Good idea... or not?

Sure. On the surface and in the short term, this seems like a good idea. We all could use a little extra money right now ~ I know I certainly could.

The responsible thing to ask though is: How will we (America) pay for it in the long run? A report on CBS Evening News tonight suggested that whatever amount of money is requested from Congress - the rebates would be paid for by adding $150 billion more to the national deficit. That's like overspending the limit on your credit card; the interest and fees alone will hurt real baaaaad. Believe me, I have unwanted experience in this area. I don't know if I like where this is going.

I mean, if Congress wasn't grudgingly signing bills left and right to fund George Bush's War in Iraq....

Waaaaaaaaaait a minute! Hey, here's an idea!

Instead of fighting a never ending war that we can not win (admit it - the war in Iraq is this generation's Korea/Vietnam), the {next} President needs to tell the Iraqis to defend their own country so that we can bring the vast majority of our troops home soon. Then the government can use the money saved to help rectify America's weak-a$$ economy and strengthen our borders and airports to help protect against possible future terrorist attacks...

And while I'm waxing political, let me talk about jobs for a sec, OK?

Bush says he wants to create more jobs here at home and that's fine. All well and good. Right?!?!? But what kind of jobs are we talking about, exactly?

Is he talking about creating more minimum wage jobs that keep people with families fighting against the poverty line trying to make ends meet, living paycheck to paycheck OR is he talking about real jobs that pay enough to allow families to not only meet their monthly bills but get ahead (even if only a little) and maybe - save a little bit?