Make Real Change with the Economic Stimulus Package

Email Print posted by rev24 02/17/2008 05:55:28 PM EST

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If you’ve been listening to the show of recent, you’ve heard Cenk complain about the Economic Stimulus Package.  Obviously he isn’t the only one who realizes that this plan isn't going to do jackolla to help our economy in the long run, however, I would like to offer up an idea that would actually make some real change utilizing the tax rebate side of the package. 

Everyone knows most Americans are in debt, though it doesn’t take rocket science to know that the bulk of American’s $600/$1200 rebate check won’t be used to pay down debt.  I think I remember hearing Cenk say what a great idea it would be if Americans saved their money for once.  Not a bad idea, however, as Hale Stewart from http://bonddad.blogspot.com alluded to on Friday’s show, there really isn’t much we can do to stop this financial downturn that we are in without having the “financial institutions take a hit."

So to wrap this up real quick, I don’t think people should feel obligated to go out and spend their rebate checks to stimulate the economy. If you really care about the economy, you would realize a short spike in spending isn’t going to do much help with the exception of making Bush look a little better on his way out of office.  Sure you could put that money towards your credit cards or save it, but really, is this going to make a dent?  Don’t get me wrong, you should definitely be saving your money/paying down debt and be planning on retirement/job loss, but you should of started that awhile ago and if you haven’t, it can wait a little longer. 

My solution is that you donate the extra money to a progressive cause that you’re passionate about.  If you’re hurting at all on the financial front, just think how hard some groups have it that are trying to run a progressive business/organization with the state that the economy is in.  So last week I donated my money to the group that I thought was doing their best to bring about change and no it wasn’t Obama (I’ve spent enough on campaigns for now).  Like many of you, I feel that we are at a crucial time in our country and I don’t know how much longer we/our economy can take with another Republican Administration.
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Poll

What will you be doing with the bulk of your tax rebate?
Donation 40%
Credit Cards/Bills 20%
House Payment 0%
Savings/Investment 20%
Shopping 0%
Other 20%

Votes: 5
Results | Other Polls
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Make Real Change with the Economic Stimulus Package | 5 comments (5 topical, 0 hidden)
People can use a chunk of tha check (none / 0)
to sign up for a TYT membership.  If they already have, they can consider a donation and or giving someone a gift membership to help keep them informed and engaged in politics right up to the election and beyond.

Tell the gift recipient that they'll be ahead of the game at the watercooler wars RE: politics and the election because they listen to TYT.  That alone can turn the average uninformed chump into a well informed champ in a matter of weeks.

The number one problem we have (speaking generically) is an uninformed, misinformed and apathetic public.  Shows like TYT can help address all three if the word continues to spread.

by ihavenobias on 02/17/2008 06:06:33 PM EST

I forgot to add (none / 0)
That in addition to donating to progressive organizations/shows, you can also donate to progressive representatives, like this guy who makes too much God damn sense in this clip for other politicians to handle.

by ihavenobias on 02/17/2008 06:10:29 PM EST

[ Parent ]
How about multiple choice? (none / 0)

Sure, I'll donate some of it to a progressive cause.  However, I really wish that I wasn't receiving a cent of that wasted $150 billion.  It's a stupid package that does nothing but give our debt-addicted society a temporary fix.  And ev eryone knows that we'll go into withdrawl again right after it wears off.  And what's worse, we won't even get a nice high off of it.

I really wish those idiots in Washington would read a history book once in a while.  FDR showed us how to deal with this situation with real investments in America, and no one has come up with more effective ideas since.  Every Republican President since FDR has weakened our country by disinvesting in the United States (and I'm not very happy with Clinton on that score, either.  He had a big wave that he could have ridden all the way up to the beach, but he dumped his board offshore).

By the way: folks who suggest that saving the money is a good idea haven't looked at interest rates lately.  They're in the toilet, and saving is NOT the best thing to do with your money.  Almost any other kind of investment would  be much better for the long-term tha n a traditional savings account.  The problem with that is that you have to leave your money where you put it for the long term.  (Our short-term focus is another part of what got us in this mess.)

by Juarez Traveller on 02/18/2008 12:55:57 PM EST

I can make change with the stimulus package (none / 0)
$600 worth, in fact.

by jarett on 02/18/2008 01:24:54 PM EST

good one! (none / 0)
I can be very slow with the jokes at times...

by rev24 on 02/18/2008 04:51:23 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Make Real Change with the Economic Stimulus Package | 5 comments (5 topical, 0 hidden)
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