Dear President Bush,
While I certainly appreciate the gesture of the upcoming tax refund check to stimulate spending, I can't help but wonder how you think $600.00 will alleviate much of anything, much less spur a flurry of spending?
Americans have not stopped spending. Heck, we haven't even slowed down!
We've simply been forced to redirect our funds to basic needs, rather than "luxury" items.
In the last year and a half or two, what it costs to fill the tank on my vehicle has doubled. Okay, I used to spend about $150 on gas a month. Simple math gives us a nice round $300 a month it takes now.
There's $150 immediately removed from the equation when it comes to any "luxury" spending I might do. By the way, I consider myself 'average' when it comes to income. I hope to retire by the time I'm 82.
Now, add in how much groceries have increased due to higher transport and production (etc.) costs. I'm spending about $75 a month more at the grocery store now, for the same items.
So we're up to $225 a month out of the luxury pool.
If that weren't enough, basics such as electricity, natural gas, and water have also risen, and for the very same reasons groceries have. Tack on another $100 a month spent for basics.
So, in my household alone, roughly $325 a month has been redirected. These numbers aren't to the penny, it may be slightly higher or slightly lower, in truth. I might add that my paycheck has not increased quite so dramatically, and I'm thankful that I don't have small children at this time. I do, however, have one in Iraq.
There are 'luxury' items I would love to have funds for; a more economical vehicle, a washing machine that works, a mattress that doesn't hurt my back, central air conditioning, new paint on the house. But they aren't happening any time soon, if things continue on the path they've been on.
I'm sure you can see how $600 will come in handy...but not really do much to encourage me to go purchase anything I don't absolutely need to.
Congratulations on restoring my faith in our illustrious government.
Its ability to suck its constituents just this side of dry never ceases to amaze me.
What is spent filibustering could feed and house entire families. I won't even start on pensions retired officials rake in. Very comforting to those of us who wonder how we're going to get by to know that those in power (or retired from it) can rest in comfort thanks to our efforts. I know I sleep better at night, bad mattress and all.
It makes me so proud to know where my tax dollars go, where my childrens' tax dollars go, and neighbors' tax dollars go.
Regards,
Anna
While I certainly appreciate the gesture of the upcoming tax refund check to stimulate spending, I can't help but wonder how you think $600.00 will alleviate much of anything, much less spur a flurry of spending?
Americans have not stopped spending. Heck, we haven't even slowed down!
We've simply been forced to redirect our funds to basic needs, rather than "luxury" items.
In the last year and a half or two, what it costs to fill the tank on my vehicle has doubled. Okay, I used to spend about $150 on gas a month. Simple math gives us a nice round $300 a month it takes now.
There's $150 immediately removed from the equation when it comes to any "luxury" spending I might do. By the way, I consider myself 'average' when it comes to income. I hope to retire by the time I'm 82.
Now, add in how much groceries have increased due to higher transport and production (etc.) costs. I'm spending about $75 a month more at the grocery store now, for the same items.
So we're up to $225 a month out of the luxury pool.
If that weren't enough, basics such as electricity, natural gas, and water have also risen, and for the very same reasons groceries have. Tack on another $100 a month spent for basics.
So, in my household alone, roughly $325 a month has been redirected. These numbers aren't to the penny, it may be slightly higher or slightly lower, in truth. I might add that my paycheck has not increased quite so dramatically, and I'm thankful that I don't have small children at this time. I do, however, have one in Iraq.
There are 'luxury' items I would love to have funds for; a more economical vehicle, a washing machine that works, a mattress that doesn't hurt my back, central air conditioning, new paint on the house. But they aren't happening any time soon, if things continue on the path they've been on.
I'm sure you can see how $600 will come in handy...but not really do much to encourage me to go purchase anything I don't absolutely need to.
Congratulations on restoring my faith in our illustrious government.
Its ability to suck its constituents just this side of dry never ceases to amaze me.
What is spent filibustering could feed and house entire families. I won't even start on pensions retired officials rake in. Very comforting to those of us who wonder how we're going to get by to know that those in power (or retired from it) can rest in comfort thanks to our efforts. I know I sleep better at night, bad mattress and all.
It makes me so proud to know where my tax dollars go, where my childrens' tax dollars go, and neighbors' tax dollars go.
Regards,
Anna
posted by Anna at
2:43 PM
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