Well, I'm gonna be brave and stick my head into a political thread (which basically black-balled me in another forum).
I think the best thing they can do with the Stimulus is take it to the paper shredder. Most think that immediate money in their pocket = good plan. I understand that bills need to be paid and such, but I don't think people don't think about the future much and plan their spendings accordingly. As was said already $581 really is chump change if you think about the long run. It helps now, but it won't help later. I'm seeing an extra $19 in my pay check these days, but it doesn't help me. That money gets taxed later, and I'll end up making less in the course of the year because of the higher tax.
The main reason the Bush administration passed a plan for the auto bailout is because with the Obama administration coming in, it would have gotten done anyways, but at least Bush would make the terms more reasonable for us. The bailout was a big mistake in every regard, we shouldn't be helping businesses unless our name is a part of the ownership, which it's not. The people lose in this deal all the way around.
I agree that the media constantly telling us we're in recession just makes people panic more. The economy is certainly a psychological, constantly giving people negative information will only make the people react negatively. I avoid the media all together, I take good care of my investments and I'm always well aware of where my money is and how it's being spent. If people didn't worry so much about having material things, they wouldn't be in a crisis. Simple theory, don't spend more money than you have unless it's a long-term investment. Getting rid of the media would make things in this country run a lot smoother, too bad the 1st Amendment forces it to stay.
Anyways, that's my 2 cents and my rant.
I think the best thing they can do with the Stimulus is take it to the paper shredder. Most think that immediate money in their pocket = good plan. I understand that bills need to be paid and such, but I don't think people don't think about the future much and plan their spendings accordingly. As was said already $581 really is chump change if you think about the long run. It helps now, but it won't help later. I'm seeing an extra $19 in my pay check these days, but it doesn't help me. That money gets taxed later, and I'll end up making less in the course of the year because of the higher tax.
The main reason the Bush administration passed a plan for the auto bailout is because with the Obama administration coming in, it would have gotten done anyways, but at least Bush would make the terms more reasonable for us. The bailout was a big mistake in every regard, we shouldn't be helping businesses unless our name is a part of the ownership, which it's not. The people lose in this deal all the way around.
I agree that the media constantly telling us we're in recession just makes people panic more. The economy is certainly a psychological, constantly giving people negative information will only make the people react negatively. I avoid the media all together, I take good care of my investments and I'm always well aware of where my money is and how it's being spent. If people didn't worry so much about having material things, they wouldn't be in a crisis. Simple theory, don't spend more money than you have unless it's a long-term investment. Getting rid of the media would make things in this country run a lot smoother, too bad the 1st Amendment forces it to stay.
Anyways, that's my 2 cents and my rant.