Should we shop to be patriotic and save America's economy?

[Redrover]

This silly "rebate" will do absolutely nothing to stimulate our faltering economy. All this empty gesture does is further exacerbate the already ginormous national debt. The reason our economy is in the toilet is due to our huge trade deficit and the personal spending habits of far too many Americans. I read something yesterday that sort of said it all: we Americans used to be known as "customers" when we bought durable American-made goods that lasted, from local merchants. Now we are known as "consumers" who buy disposable foreign-made goods from distant merchants. Now-a-days there is no such things as delayed gratification; we want it when we want it. This is why the personal debt load is so enormous because we whip out our credit cards rather than save up to buy something. Obviously it is better for our economy to buy American made products but in virtually all instances, it costs considerably more to do this. We have made it so expensive for companies to manufacture goods in this country with high wages and endlessly restrictive legal regulations imposed on every facet of the operation that companies have little recourse but to send their manufacturing out of the country. In many cases there is no option if you want to buy something made in this country - it simply doesn't exist. But the only aspect of this terrible economic situation that we have any control over is our own personal debt. Unless and until we reign in our profligate spending and stop buying things we can't afford, our economy will only get worse. So the best thing you can do with that "rebate" is either pay some bills, apply it to your credit card debt or save it. (If the government really wanted to help they could put a cap on the interest rates credit card companies are allowed to impose.)

[ColdCanadian]

How could it have helped the U.S. economy if the trend was reversed, that very few Americans were willing to buy items they can't afford without credit?

[kshe95girl]

well,said rebate is hung up in the senate, knew that would happen! Partisan politics at its best.

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by questioner2

So are you spending or saving in 2008?

I'm paying off existing debt & traveling.

[kshe95girl]

if we do get it, I am going to use it to remodel a room in my house, if I can find any US made building products.

[yankee617]

It seems to me that if one buys things, they should buy something they need or may need in the future. However, I think there is one more very important thing. What about ensuring a person buys something that is made in USA? Wouldn't that help save the economy? This concept seems way to simple. What did I miss? Please don't say, "That would work great, but nothing is Made in USA" becuase that is not true at all. So what did I miss, for real?

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[Shopaholic]

I'm not sure what I would spend the rebate on. I guess I would have to see what I need the most at that time. I do think it is a great idea to support the American economy by buying products made in America, like Oreck vacuums. To me it just seems like such an easy choice...if buying one thing over another of comparable value would have a better impact of the economy then why not do it?

[groove1]

It will all be spent on products made in China, Japan, or Korea.

[Fat Freddy]

I don't believe the government will really give me anything, but if they do, I'll probably use it to pay my taxes.

But maybe I'll spend it at WalMart.

Or at a Chinese restaurant.

[nancy thereader]

I don't think I even qualify for one.