Economic Politics

It is too late for an economic stimulus in the form of a tax rebate. That is like handing a seatbelt to a guy who has already been in an accident. The economy is already in a recession. The best thing we can do is wait it out, and let market forces do their thing. I believe the stock market is in the process of crashing, and that it will be AT LEAST AS BAD as the 2000-2002 drop. I agree with the overly-simplified view explained in this article:

http://www.midlifebachelor.com/articles/dowwillfallto9096-1.html

I would also add that the more government intervention that occurs now, the worse off we will ultimately be. Let the markets correct themselves!

both parties are screwed up right now and that's why I go to de independens.The handout of a few worthless dollars( about 64 euro cent right now) won't make this country going.They blew it a long time ago.This countries economy is run in the ground and that is what Bush is going to hand over to the next president ,thank you.By that time we are in a secession no doubt about it.Right now all the candidates are telling you how they would turn things around but that will not happen folks,remember the globalization and all the work that has been send overseas,China,India,ec,ec Just take a look at Boeing 90% of the parts and componens are made in other coutries,only the assembly of the aircraft is done in Seattle .The automobile makers going the same way India and China and a few others building cars for $3000. how can they all do this, wel the labor cost is 5 or 10 bucks a day, so no way we getting this work back ,we have to lower our standard of living,work for lower wages like $4 hr,start building homes for $24.000 dollar, food prices have to come down enz, if this does not going to happen this country is gone,and the middelclass is wiped out does not sound so good for our future.

Instead of the economy needing "a shot in the arm", what dumbo Bush needs is a kick in his Butt.

If Republicans and Democrats have both agreed on something, I fear that the common man is going to get Scr*wed big time. They have lied to us so many times, and now they gang up together to Scr*w us. A recession (or major downturn), call it what you will is imminent and only the dumbo Boy George in the White House cannot see it. Or maybe he sees it coming, but pretends not to. Either way, we are doomed. Pray hard.

Rebate? What rebate, my family and is still waiting for the so called rebate check from 2003. What can the American tax payer do with $600. Get a hand job at the bunny ranch or pay two weeks worth of rent.? What a joke it is in the world that American has become a welfare state. Every company George Bush ran before 2000 went bankrupted under his leadership. Our country under the Bush leader ship is no different than the corporations he ran into the ground. As Americans we should take these worthless rebate dollars and buy the mexican peso.

When both parties agree on any thing it spells danger for us the taxpayers. Wall Street robbers have raped pillaged, and plundered everything they could, and now because the preposterous fractional reserve banking system is about to meet the end that all previous such systems have, They want to walk away and let honest working tax-payer to bail them out. Remember last year when three fund managers boasted of paying themselves a salary of over one BILLION dollars? Where do you suppose that fiat money came from. It's time not for another pointless election, but as Thomas Jefferson suggested; It's time for an American Revolution.

Simple Both Parties of Senators, Congressperson and President are screwed up the financial in 8 year. They had been ignored our concern at all period.

For 8 years Bush has been running the country into the ground. . . What the hell does he think he's going to do now? He has a better chance of getting peace in the Middle East.

Mr Bush ran our economy into the ground for 8 years. What the hell does he think he can do now? There is a better chance for peace in the Middle East..

The government is handing out money, the Fed are cutting rates, and we are in a prolonged 6+ year costly war (weither it is just or not.) Where is all the money comming from? This is only setting us up for an even larger national debt and even worse inflation! The government should keep the money, better yet never print the money, so what cash we do have will have a chance of keeping its value.

The fed is going to lower rates.. The government is going to give everyone some money... and we are in a (just or not) very costly 6 year war. Where is all of the money comming from? These are all just setting us up for huge national debt and even worse inflation! The government should keep the money, better yet not print the money, so what cash we do have can have a chance of holding its current value.

Mr. Samuelson,
As an economist how about commenting on the economic validity of this stimulus package. Is this Keynesian economic theory being advanced here by Bush? Would Keynes approve? Is our economy fundamentally sound as Bush insists? Is deficit spending a cure, or is that the cause of the disease?

they just don't get it. this is really pathetic. we don't need a bandaid. this is a systemic problem. the fact that our government thinks that a gesture like this is going to fix the economy is completely ridiculous. an extra $800 isn't going to solve the problem of blue collar unemployment. can't we have a government that appears to have at least something going on upstairs for once?