Explanation of economic stimulus

I received a delightful note in the mail yesterday: a (so-called) explanation of the economic stimulus plan. Hurray! If there is anything I don’t understand, it is the economic stimulus plan. However, the note unfortunately clear up any of the problems I have with the package.

Yes, I know I will receive either a check or the money by direct deposit depending on how (or if) I received a tax refund. Yes, I know how much I will be getting. I don’t really need to know the exact date I should expect the refund. I’m not making any crucial financial decisions based on the timing of the arrival of a $900 check from the government.

How will giving every person a trivial one-time payment create a long-term solution for an economy that has been in freefall for months? What happens when everyone has spent their money? Where did these billions come from? I have a feeling the Pentagon won’t be suffering loss of funding due to this plan.

So, I guess another explanation of the stimulus plan may be in order, but, while we’re on the subject, I would like to thank George W. for my Macbook. I can no longer say you didn’t do anything for a guy like me… only that the thing you did for me was very small and probably very stupid.