the price of gas has doubled scince bush got into office and a couple years ago when it came out the oil companies were making hundreds of billions in profits congress said "hey thats not right" we need to tax that! so during these 2 terms how much more do you suppose we have paid in higher gas prices and how much has the government gotten in extra taxes? now that the golden gooses ribs are showing and the dying quivers are setting in, "hey we are going to give you guys back some of what you have been over charged for". its not that i dont apreciate it as i really do, it should just about cover what im going to have to send the IRS this year.

Bush is not in charge of the economy. He never will fix it and anyone who thinks that he is in charge of doing it or that he can is utterly stupid.

The whole idea is a political scam. That includes that retard Pelosi.

Oh, brother! With the huge national debt as well as our country's economic woes, all of which Bush and cronies have caused, he tries to placate us with a paltry rebate? This equates to a panhandler giving away money...money which he/she doesn't possess!

Remember the gas prices dropping before the '06 elections? This is another Red Herring to keep the "sheep" (i.e. US citizens) content...and for this taxpayer, it isn't cuttin' it.

I don't know about you guys, but with how many millions out of work, and the skyrocketing cost of feeding a family, I think my local food bank needs my $600 more than I do. I'm giving mine away, 'cause the government sure isn't helping all the people who have been screwed by this administration's economic policies. Keeps the money out of Bush's corporate cronies' hands, too!

Gee, thanks, just what my credit card companies need, a check from Uncle Sam. That's where my rebate would go. I'm wating for approval on SSDI and am borrowing money to stay afloat because all my fixed costs have increased 25-50% and my income has been reduced 400%. What this country needs is a return of the WPA and the CCC BEFORE we go from a recession into a depression. Our countries infrastructure is going to h.ll in a handbasket, carried by Bush, Cheney, the oil companies, real estate developers, private contractors doing business with the federal government and a paucity of business and personal ethics that makes the almighty dollar more important than people.

Please let me know. I am disabled, can't work and live below the poverty level on only social security and make so little I don't have to file an income tax return per IRS. I could certainly use a little extra. It would be a blessing for me. Would I eligible to get a check also under the current ruling? Thanks, Johann

$300 what a joke!! I'm using mine,if and when I get it to pay off bills, because my work is really slow and if the housing market continues going downhill, it will get even slower. Bush didn't seem to care about all the people losing their homes because they couldn't afford their mortage when their interest rates went up. If he really cared about the little people he would do something serious about the housing problems. Once again poor and middle income households will lose. This rebate will not help anyone in the long run.

i like the idea the middle gets a rebate.i also agree the economy is in the toilet.i don't believe those who don't pay taxes should get a check,thats another free check for them.i would also ask the govt to propose a long term solution,intsead of relying on occasional perks.

One of the first rules of budgeting, is when you have a lot of debt, you don't keep spending money you don't have...that is what is wrong with this program. In fact, as I remember it was a proven fact the tax rebate program did not stimulate the economy last time he did this. It was reported that most folks put the money in their savings accounts...or used it to pay the years taxes.

I would be more concerned about those who have used up all their unemployment, and the families who depend on the food stamps...they are the ones who would be spending money..to pay bills and survive...not for shopping!!!

I'm all for the rebate, and excited, too, to say the least!
However, I'm also of the opinion that IF this goes through, many businesses, oil companies, etc., will up their prices to get what THEY see as their 'rightful' piece of the pie! Gas prices will rise even more, and even air travel tickets, car sales, all because their CEO's think they should get more money too.
It's going to be a double-edged sword, isn't it?

Checked back for responses. Probably took one of the responses a bit personal and if I did I apologize if incorrect. I read Craig's response saying people who don't pay taxes shouldn't get a check because it would be another free check. FYI, Some people don't look at a disabled, Social Security check as a "free check". For many decades I paid into the system and paid a lot of taxes. This check is from a system everyone pays into in case, heaven forbid, they need it if unexpectedly become seriously disabled. It's no fun living with so little but feel that's what the program is there for. If I'm wrong in my assumption, again, I'm sorry. I just hope you never have to rely on it in your future, seriously. If you are, I pray your strong enough to grin and bare the situation. I hope every poor social security person gets a check too. How nice for them.

ahh----------we're broke!!!!!quit making-spending money we dont have!!!!!!!every single person in the usa owes 30k+ to the national debt and i dont remember anyone asking if they could borrow it for me?WTF-over

Here is hoping everyone enjoys the money I paid in. We are over the limit for the refund, and financial aid for our 2 kids in college, and claiming college loan interest, and it goes on and on. The government takes 42% of my income and my gas and heating bills have sky rocketed as well. Why not give people a percentage of what they paid!

I recall a past president that said:

"It is not what your country can do you but what you can do for your country".

With that in mind, If I don't want the money, can I not accept it or will I be forced to accept it?

More smoke and mirrors from the borrow-and-spend Republicans. Borrrow from the Chinese and spend it on the Iraqis.

While I am looking forward to sending my $1500(married with 1 child) to my credit card companies, I will miss it in the Spring of 2009 when it is withheld from my next tax refund. To everyone who gets a check, remember to save the check stub for your 2008 tax prep. Just like last time. Next time they want to 'fix' the economy, how about they just give us the money and don't ask for it back.?!?!

This is just fantastic. Bush puts the country in the toliet and then decides to give us the people that build this country CHUMP change. I am sorry but he is just flushing us down now.. By raising the defict even more. This country had a SURPLUS when President Clinton left office! We are the laughing stock of the world! This country allowed this by voting for him 2x and didn't even try to impeach him!

Bush has screwed up the country and all of our allies that he is running scared. He has allowed the oil companies to make profits and we the working people of the U. S. A had suffered. Of course everything is going up the idoit doesn't stop to think that everything we buy is shipped in from somewhere. We need to get rid of Bush and all his buddies and get Hiliary Clinton in before anything more like another wat or what ever Bush thinks of next. All the republicans running for office is just as bad as he is. We need more democrats in congress so we can get bills through that don't support the wealthy and help the working people of this great nation.

10 things to ponder.

1. If this country is in the toilet why do so many people from other countries come here for education, military training, medical treatment, and to just plain work?

2. The national debt. Please this has been a political topic for nearly 40 years. Get over it it is not going to change no matter which party is in control.

3. Fact the top 1% wage earners in this country pay more of the tax burden than they did in 2000. If you don't believe me go to the IRS website!

4. Sub-prime hmmm. People with sketchy credit got loans for homes that they could not afford, and we're shocked that they are now in foreclosure. Fact 96% of all home loans are currently paid on time. Fact there are more homeowners than anytime in the history of the United States.

5. Gas prices are high because of demand and OPEC speculation! Quit complaining about US oil companies making money. They create high paying jobs. Instead start questioning India, China and Saudi Arabia.

6. We need the wealthy in this country, who do you think creates jobs. Have you ever been hired by a person that was poor?

7. The US government has 2 jobs (a) protect its citizens. (b) create infrastructure.

8. The income tax punishes success and hard work.

9. Politicians specifically democrats talk about more taxes on business. Businesses don't pay taxes they pass it on to their customers.

10. If you depend on government you will most likely be disappointed. So get an education and make a lot of money so you don't have too.

p.s. this economic package is symbolism over substance.

and by the way theoretically we are at full employment in this country. so enough about millions out of work.

Thank You Barbara Roberts!

Social Security was never meant to be a living wage. It was meant to offset a loss of income. Over the years people have tried to turn it into a retirement system it was never meant to be.

To our citizens and our legislators:

Bite the bullett. Stop spending and start paying the bills. Then you start saving so you do not have to borrow. Save for retirement and save for large projects and purchases. We know roads will need to be replaced and that money should be set aside BEFORE it is needed. The same goes for car purchases and Chrsitmas Gifts. You know Christmas comes in Decmeber EVERY year!

I am sorry people did not plan for retirement but we shouhd not have to bail them out. Nor should the government (All of us) be bailing people out of horrible home loans they signed just so they could get that big huge ostentatious house they could not afford then and are now just smelling the coffee.

DAVE RAMSEY ROCKS!!!

I live in a small town with my husband and three kids - we live below the poverty level - no big surprise there - even though my husband works 40+ hours a week - we cannot keep our heads above water - we are in debt because of medical bills - we dont own a credit card and probably never will - we cannot pay our heating bill because the cost enormous - especially when you factor in that we live in Alaska - avg temp in SUMMER is 70 degrees - while I would love to berate this administration right along with the rest of you - I am stuck in a catch 22 - we really NEED the money - we NEED to eat - we NEED to be warm - and we NEED the roof over our heads - I do recognize that this administration is at fault for the economy and the reason life on our struggling family has gotten that much harder - but its over - there is a new election - lets all stop complaining about what is soon to be the past and elect a president and administration that will fix the economy - not put a bandaid on it

To Barbara Roberts and all of those who commentted about this country being better than it really is.

Just remember, there are a whole lot more of us common folk who have went to school, got the degrees and are still trying to find a job. As for the Rebates, this is a slap in the face to Americans. We pay more into the system over the year than the $1000.00 we are getting back.
As for all of those who are coming over here for opportunity, that is just who gets it!!! Them. We as White Americans are taking the back seat to Affirmative Action. Believe me when I say this, because I have said it before. If I could leave America, I would. This is not the country that I was born in, not the one that I grew up in and certainly not he one that I care to die in. When this country experiences another Sept 11 attack and believe me if something is not done soon, it will, I am hoping that I am gone from here. George Washington and all of our forefathers have to be turning over in their graves at what has happened to us over the last 232 years.

I have done everything that VA told to when I was discharged from the Military as far as becoming gainfully employed. I completed college, got a degree, interviewed for countless numbers of jobs nationwide and if a degree today only brings forth a $30,000 a year job, then they can keep it. I have friends who have taken jobs with international companies and they are making somewhere in the area of $180,000 to $250,000 per year, and are living in Vilas and sending their children to Private Academies. Believe me I am so sick and tired of this So-called Government that they call the best in the world. This is not a Democracy, this is a joke. Yes, the rest of the world laughs at us now. We went in eight years from being a World Power to nothing but a Cocktail Party Joke. Our Allies from WWII really have respect for us now!!!!! HA What A Shamm!

You know, as the old saying goes, with friends like this, who needs enemies?

It is sad that we are turning this country into a communist country. We tear down the wall in Germany only to put one up here in the usa. My opinion is that the government does not F-me feed me raise my kids or pay my bills. If they want for me not to smoke in my vehicle with my child then they can pay my car payment, house payment ect. If the government wants control why don't they pay all of my bills while they are at it. I don't want the government in my home. God knows that next they will be telling me what I can wear next because it may affect the Ozone. LMAO the Government is a joke as is ohbama.

This tax rebate is a joke. The last time they issued one I received 20.00. What a joke.

test from kim

"O" goody now I can buy A tank of gas.

What should I purchase with my $300/$600 that will stimulate the economy? Should it be something made in America or something made in a foreign country but sold in America? If I choose "Made in America", what could that be?

To all of you who think this will affect the national debt, they are just giving us part of our next refund early. It's an advance, just like last time, only we are getting more sooner. I'm sure my credit card companies will be very happy. One step closer to paying down my family debt. ps If you don't like our system, get out and vote to change it, write your elected officials, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Squeak, Squeak. :)

Just remember. The tax "rebate" is a fraud. This money is a deduction from your 2009 refund, if any. If you have no refund and you cashed the check they sent you, then you have to pay it back to them next year.

"Rebate" is a strange name for a loan.

I have heard that the "rebate" is actually your 2008 tax refund paid out early. So, if you don't have a refund coming next year, you would have to pay it back.

I have heard that you would not have to pay it back if you don't have a refund coming. However, are you going to trust this government.