I'd like to think that the majority of Americans are not just good people, but smart people...and more often than not, also trusting people.
It's that "trusting" thing that has me nervous. And a recent speech from The Decider confirms it.
As Think Progress notes, President Bush is claiming that "History" will judge him as some sort of economic visionary. In the wake of the Great Bush Bribe, I would call this belief absurd. Unfortunately, Americans are also known for another thing: short memories.
It's very possible that the Great Bush Bribe will work; and by "work" I mean "get people to use their checks to buy crap." I say it's very possible for two reasons: Bush is pushing for it, and a recent business survey says that that's what people plan on doing.
Here's my problem: If a majority of Americans use their checks to just buy "things," the economy may just pick up, even if it's by a bit. That "bit" will be all Bush needs to claim that he's the embodiment the Fiscal Responsibility. From his speech (or here, if you've been trying to avoid going to the White House site during his tenure):
I really appreciate the fact that we work together. I just want to review a couple of issues that have made a difference. First of all, we worked together to launch a period of sustained economic growth. I remember meeting with some right after the attacks and we were wondering whether or not our economy could withstand a terrorist attack -- after all, a recession was in place just as I came into office, then the terrorists attacked, then we had corporate scandals.
And a lot of folks were wondering whether or not this economy would be resilient enough to withstand those pressures. And it turns out it was. And I want to thank you very much for supporting the tax cuts plans that had good effect on small businesses all across the United States during that period of time. I think when people take a look back at this moment in our economic history, they'll recognize tax cuts work. They have made a difference.
And this is what we're doing again. We've entered another period of difficult times. I am confident in the long term for the United States' economy. I know we're resilient. I know we're entrepreneurial. I know we'll withstand these times. I want to thank you for supporting the economic stimulus package that we passed, which provides strong incentives for small businesses to expand and will put money into the pockets of the people who earned it.
I don't know what's more frustrating: that he's still peddling the idea that his tax cuts has helped, or that both his tax cuts and the economic stimulus package have equally benefitted small businesses (I was of the mind that the latter wouldn't be necessary if the former was actually beneficial).
And if that's not bad enough, people are already plotting to trick people out of their money:
Texans should be aware of a scam that has emerged in connection with the federal economic stimulus package. Under recently passed legislation, the IRS will mail tax rebate checks to eligible Texans over the next few months.
Several Texans recently filed complaints with the Office of the Attorney General after receiving unsolicited e-mails and telephone calls from purported IRS agents claiming that the taxpayers are eligible for "Bush refunds." The scammers demand taxpayers' Social Security and bank account numbers, claiming the IRS will use the information to directly deposit "rebate checks" into the taxpayers' accounts.
This is outright identity theft fraud. The IRS does not call or e-mail taxpayers unexpectedly to demand personal information for direct deposits. Taxpayers solicited in this manner should just hang up or delete the e-mail.
Now I realize yet another characteristic of Americans is that we really don't like people telling us what to do. It annoys us. I've asked friends and family what they plan on doing or what advice they'd give to someone who's getting a check. Most said that they'd pay off bills. A few said they'll save it. At least one person told me they'll invest it in some stock.
The only advice I'll give is don't waste your opportunity like this guy:
UPDATE: Bush has something new to say on the rebate checks:
The purpose of this is to respond decisively to the economic downturn that we're going through. The Congress, along with the White House, worked very closely to pass a very substantial pro-growth package. And I fully recognize that people are concerned about our economy, but they must understand that this package has yet to fully kick in yet. We've taken action, but it's going to take a while for the economy to feel the effects of this good law that I signed. It's going to take a while for these folks standing behind me to get their money...
[snip]
...Now, small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy. Small business owners and -- are dreamers and doers. We want to watch them and help them expand, because as they expand, more and more people find work. There's a rough patch right now in our economy, but I'm confident in the long term we'll come out stronger than ever before. One of the most decisive actions a government can take is to give people their money back so they can spend it, and that's exactly what we've done. In the second week of May, a lot of folks are going to be getting a sizable check. And I'm looking forward to that day, and I know they are as well.