President Bush announced the first of the rebate checks will be mailed out this week. This is part of the "stimulus package" asked for by Bush and enlarged a certain extent by Congress.
The idea is for people to spend the rebate checks to purchase goods in order to stimulate the economy. Is that what the people actually plan to do? I think the average American who receives these checks should give thought as what is best for them. Maybe it would be best to pay off debt or just add to their savings. Some of the things I think need to be taking into consideration are:
A.) Is the stimulus package the right answer to the economic problems?
B.) Will your job be the next one lost? The economy has lost jobs the first three months this year.
C.) Does the Bush administration have a good track record in dealing with the economy and creating new
jobs?
D.) Will you be better off by using the rebate to purchase goods?.
E.) Do you anticipate any raises in the near future or any additional expenses?
The list can go on and on, but one can understand what is going on here. The Wall Street Journal reported in 2000, (Clinton's administration) median yearly household income adjusted for inflation was $49,447.00 By 2006 (Bush's administration) that same income fell to $48,223.00.
From 2002 to 2006 (Bush's administration), the income of the top 1% grew at an annual rate of 11% while the incomes of the remaining 99% grew at less than 1% annually during those years. Those numbers should give people who receive rebate checks reason to pause and make sure they make the right decision. The average American should understand the Republicans are no friend to the middle class when it comes to the economy, creating jobs, raising wages, and having a real economic policy to sustain the economy.
The facts prove that Republicans are masters of creating debt, deficit spending, trickle down economics that favor the wealthy, and reckless behavior in using our country's resources and finances. The are a pitiful lot who still use the worn out phrase, "democrats will raise your taxes." Who ever falls for that line without checking the facts on how Republicans are getting into their pockets deserve what they get.
