh brother - borrow $ from my left pocket to put in my right pocket.  Stupid idea.

Last time they gave "tax payer relief" checks (political-much?) I didn't get one. I got a letter saying I'm not going to get one. I expect to get another letter saying I'm not going to get a check. That will cost the taxpayers at least .41 to send. I'd rather get the checks the government sends to Haliburton EVERYDAY anyways.

I think this is a waste of time on the government side.  First, of this is just like an advance loan that you get now and then have to pay back at a later time just without the interest.  The government should have thought hard about this stupid war and what it would do to our economy instead of spending so much on something that I feel is just a waste of our time.

Seriously, if the House of Reps: ways and means, would of passed the tax bill  that was set in NOVEMBER, we would of had our income tax checks on the way already, and we would of not been looking the other way for a free bee from our kids pockets. I need my money because my property taxes are being raised each month, and I have no other  way to pay them. After X-mas and the previous end of the year bills that all come in January, I'm stretched thin. Now I feel like I can finally get on welfare AND food stamps....j/k

I'll take all the tax relief I can get. Who can spend the money smarter - me or the government?

I think they're trying to distract us from the mess they've made of our economy so we don't start thinking about it too hard.  Our political leaders don't care about us, they just want to make sure they stay in power so they can continue to serve their corporate masters and help their rich buddies.  Disgusting.

If and when I do get any money, I'll give it to the homeless. Let them spend it on what they want.
No I'm not rich, or what they call the Boerne people (affluent), I think they need it more than the illegal aliens.

I love this idea! I too pay a lot of taxes (mid 5 figures!!) and my AGI is too high to qualify...but I do not have an issue with this. Since the dems did not allow the Bush tax cuts to remain permanent (like he wanted) I really felt it last year and will again this year. The rebate almost equates to a full rewind to '05 taxes for those families or individuals that meet the AGI thresholds. It's not pandering - it's a good move; it's been done before by other administrations (dem and rep), and it works - although not a permanent recession fix it does pump money back into circulation. Bush is a lame-duck prez - who would he pander too and to what ends? I am laughing MAO at the bridges falling down, get out of Iraq, big oil money shallow thinkers. Bridges have been falling down since the first caveman put a log across a creek, unfortunately war is good for the economy, and if people take a little time to investigate on their own they will see that big oil gross margins are like at 7%-8%. Any small businesses out there that can survive with that kind of gross margin? I doubt it. Take the money and don't look a gift-horse in mouth! At least the legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle are agreeing on SOMETHING positive! Perhaps this dialogue will lead to other more positive actions on other critical issues. Don't be so gloomy!!

Ok, they want to give some of our money back...cool! What I really have a problem with is they are going to GIVE people money who DO NOT pay taxes. Does this make sense..NOT! Rebate implies that you gave something to get something. Maybe they should think about giving it a new name.

well at least "POOLGUY" understands the program. I'll do what 90% of all who get a rebate will do... say I'll put it in savings, but will make a b-line to Best Buy/WalMart to spend it on something I don't need, but want.

PoolGuy, you want to talk about shallow thinking?  How about this:

The oil business, like almost all business, runs on credit.  They don't pay cash for that oil and bring it over here to turn into gasoline and then keep some small return.  That 7-8% you are talking about adds up to the greatest profit ever made by any industry since the beginning of time.  They are ruining us with their Arab partners.  The beneficiaries are the big oil companies, who aren't even Americans anymore, and their cohorts the Oil Sheiks.  They own this country and our economy.  War in general may be good for an economy, but spending a large portion of our wealth on a war is disasterous for our economy.  Eventually we benefitted from WWII but it almost ruined us along the way.  We won that war.  What do you expect we will get out of Iraq?  Bush is a lame duck as you say but once he is gone the same thugs that own him will own the next.  He is not doing the bidding of the Bush Republicans, he is doing the bidding of the owners of the Democrat/Republican party.  

Those criminals count on people like you to hold on to power.  You think you have a say?  Wake up.  It is the new world order out there.

MY HUSBAND HAS A GOOD JOB AND I DONT HAVE TO WORK NOW THAT OUR KIDS ARE RAISED SO BECAUSE I DONT WORK I DONT GET A REFUND JUST HIM , BUT THE PEOPLE WHO DIDNT WORK GETS ONE . HELP ME FIND THE JUSTICE IN THAT

Stacey,  Exactly!  The "Rebate" Check is not a true Rebate.  It's new name should be called exactly what it is, SOCIALISM!  

Janie, Yes, you are screwed as well by working as a Stay At Home Mom, where's your rebate check?  You work for the family while your husband works for the financial home matters and the family.  It's a team effort.  If you chose to work instead, you'd pay most of your paycheck on day care and taxes with little to show your effort for that paycheck.  

Me, I don't get a check, I make too much.  I still pay taxes, much more taxes, and without any vote in the change of our government, I am forced to give my money away to the Socialist tactic for the sake of the pitiful who sit back collecting money they never earned.  

The government wants to call this a rebate check for the stimilus of the economy?  How am I stimulated by paying socialist taxes?  How is the working mother stimulated by working harder than those who don't work, and getting nothing?  How is the non taxpayer stimulated by getting money they didn't earn?  Gee I wonder what they'll do with their money?  Certainly not invest into something worthwile.  If they've ever done that before, they wouldn't be where they are now.

Here's my vote.  Government, take the entire lot of money you plan to give away as this stimilus package (Socialism) and tell the nation where and when you plan to drop it from the sky in their local town.  Then, all the free money mungerers can fight each other for it in the streets while the rest of us sit at home safe knowing we don't need a socialist handout!

Wow Frank - cool - your so right man. It is the NEW WORLD ORDER. Man, I've been saying that for years dude. Down with the robber barons and rise up the great un-washed masses and take what is rightfully ours!!

Dude, Ive decided: I'm going to burn my rebate check at my local Exxon pump station in protest and spread the ashes in a Walmart parking lot. Cool.

Yes, I would love a check.  I could certainly use it for gas, food, and clothing for my children.  The gas prices are eating any extra income we might have had.  Send it, Send it, but send it soon and thank you.

The Romans calmed the mob with exhibitions, wild animals, gladiatorial encounters, games and shows of all kinds.  We are more into cash.

I wish I could get my check right now - I'd use it to pay part of the price for a huge TV to watch the game this week-end!

Who cares what the reason is (Socialism, bribery,etc.) I need the money. Send the check on down!!!!!!

Well my check will be around 300$ considering I am a childless working class girl.  I guess that can help cover the rising gas prices, my raised health insurance, ect.  But hey beggars can't be choosers right-or don’t' look a gift horse in the mouth?  Whatever they say-but you can't complain about money back in your pocket as small as it is.  I doubt my measly $200 will bring the economy back from the recession even if I do go blow it all (which I am sure I will) but I can say one thing about this well publicized "recession."  It's working out great for the young mid- income couple!  With the low interest rates and falling home prices we can finally afford to buy our first home!  Way to go lame economy!  Bye bye lousy landlord!

I'm going to hit a couple of points.
1. Bush hasn't been the best pres ever, but he's certainly not the worst.  He's being very firm with the fact we need to eliminate terrorism on THEIR turf, and not in our neighborhoods and cities.  The tax cuts he put in place are effective and should stay there.  He's doing what he feels is best with a poor situation... think about it, if you HAD to choose between two bad choices you'd do what you believed was best... and we don't always make the right choice.
2. Universal health care... man... all I'm gonna say on this is what sense would it make to initiate a plan that would COST 110 billion dollars when we're thinking about ways to SAVE money?  Doesn't make sense to me.
3. The war is going to take time... if we don't take the time to take care of the terrorists immediately responsible for the plan of world domination by the end of the century (and yes, the islamic extremists DO have a plan outlining that course of action) we're going to have to fight them in our backyards, playgrounds, and cities.  Yes, it sucks in present time, but wait and be patient until the enemy is practically non-existent and see how much better the world becomes from a significant lack of terrorist standpoint.  
4. "Refund" - I don't think the illegal immigrants should receive one, they need to take the same steps that hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of people (including my grandparents just over 100 years ago) took a long time ago and follow the proper steps to LEGALLY immigrate to the US.  I also believe if the people who do not have a job (as in WON'T get one for reasons other than being a housewife, I think that is a very difficult undertaking if you have children) should receive only a cut rate as opposed to housewives (legitimate) and those that work.  Jobs are all over, and it just takes a little work to get one.  If anything start at McDs and save your money until you can do something more... it takes time, but you CAN do it.  Anyway, that's all for my rant for now... I might post more later.  Everyone have a great day, drive SAFELY, don't talk on your cell while you drive, be courteous and kind.

Terry

Oh, the reason I say don't talk on your cell when you drive?  Studies have proven that someone talking on their cell (without a hands-free device) is as impaired as someone driving while intoxicated...  that might be why most people I've had to swerve to avoid having an accident with had a phone plastered to their ear.  Just a thought!

Terry

Because I am a disabled vet, I have the opportunity to receive $300.  I have declined that offer because it appears that the money has been "borrowed" [again] from China. I would decline it even if it truly came from Americas coffers.  We are [were] a Republic.  Not a democracy.  Remember....?  "...and to the REPUBLIC for which it stands[America].  One Nation INDIVISIBLE with Liberty and Justice for all". Ahhhh.....The dream has turned into a nightmare. If you think that Communism/ Socialism is dead......Ask your government how many billions of dollars China holds in T-Bills.  "Stimulus-Package?  I don't think so.  Instead of a Nation that was bent on "Getting the job done" [look at New Orleans] we are enmeshed in voyeuristic entertainment that has supplemented reality. We are encouraged to seek Law and turn our backs on Justice. Law and Justice are not one but two different concepts  that were, at one time..long ago...compatible.  Each Right we deny an accused is a Right we take from ourselves.  Law will have you believe that any "accused" is guilty by virtue of being "accused".  Justice says we must reserve our opinion until we have ALL the facts and the TRUTH [unembellished] is presented to a jury of peers to adjudicate.  Oh well...."Resistance is futile"....so our detractors..would have us believe.            

All of us need to stop assuming that the Government controls the economy.  "They" do not control the economy, we consumers do!  We vote with our dollars.  When we buy something, we are telling the producers of the world what is important to us.  For example, when we spend money to buy an x-rated movie, we are encouraging the producers to produce more x-rated movies; when we spend money to see family friendly movies, they producers will eventually get the idea (indeed, it looks like the tide is turning).  Economics 101.
Joe D. - Republic of Texas

Wow, I normally just run across junk and a bunch of mess in this industry, but this is a really good page with some informative info, keep it up.