Eleven Dollar Stimulus

What do you think of the government's efforts to spend our way back to growth? Personally, it makes me crazy. I'm a big fan of living within your means, spending less than you earn. I think government ought to do the same. Ever since President Bush started running up the debt I've been quite a squeaky wheel when it comes to America as a nation spending more than we earn. All the recent spending referred to as "economic stimulus" really has me banging my head against the wall. I enjoy getting checks in the mail as much as the next guy, but if it's a check from me (in the form of government debt I'll have to repay over the rest of my life) I wish I could pass.

I told that to Stephen at work (who was soon to become Stephen the Obambie) when we got the $600 stimulus checks under the Bush administration. He said I could send it back. I told him I was tempted, and probably even would do it if I had the slightest inkling that the national debt would grow by $600 less if I sent my stimulus check back. But it would no doubt just be spent elsewhere, and I figured I can spend it more wisely than the government ever would. Now, thanks to the financial hemorrhage going on (surprised?) under President Obama, I have the opportunity to make good on that thought.

I told Stephen I'd like to decline the $13 per week "stimulus" added to my paycheck by Obama, since it's our own borrowed money he's giving us. But I didn't want to mail it back and have it spent on "emergency art" so I'd do that by giving that money to a homeless shelter. Stephen laughed and said Obama already has that covered. He was right. Then I considered making a statement to Obama by contributing $13 per week to the Republican Party in his honor. I wonder if that would stop the stimulus spending! But the Republicans haven't earned back my love and respect after digging such a deep hole in the first place.

So I've decided that since Obama is overturning Bush's ban on federal money for embryonic stem cell research, I'll take the $13 per week that Obama is borrowing against my (and my kids, and my grandkids's) future, and donate that money to MCCL (Minnesota Citzens Concerned for Life). Call me a cynic, but who do you think will take credit for the rise in charitable giving? Even so, I invite you to find a charity you like and send them your "stimulus" too.

Finally, I thought the "stimulus" was supposed to be $13 per week beginning April 1st (Joke's on us!), but I started noticing $11 extra two paychecks ago. Not sure what's up with that.

Hungry For Chinese?

When I saw this sign while we were on vacation this week, I couldn't resist taking a picture.

Working The Fourth Shift

From The Onion:
Falling behind in these tough times? Why not work another shift?

"The extra-dimensional shift, which occurs on a time axis at right angles to that of normal reality, allows American workers to supplement their incomes, while still maintaining the morning, afternoon, and overnight shifts they need in order to stave off bankruptcy."
Read the whole article here.

This is derifter (not Les Nessman) saying so long, and may the good news be yours.