So you got your economic stimulus money. Good for you.

Congress is hoping you'll go out and spend it. Buy anything. Just like it does. Just like your own personal earmark.

Excessive buying on credit (ours and Congress') helped get us to this point. Now, even if you're maxed-out on your cards, you can just charge it against your taxes.

I couldn't find this in the IRS FAQs, but according to H&R Block, this money is actually an advance on next year's tax refund. So, if you got $600, when you file your taxes in 2009, $600 will be deducted from your refund. But, if your refund next year is less than your rebate this year, you don't have to pay back the excess.

The bottom line? Have just the right amount of federal taxes withheld in 2008, so that you won't get a refund, and you get to keep the $600.

Now that would really be an economic stimulus.

Guest Blogger,
Stranger's Wife

After the attack of 9/11/2001, George Bush stepped up to the plate and hit a home run. That is how history will read twenty years from now. The foresight displayed by riding the world of an evil man and changing the political climate in the Middle East. After America was punched several times, George W. Bush hit back.

Iraq will be the shining star in the region. The light from this star will empower peoples of the oppressed countries to rise up and join the free world. No doubt it will take time for this to manifest, but it has begun, thanks to President Bush.

I can hear the nay sayers. Not all of his policies were popular. Spending was way out of control. Hurricane Katrina didn't help matters. The press and those who don't like the President blame him. It will be shown that the corrupt government of New Orleans spent the money allocated to strengthening the levy system on other projects. The mismanagement of the evacuation by the Mayor's office and the failure of the Governor to act will be the culprits.

All in all, the tax cuts worked well -- three and a half years of good economic times and prosperity, despite 9/11, Katrina and fighting two wars.

We are all grateful to our men and women who fought and those who are fighting even now.

Stranger

This is not the America we all know and love. Nor is it the America the Founding Fathers created.

Shame, Shame on Johnny Boy Sutton, on the Attorney General Mukasey, most of congress and last but not least President Bush. Please pardon these American Heroes. How do you expect other brave men and women to risk their lives and risk their freedom when over zealous prosecutors and non caring government officials turn a blind eye?

Did you all have more than one hour of sunlight per day over the past year plus? Have you spent years thinking you were doing a good deed for America only to land in solitary confinement?

What is the real story behind this American tragedy. There has got to be more to it.
Thugs on the street get better treatment than Ramos and Campean for crimes against American society, terrorists get lighter sentences.

These men will always be Heroes to me. And the lesson is; if you're good at enforcing the law, remember your all alone, you don't have backup.

President Bush, please look into that Christian heart of yours and do the RIGHT thing. Bring these men home where they belong with their families. They have suffered enough permanent damage to their lives and the lives of their families.

Stranger

Who will stand with me and fight those who are corrupting our system? Who will stand with me and force the special interests out of Washington?

We all know Congress and the special interest groups are in bed with each other. So looking towards government to solve our problems is a non sequitur. Where does that leave us?

The only power we have is the ballot box. We almost got it to work with the Contract with America, but the juniors were quickly corralled into the fold and coerced into following the big footprints of the status quo.

While we have very brave men and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, we at home must do our part and make sure they have something worth coming home to. It is our responsibility!

The time has come to allow drilling in Anwr, off our coasts and in the Gulf of Mexico. After all, Cuba and China have formed a partnership to do just that. Who do you think has the better technology to drill cleanly and safely?

Then there is coal made into fuel; Germany developed this technology during WWII. The Air Force is doing this as we speak. We certainly don't want to be dependent on anyone other than ourselves when it comes to our defense. The time has come to build nuclear plants and certainly refineries.

All this "green" nonsense has got to stop. All it does is make money for Al Gore and those who jump on the bandwagon. There is zero evidence of man-made globe warming and the temperature has not increased in the last 10 years. So stop the silliness.

I know there is so much money on the table that the oil companies don't want to leave. This is very short sighted. Speaking of which, look at the unintended consequences of what happened when ethanol was mandated to buy a few votes and to appease the environmentalists. The whole world is affected. The price of food is more than some people can afford in some of the poorer countries. The price of fuel being bid up by speculators is going to kill the goose that lays the golden egg.

So what I am saying is it is up to us to push Washington into action with pressure, much pressure.

This is where we can start. Make contact with your representatives and let them know we are paying attention, and that we vote. We will be voting on the way they vote and perform. Start by calling the offices of your representatives and talk about drilling for oil. Call again the next day to talk about converting coal to fuel oil. Keep calling to talk about more refineries and nuclear power plants.

Lastly we don't need all these designer gasolines for different parts of the country and different seasons. This increases the cost and increases the inefficiency in the system.

All this, by the way, will produce many good paying jobs right here at home.

None of the Presidential candidates has a clue about the economy so there is no hope there. Vote the status quo out and let fresh ideas in.

Join me. It's up to you and me.

Stranger