[GraniteStateConservative]

We're talking short-term stimulus. Investment is long-term. We sent out $600 checks Summer 2001 and just over 20% spent the checks, but the checks only went to people who paid enough taxes (otherwise they got less than that or nothing at all). People who get welfare checks don't save or invest those checks. They spend all of them. There wasn't a jolt in spending because the checks weren't sent to people who would head out to Wal-Mart and boost their sales. The money in 2001 went to people who would stimulate the economy longterm.

[HungarianGypsy]

The sad thing about this thread is that so many on hear write as though they believe that anyone considered wirking poor is just going to waste money or is already on welfare.

Last year my family went from a middle class income of about $1000/week to my husband being unemployed for four months. (because of a back injury) We still had to pay taxes from the year before. This year the refund we got was applied to our 2001 taxes.

So for last year (as far as income) my family would fall into this working poor class. Now, I am not expecting a rebate, just like we didn't get one for 2001. But if we do, should we use it to catch up on our needs or just send it back, so all of you will be happy and not look down on us?