My Solution v2

[billvon 3,110]

My original alternative to the $1200 rebate was a governmental rebate that had to be spent on hookers, strippers, booze and McDonald's.

However, as appealing as that might be, and as much as it would stimulate our local economy, it has been pointed out to me that that will take a lot of administration, and we'll just have to pay that all back in taxes anyway. So I would like to amend my economic-recovery solution to one that's a bit less government-centric:

The government talks to a banking institution, like Chemical Bank. They obtain 150 million credit cards in the names of the US taxpayers. They come with easy terms - no payments for a year, then 19% a year interest rate. They restrict the cards such that they can only be used in topless bars, brothels (legal Nevada ones of course) liquor stores and McDonald's. Then they just mail em all out in lieu of the checks.

The US government gets 1% of that 19% interest; that goes to paying down the debt. The consumer then gets a credit card that means FREE FREE FREE McDonald's, Jack Daniels and strippers for a FULL YEAR! Imagine how much that will stimulate the economy.

[kallend 2,146]

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The consumer then gets a credit card that means FREE FREE FREE McDonald's, Jack Daniels and strippers for a FULL YEAR! Imagine how much that will stimulate the economy.

It would stimulate me

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[BIGUN 1,483]

Would that be the "Bottom's Up" as opposed to "Trickle Down" economic "stimulus" package...

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[Andrewwhyte 1]

Good ol' Keynsian stimulus from the GOP.

[mwabd1 0]

Well not entirely free, you will have to pay that rebate back in 2009 when you file your 2008 taxes.

Although it is kinda like an interest free loan for strippers, hookers, booze and a Big Mac!

.......I hereby reject your reality and instead choose to insert my own!

[lawrocket 3]

Hmm. How about the government pulling the credit of every American. Take the money that would have gone to the refund and put it towards the highest interest credit card or cards.

For those without credit card debt, put it towards ANOTHER debt.

Doing so will help the taxpayer with high-interest debt. It also will infuse cash into the banking system, thus increasing liquidity.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[FreeflyChile 0]

given how much i owe in loans, i must say i like your idea -- can we implement this right now?

[billvon 3,110]

> Hmm. How about the government pulling the credit of every American.
>Take the money that would have gone to the refund and put it towards the
>highest interest credit card or cards.

How does that get hookers more money? And no one gets any Big Macs! It just enriches some fat-cat bankers as far as I can tell. I'm sorry, but such a taxpayer-hating scheme will never stand a chance against the hooker-and-fries credit card (or its poor cousin, the $1200 check.)

[lawrocket 3]

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How does that get hookers more money?

Did the hookers declare via W-2 or were they 1099'd?

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And no one gets any Big Macs!

Nothign stops people from putting them on Visa again.

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It just enriches some fat-cat bankers as far as I can tell.

Lucky? Is that you??

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[billvon 3,110]

>Did the hookers declare via W-2 or were they 1099'd?

They're all independent contractors, so it's 1099-MISC for them. (Fortunately for them Nevada has no state income tax.)

>Nothign stops people from putting them on Visa again.

Nothing stops you from borrowing $1200 from your Visa either, so it will be at least as effective as the $1200 check - and cost the government far less.

[Remster 30]

But Bill,

this $1200 is a gift from the government. It has nothing to do with borrowing money...

Remster

[billvon 3,110]

>this $1200 is a gift from the government. It has nothing to do
>with borrowing money...

Exactly. After all, they just have to print it.