With 1.6 trillion dollars in defaults we have seen the start of interesting times.

We can't blame Bush or the republican majority that held power while this perfect economic strom grew. It's democrats that need 66 votes to override a veto or 60 votes to end a filibuster by republicans.

Conservatives failure to support our troops by paying for the war rised our nation's debt to new highs. Conservatives are blameless as new born chilren.

It's liberals who sold loan made without checking incomes and using forged documents.

This is a liberal conspiracy to make Bush look bad. If you watched Fox News you would know the war is going so well the Iraqi government want us to withdraw.

I disagree with your perception of the economic-stimulus plan.

There is actually sound economic reasoning behind it. The theory is that by putting money in everybody's pockets they will be motivated to make purchases, which, in turn, will put money in the pockets of businesses, which will create jobs for everybody, which puts money back in everybody's pockets, and the cycle continues. Hence the term "stimulus".

If it works it could actually provide a much needed spark to the economy and help pull us out of this slump.

That being said, I am against the payments on the principle that spending money we don't have is ultimately never a good idea. But that doesn't mean there was any ulterior motive to the plan. Sometimes politicians actually try to solve problems, even if part of their motivation is to save their own behinds.

If the plan works, and the economy is helped back on its feet, what should we care if that helps Bush and the Republicans? Don't we want a healthy economy?

Not everything is some underhanded political trick.

Congress passed the stimulus package - last time I checked both chambers are run by Dems. The President didn't even have a vote in the matter. Didn't the Dems actually up the amount each person would receive? And now they want to send another stimulus check. Wow, President Bush has a ton of power if even the Dems are under his control.
Blame Bush for everything. The unfortunate thing is that this strategy has worked.

Stimulus plan from Bush didn't buy my vote it just verified my thoughts of his trying to buy loyalty and votes - did spend the money though

Wow Kim!

Your just another left wing liberal nut case. I am strictly an independent who voted for Clinton in 92 and 96 but Bush in 2000 and 2004 and I for one am grateful for the stimulus check, and it did not buy my vote. If I had a choice I would like Romney/Lieberman ticket. So stick your theory in the trash where it belongs!

Since when have politicians *not* used legislation to buy votes?
Not sure why this is surprising to anyone....

If doing what is right for the economy, for our homes, lives, well being etc. is considered 'vote buying' then our government will never get anything right in the legislative process. Sounds like the Republicans beat the Democrat as their own game, agin.

The economy tanked on Dubya's watch, such that a stimulus package was necessary. Stimulus produces response, and I shall respond by voting Obama.

@ Loyal Concervative: That'sthe most arrogant comment I've ever seen. Wake up and see reality for what it is. By you listening to FOX News tells me just how ignorant you are.

@What?: Need I remind you that Bush PUSHED for an stimulus package? Yes, he can be blamed. In fact, economists blame both Bush and Congress for failure to act earlier.

I'm a life-long republican, but I was disgusted with the stimulus package idea. In fact, I'm disgusted with about anything Washington these days.

It scares me that our economy is only healthy if all citizens are up to their eye-balls in debt and spending as fast as they can bring money in. It's a bad paradigm, but, unfortunately, that's where we are today. You can't blame repubs or dems for it. We can blame ourselves for not being more disciplined and realistic about what we can and can't afford.

The fact that the government (both repubs and dems) will borrow more money we don't have to finance the stimulus package is kind of like borrowing more money to pay off credit card debt...a really bad idea. But it is only a reflection on a larger scale of how society handles things. When we are more disciplined ourselves, then we will know to expect the same from our government.

DBG,

It's called "sarcasm". Look it up. There's also a thing you can get called a "sense of humor."

The writer is misinformed or ignorant, his reasoning is unmitigated claptrap

With uniformed voters like Kim out in our country, we are the ones to blame.

The Democrats did the stimulus package, and yes they did up the amount that Pres. Bush had encouraged. Both were party to the package.

Let's think for a moment though...if the economy is going south and both parties think more money in my pocket is a good thing for the economy, why pray tell us all is Obama promising to raise taxes if he becomes POTUS? To the tune of almost 50%!

To Sarcasm....most of us with a sense of humor got the sarcasm....if you've ever read DBG, you will know that DBG will never get it...

Keep in mind that "Bush's" stimulus package passed by majorities of more than 300 to 30 in the House and 80 to 16 in the Senate.

It was a bipartisan bill, in other words. You can't make partisan hay out of it, no matter how pathetic an idea it was.

The government's stimulus package was meant to help people pay for the gasoline that was becoming more expensive. The price keep going up and the oil companies needed help to keep their profits at all-time highs. What better idea than to give people more money so that they could keep paying for their gas.

Unfortunately, the "tax holiday" proposal by John McCain and seconded by Hillary Clinton didn't receive more support since it surely would have expanded the short-term bottom-line for the gasoline producers. The loss of those millions of dollars became a slight blip on the exponential growth in profits gained at the American citizens expense. This in turn reduced the value in the compensation for oil company executives. Instead of being able to buy that new upgrade for their yacht, they may have to wait until next year after gasoline hits $8 a gallon.

Bush: The ultimate socialist.
Why didn't those neoCONS return their purely socialistic checks to the government to show us all how much they hate socialism?

I've heard rumblings that the demos are looking for additional stimuli for the economy. One big problem with economic stimulus packages generally proposed by demos is the additional money goes into additional government spending. If we are going to have a stimulus package, I'd much rather the money be put (back, since it was ours in the first place) into the pockects of American taxpayers rather than dumped into some bureaucratic hole.

This loyal conservative is glad to be part of returning morality to Washington. Jack Abramoff, Karl Rove and sitting with a wide stance have been defining points for our strong conservative values.

It great to have a president with a command of the English Language equal to Lincoln, Washington or Jefferson.

Sure, over seventy percent of Americans see Bush as a looser. Hannity is right, Bush will be the greatest leader in the history of America. God bless America, my fellow Americans. George Bush was god's hand at work to restore greatest to America. Once Bush was a drunk. Today Bush is our national and spiritual leader.

Bush went from dropping out of the National Guard to being Commander and Chief. Only divine intervention could have accomplished such a miracle.

To you Bush bashers: the day of judgment nears. Drop to you knees and repent. Thank the good lord for Bush's presidency.

Dear ETBass...Let me make it really clear to you regarding the stimulus check - It's my money. It's not yours, it's not the governments, it's no one else's money but mine.

The government returned to me what I should have never had taken from me.

Can it get any clearer than that?

In the morning, by keeping the sun to your right you are walking south. You cross a river: the Potomac, then you are in Alexandria, Virgina.

I hope this helps you.

Always blame Bush. The Chicago Fire was his fault.
Anything which has went wrong is his fault.

A Democrat Party controlled Congress passes legislation to spend and its Bush's fault.

What are y'all going to do when you don't have George W. Bush to kick around anymore?

Ernest -- Explain to me how the government refunding some of the taxes it collects constitutes "socialism" (government ownership and operation of the means of economic production).

There is an awful lot of slippery language that gets tossed around by you guys.

Will they cash my check at the liqour store?

The stimulus checks were only paid to the middle class and poor. If you made over $174K as a couple you didn't get a check.
If trickle down works so well, why didn't the rich get a check too???
All of Bush tax cuts prior to this one were passed with Repubs in total control, and the lion's share went to the richest in the country. Why then is our economy in such terrible shape??? I thought tax cuts for the rich benefitted us all???

The sad reality is the stimulus checks were the only good tax policy passed in the last 8 years, and they would never had been necessary at all if The entire Bush tax cuts were structured the same way.

And before people start ranting about equality of the tax system, please do 2 things:
1) research the percentage that the rich have paid in taxes over the last 80 plus years, you will find that they are paying the smallest amount they ever paid right now. In fact 80 years ago the poor and middle class paid NO TAXES.
2) Ask why our richest citizens say our tax structure should require them to pay more.

If it's YOUR money, why does anyone who file a tax return get a check, no matter if they actually paid taxes or not?
It's pure socialism.
Finally, explain why this is okay, when it only increased the massive deficit even more!

Well Ernest T. Bass, it's okay because it is my money. I paid the taxes so yes, it is my money. And if you want the deficit to be reduced then let's cut out all of your socialistic programs. All of them. The government is not Robin Hood, right?

No more generational welfare. No more welfare for habitual unwed mothers. No more money spent on AIDS, foreign countries, NEA, bridges to nowhere, any earmark for anyone, especially Robert KKK Byrd!

I'd have to check, but I don't think anyone who didn't pay into the system got a check. But if they did, that was the part that the Democrats were demanding be in the final bill. Why? Just as the letter writer submits; to buy votes.

ETBass, you just don't get it; and by your continued socialist posts, you never will. Maybe if you came down out of them there hills in Mayberry and joined civilization? Are you still wearing Barney's uniform so you can get yourself a girl? Or maybe still breaking windows around town? Or still trying to marry Charlene?

Bring Otis with you and come join the revolution....

You need to think your argument through more clearly. If you remember the President and the Democratic congress pushed this through. We as a nation need to vote all the incumbents out in favor of someone who will do something about the problems we face.

Several responders make a good point. If plenty of Demos voted for the save-the-economy-before-the election plan, it's clear they see the vote buying in their interests as well. This shows how the two parties snuggle up and become one when things get real. The Congress know they will be unemployed if the economy tanks before November. So Bush saves his war and the Dems save their jobs. Win-win ... oops, except the people lose. The people lose because they think their savior is the central government. The only place things really get done is local government.