en-us http://www.keithwatanabe.net/index.php Keith Watanabe's Website http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2008/1/24/e465827ce2acc2bc626088f82f2bf723.html
The thing that bugs me the most is that it seems this "stimulus" plan doesn't take into account location, or so it seems. For one, you have more expensive states with high tax rates like New York or California where this money won't even make a dent in consumer confidence. My IT friends in LA, who might get something towards the higher end, would simply laugh and probably waste the money on a weekend trip to Vegas.

This isn't a revitalization plan; it's not even a shot of morning caffeine from a latte.

The people who need the tax benefit the most are the middle class, living in cities with a high cost associated with it. I don't see the logic behind giving a farmer in Kansas the same amount as a minimal wage earned in LA. The farmer has all the things he really requires to survive. The person living in LA needs gas, higher rent and sometimes larger food bills to survive.

This obviously is not a well balanced, well thought out plan. I'd prefer the government to step in and figure out how to negate roughly 50% of what people would pay for gas in the past year. Let's assume that gas for the average person ranges from $300-$500/month. People in cities like LA should be able to receive up to $2400 on average with this formula. If that kind of tax break, in addition to whatever returns people receive this year, would give a little more consumer confidence since people won't have to worry as much about the recent gas hikes. Since it's obvious that the government's hands have been tied by big business (read: Oil) to not be able to sue, tax or hinder the output of these companies, the least the government can do is compensate its citizens by providing a healthy relief package.

If the government has to forgo spending, just stop putting billions into that useless war and Homeland Security/TSA groups. Those are things that the country doesn't require.]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2008 09:33:00 -0700 http://www.keithwatanabe.net/blogs/2008/1/24/e465827ce2acc2bc626088f82f2bf723.html