Comments on: Poll: Will an Economic Stimulus Package Help the Markets/Economy?

By: martha alle

martha alle — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:53:23 +0000

Democrats need to get over their fears and egos and support Obama and the Republicans need to know that they will be voted out if they continue to be obstructive and think trickle down still works..that is what got us into this mess.

By: 17 Economists on recessions, stimulation plans, and what they might mean to you | On Financial Success

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:29:53 +0000

[...] bloggers are using polls to gauge readers’ opinions, no matter how crazy the opinions are. One of Joseph Sangel’s readers actually accused him of [...]

By: Tax Rebates, Economic Stimulus, and Recession - Personal Finance Review » Money Smart Life

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:30:30 +0000

[...] -Suns Financial Diary asks What’s Your Top Concern in Case of a Recession? and Generation X Finance wants your thoughts on whether an Economic Stimulus Package Will Help the Markets/Economy? [...]

By: Lnr Efn.

Lnr Efn. — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:52:13 +0000

This country is toeing the line of communism. Common sense tells us there is nothing like “free-money”. And intervention by giving the citizenry free-money will only leave the country in more debts. And exactly what the elite bankers of this nation wants. A country indebted to them !

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 19:29:58 +0000

For stimulus to help, it needs to be immediate.
I would prefer policy try to free the American Serf….the 40% of the population in debt for health insurance and education. Other rich democracies PROVIDE this with taxes so the individual has after tax income sufficient to own a home. If the government paid for education completely, trade school and college, and let the Ivy’s and privates pay for scholarships to these “elite” schools, the middle class would actually see some real help.

Likewise, if the “policy” makers were not all millionaires, they would see that giving the entire US citizenry the same health insurance plan the congress gets is in place, immediately could be scaled up, and would rapidly generate savings that were “real” to the population.

Instead they are going to diddle with their self- inflicted tax code that keeps the accountants employed and gives them their favorite tax breaks, but leaves the 40% of the American population without help since they make so little they don’t pay tax anyway.

What we are seeing is the way the neocons have turned the United States into the “New Brazil.”
Huge income inequality a worthless dollar and NO EXIT.

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:34:50 +0000

The government wants to give us rebates to encourage spending? Spending is what got us in this mess in the first place. What is $800 dollars going to do in the long run? Maybe pay off a credit card bill or two, maybe a payment or two on your car. But what happens 3, 4, 5, 6 months from now when we are back in this situation? Are they going to issue another rebate? IF the government wants to do anything they should lower or eliminate corporate taxes to help stimulate growth in the corporate sector which may provide more jobs and or provide cash flow for corporations so they dont have to BORROW much from banks. A tax cut on the corporate level may also bring TRUE manufacturing BACK into the U.S. which will provide more jobs.

By: eFIPO.com » Was It Really Worth It?

eFIPO.com » Was It Really Worth It? — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:55:53 +0000

[...] type of package do you think the federal government should implement without stubbing the toe of the American economy? I really haven’t seen anything that jumps out [...]

By: Heidi

Heidi — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:21:16 +0000

The government can’t fix this mess by handing out rebates or cutting interest rates – people aren’t going to spend – we’re in a recession.

Since banks are tightening credit, it’s going to be difficult for those in dire straits to be able to borrow and spend (ie: put it on plastic or use their homes as a piggy bank). Only those with sterling credit (and large corporations) will be able to take advantage of rate benefits.

And how do hand-outs create jobs? People in the rust belt or the home manufacturing industry that have been displaced from their jobs need work, not a check for a couple hundred bucks. The government should help these people meet their basic needs (food, shelter) as well as find them sustainable employment.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:36:23 +0000

The problem is that we are always trying to fight natural market forces with short-term remedies, which just artificially inflates the state of the economy. The goal should be through long-term policy changes so that the market can gradually correct itself.

Putting free money into the hands of people is about worthless. For one, smart people (while I think that is the minority) will simply save the money or apply it towards something that doesn’t constitute consumer spending. And on the other hand, people who do get the free money and go spend it probably aren’t in a position to be buying frivolous things. The government is basically encouraging people to spend money on things they don’t need, which is largely responsible for the mess we’re in to begin with.

Working Dollar mentioned it, but the market goes through cycles. We have gone through the same type of cycles for as long as the economy itself. You can’t have an economy that always goes up or always grows, especially when it grows out of control due to various bubble effects. Trying to negate these market forces will ultimately do more harm than good.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:45:18 +0000

Easy money is what creates bubbles, it doesn’t ease the popping. Rebates were included in the 2001 Bush Tax Cuts and studies showed only about 25% of the money was used for consumer spending, most went to paying off debts or savings. Of course this is good for consumers, but doesn’t stimulate spending, which is their intent.