Economic stimulus

It looks like Bush's economy-saving idea will pass, and that most families will receive a wad of money from the federal government. This is supposed to revitalize the economy because we will spend, spend, spend it on stuff. This spending will give millions of dollars to business, which will, in turn, encourage businesses to hire people, thus giving them more money to spend, etc., etc.

I have already imagined several ways to spend this money. I could put it into savings. I could make an extra car payment (or a few), or an extra mortgage payment. Buy a flat-screen TV I will not. Sorry, President Bush (and those who signed this law with you), I do not plan to hit the mall when the check lands in my mailbox.

Right now, my husband and I have a little money saved. That's a huge improvement on the rest of the American population. Still, I don't feel that it's enough. If one of us were to fall catastophically ill, for instance, or if Mark were to lose his job, or if our car died and we needed to buy a new one, we'd be in big trouble.

And, unlike the government, we can't just borrow money from China if we decide that we need it. We choose not to keep a budget the way the government does--we like the idea of a household surplus.

So, President Bush, I'm sorry if putting the money in a savings account or paying for purchases already made doesn't fit with your idea of stimulating the domestic economy. We'll stimulate our real domestic economy first.