Stimulus Rebate

[GreatOwl]

I have been reading about how we are suppose to spend this money on various consumer goods to boost the economy.  However, since the beginning of this impetus to bring back money the cost of fuel has risen almost a dollar a gallon.  Food prices have sky rocketed.  The cost of paying for those items essential for life have increased significantly.  I doubt anyone with a sense of fiscal responsibility will be spending on "extras" right now.

I have even run across several articles in the past month of debt collectors and their strategy for increasing pressure and calls on those who are behind on credit debt.  Even those who are now making the collections from India have been going to classes to inform and teach them about our rebate package and how to get people to use it to pay back debts.

http://tinyurl.com/4snyqu

It looks like President Bush and Congress has blown this one.    Now what do you suppose who do the most good for our economy??????



You don't suppose a simple thing like creating a ceiling on Oil Company profits would have an impact, do you??????

[Dihannah1]

Well, I guess I can thank the Feds, for paying my State taxes, that I cannot afford.  I'm in no position to assist the economy!  I just lost my job of 22 yrs!

[Dihannah1]

BTW GO,  I cheered the truckers who made the trekk to Washington and lined up the roads around the white house 10 miles or so long, in protest of gas/diesal prices today, as I watched it on the news!  They are doing it for us too, as gas is part of the reason consumer goods  prices are going so high, to ship them.  Unbelievable, they pay $1200 to fill up one of those semi's and most are independent! 

I like MCcains idea of eliminating federal taxes through the summer to ease prices.  Of course he's a presidential candidate, but it sounds good to me, regardless!  Politics is a two edged sword....

[GreatOwl]

BTW GO,  I cheered the truckers who made the trekk to Washington and lined up the roads around the white house 10 miles or so long, in protest of gas/diesal prices today, as I watched it on the news!  They are doing it for us too, as gas is part of the reason consumer goods  prices are going so high, to ship them.  Unbelievable, they pay $1200 to fill up one of those semi's and most are independent! 

I like MCcains idea of eliminating federal taxes through the summer to ease prices.  Of course he's a presidential candidate, but it sounds good to me, regardless!  Politics is a two edged sword....

McCains idea of eliminating taxes will only be good if it is implemented.  Certainly, nothing will happen this summer.  He has not proposed such a bill in congress as of this date.  Sounds great as a "sound bite," but that is all it is.  It will be long forgotten after the election.

Around here the truckers obviously could not get to Washington so they just pulled into the truck stops and parked for a day to join the protest.  It did bring media attention for a day, however, the only real impact it had was to cause goods and even services to be either delayed or increased in cost for the consumer. 

Until we do something about the Oil Company profit situation there will be no relief.  I didn't understand completely, but it also has to do with the gambling and speculation of how high prices will go.  It is also driving prices through the ceiling.

[Dihannah1]

BTW GO,  I cheered the truckers who made the trekk to Washington and lined up the roads around the white house 10 miles or so long, in protest of gas/diesal prices today, as I watched it on the news!  They are doing it for us too, as gas is part of the reason consumer goods  prices are going so high, to ship them.  Unbelievable, they pay $1200 to fill up one of those semi's and most are independent! 

I like MCcains idea of eliminating federal taxes through the summer to ease prices.  Of course he's a presidential candidate, but it sounds good to me, regardless!  Politics is a two edged sword....

McCains idea of eliminating taxes will only be good if it is implemented.  Certainly, nothing will happen this summer.  He has not proposed such a bill in congress as of this date.  Sounds great as a "sound bite," but that is all it is.  It will be long forgotten after the election.

Around here the truckers obviously could not get to Washington so they just pulled into the truck stops and parked for a day to join the protest.  It did bring media attention for a day, however, the only real impact it had was to cause goods and even services to be either delayed or increased in cost for the consumer. 

Until we do something about the Oil Company profit situation there will be no relief.  I didn't understand completely, but it also has to do with the gambling and speculation of how high prices will go.  It is also driving prices through the ceiling.

You are right.  And when I think of the oil companies,  I get so infuriated, my blood pressure rises.   Sad,  It's probably cheaper for me to continue to collect unemployment (even though, It's almost gone), rather than have to pay for gas to go to work.   But I'm not going into it now because it makes me so mad!   I don't believe the stimulus package is going to do much good anyways.  People aren't got to rush out shopping, but attempt to pay current late bills, etc....  But I 'spose it helps some for the short term.   

[pdh3]

IMHO, the stimulus package is just another ridiculous idea from the dim wattage in the White House. This Admin. has no concept of how the economy really works in this country, or what the middle class really needs to make things better. The middle class is what drives the economy, and they're the ones being squeezed from both sides now.
I support the truckers, but I don't think Bush gives a damn about any of us, and I think their effort was not taken seriously. Bush has no concept of how an average American lives, and he never has. High gas prices and war just make him and his cronies more wealthy. He's a puppet for Big Oil, and Big Business, and Americans should never have voted him in the first time. We just never learn, so he was re-elected, and he took that as a green light to drive the country into recession. And now, we're in serious trouble because we gave him a free hand.
And now we're in serious trouble because we don't have a candidate that any of us can feel good about.

[Dihannah1]

IMHO, the stimulus package is just another ridiculous idea from the dim wattage in the White House. This Admin. has no concept of how the economy really works in this country, or what the middle class really needs to make things better. The middle class is what drives the economy, and they're the ones being squeezed from both sides now.
I support the truckers, but I don't think Bush gives a damn about any of us, and I think their effort was not taken seriously. Bush has no concept of how an average American lives, and he never has. High gas prices and war just make him and his cronies more wealthy. He's a puppet for Big Oil, and Big Business, and Americans should never have voted him in the first time. We just never learn, so he was re-elected, and he took that as a green light to drive the country into recession. And now, we're in serious trouble because we gave him a free hand.
And now we're in serious trouble because we don't have a candidate that any of us can feel good about.

All the more reason to get it right this election!    Sadly, I'm one of those undecided, but one thing I know it will NOT be Obama!
I was disappointed in our lack of choice on both sides, then even more when most dropped out before coming to my state.

[mrs. red]

wanna tell me when we had the last stimulus package and which president enjoyed the benefits behind the jumping of a cooling economy?


Want to tell me the last president to have an energy policy that would end our dependence on foreign oil? 

Also doesn't anyone remember their high school civics?  CONGRESS not the President are the ones that create laws....

just tossing out some stuff to think about.

[Dihannah1]

Welcome back to the Political thread Mrs. Red!   Miss your input.  Please come back more often!

[LouiseVargas]

Can someone give me a ballpark estimate of how much money the government is giving? Thanks.

[MsVada]

depending on your circumstances,  it will be 300 or 600 dollars

We just got ours Friday and it was 1200 for hubby and me.

[mrs. red]

I know that I could certainly use ours!



So no one wanted to answer my questions for thought???

[GreatOwl]

I know that I could certainly use ours!


So no one wanted to answer my questions for thought???

Our rebate will immediately go to savings to pay for property taxes at the end of the year.  They are due to increase because the cost of maintaining services has taken a hit due to high fuel costs.  So in affect the government has already spent our rebate.

As to the Rebate/Stimulus package question, I am sure you will enlighten us?     I do remember the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2001.  It had mild success and it was estimated that between 25 - 40 % of those who received money spent it on durable goods.   The remainder either saved the money or paid off past debts.  Prior to that President Ford signed a rebate bill into law in 1975.  That had a much lessor affect in that only about 25% of those receiving money went out and spent it.  It is estimated that this year only a small % will spend money on "new" goods.  We will have to wait a year or so to know the true results.

I know that most states have had various rebate acts signed into law.  I have no idea as to the affect each one had because I really have no way of tracking those.  I know the ones here in Wisconsin generated mixed results only to have subsequent fiscal years end up in shortfalls of State Budgets.

My experience tells me that those who are most likely to spend the money are people who already receive other government subsidies of some sort.  Many are very poor when it comes to fiscal planning and are constantly in debt.  This is not true of everyone, but I tend to work with and come in contact with an entirely different population than the average person.

I remember very well who makes the laws.  I am also aware of the influence of the lobbies and also the Presidential Veto or the threat of one.  None of these elements work in the favor of the average citizen.

Just some comments in addition.  I would love to see fuel costs added as a part of the determining factors in establishing our National Cost of Living.  Until that happens an average citizen will never be able to keep up with the rising costs.  As long as we have annual increases in heating/cooling fuel and gasoline which range from 25-50%, we will never make it on our meager 0 to 3.2% raises.

This is a policy decision.  I am not even sure it would require a law enactment to change it.  I honestly do not know.

I have been aware of the dire need to control the credit card and loan store business for the past few years.  Things have gotten way out of control.  Most states had laws limiting the top amount that could be charged in the way of interest.  Now there is no control.  For a while, it was only a jump to 30 to 50% interest.  I watched a local program last evening and there is a payday loan company out there right now charging in excess of 1000% APR.  If you do not think this affects you as an average consumer then you had better do some research on what affect this has on the cost of the commodities you buy.

May all of you have a great day.    Especially you Mrs. Red.!!!!

[A's Fever]

Great Owl, is that the index that Social Security cost of living raises are based on? It's shocking that energy costs are not included.  Are medical costs included?  Thanks.

[GreatOwl]

Great Owl, is that the index that Social Security cost of living raises are based on? It's shocking that energy costs are not included.  Are medical costs included?  Thanks.

No medical expenses are not part of the formula which determines cost of living.  I have not been able to track down the exact commodities which are used so far.  I did hear a talk last week that indicated that a package of cigarettes was one of the items.  There has to be a list some where online, but I have not found it yet.

[mrs. red]

so the answers.... Bush 1 gave us the stimulus package that Clinton got the credit for -and Clinton had a republican congress...

Nixon was the last president with an energy policy

and my final thought... the last time we had only dems running the country was in 1976 - 1980

interest rates at 22%; unemployment 12%, and gas lines on odd even days
just wear your sweater... 
 be really damn careful who you vote for, know your candidate

[Kermit]

I have been reading about how we are suppose to spend this money on various consumer goods to boost the economy.  However, since the beginning of this impetus to bring back money the cost of fuel has risen almost a dollar a gallon.  Food prices have sky rocketed.  The cost of paying for those items essential for life have increased significantly.  I doubt anyone with a sense of fiscal responsibility will be spending on "extras" right now.

I have even run across several articles in the past month of debt collectors and their strategy for increasing pressure and calls on those who are behind on credit debt.  Even those who are now making the collections from India have been going to classes to inform and teach them about our rebate package and how to get people to use it to pay back debts.

http://tinyurl.com/4snyqu

It looks like President Bush and Congress has blown this one.    Now what do you suppose who do the most good for our economy??????



You don't suppose a simple thing like creating a ceiling on Oil Company profits would have an impact, do you??????

I wonder why American's do not boycott gasoline for a day or something to show their outrage!

I'm tellin' ya we are spoon fed.

[LouiseVargas]

Dear mrs,red,

I can't remember when we had the last stimulus package and which president enjoyed the benefits behind the jumping of a cooling economy.

I don't know who was  the last president to have an energy policy that would end our dependence on foreign oil.   

I DO remember high school civics. There are three branches of government for "checks and balances" so that no branch has total control of the government.
1) Executive
2) Judicial
3) Congress

But it seems the Executive branch has control of everything.

Thank you for tossing out things to think about it.

[LouiseVargas]

I, too, am upset about the price of gasoline. One really needs a car in Los Angeles. Gas here has crossed the $4.00 line, It costs me $53 to fill up the tank of my 2002 Honda Accord Coupe. I need gas so I have to buy it at any cost. I try to combine my errands and such.

Some people know how to get around by riding the bus, the Dash, and the Red Line which is an underground/subway. I would never ride the Red Line. A subway in Los Angeles is the craziest thing I've ever heard. Wait for the next earthquake. 

[mrs. red]

Dear mrs,red,

I can't remember when we had the last stimulus package and which president enjoyed the benefits behind the jumping of a cooling economy.

I don't know who was  the last president to have an energy policy that would end our dependence on foreign oil.   

I DO remember high school civics. There are three branches of government for "checks and balances" so that no branch has total control of the government.
1) Executive
2) Judicial
3) Congress

But it seems the Executive branch has control of everything.

Thank you for tossing out things to think about it.

Hi LV, I answered them in a few posts up