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| A Real Stimulus Package! Feb. 1, 2008 Government officials at all levels are enthusiastic about their latest economic stimulus to stop our economy from dumping so deep that it is called a depression. They, in their great wisdom have determined that giving a $600 rebate to everyone who files a tax return - even if they didn’t have any money coming back - is a great way to boost the economy. This is identical to George W. Bush’s program at the start of his administration - then he ordered everyone to get a $300 rebate. But the problems this time will be the same as the last . Two things can happen: People will use the money to shop (buy foreign products, sending the dollar out of the county and our balance of payments to China and other countries will expand) ; Pay off some credit card debt and put more money into the hands of the bankers to try and find a way to loan it out - and our dollar will be further devalued. Seven years ago this newspaper suggested a way to get that money boost into the economy without destroying it. Simply give the money to each city government with the conditions that it can only be used to buy items for city use that have been manufactured in the United States. Cities could buy computers, office equipment, fire trucks, police cars, maintenance equipment, and the myriad of other things on which cities spend so much money. And everything has to be made in the U.S.! This would get the money into the economy and stimulate U.S. manufacturing - creating jobs for Americans in America! There could even be another provision or string attached to the money: Companies that move their manufacturing or service divisions out of the country will be penalized with a special tax on any profits they make from the stimulus package - or give the ones who stay in America a bonus. Salesmen will be back on the road trying to sell their products to the various city governments; restaurants will be frequented; hotels will be occupied; cars will be rented; perk tickets to various events will be purchased; tips will be paid to waiters and waitresses; factories will have to hire people to produce the products being sold - the economy booms! Just handing it back to the people, directly, will only result in more dollars being shipped out of the country as the people buy cheaper, foreign-made products! Feb. 5th Could Be The Day! | Feb. 1, 2008 If you aren’t registered to vote, you can forget about reading this! There are going to be some people selected to possibly be the next President of the United States - some are great, some are good and some are the anti-thesis of the liberty and justice! Primary elections in which the people can flex some muscle and help to choose the right person for the job is Tuesday, February 5th. Those of you who are still not sure about which candidate is most in accord with your thinking and beliefs should go to a web page called the Electoral Compass - you can find it at electoral compass.com and you will be asked several questions about national issues facing the next president. The website will then generate a comparison between your answers and those given by the presidential contenders - and show you where you stand with each of the candidates. If you prefer you can go to TheBeatAZ.com and click on the link a the top of the page - it will take you directly to the questionnaire. Do this and then vote! |