A REAL economic stimulus package: Government-supplied gift certificates

[Ezlivin]

Why trust us to actually spend the stimulus money? The government can ensure that its consumers citizens actually buy stuff by simply issuing gift certificates. Like all gift certificates the government-issued ones would have an expiration date, guaranteeing consumption within a certain timeframe. Citizens would log-on to a government website and choose which company(s) for which they'd like a gift certificate and the amount for each certificate. (Example: $200 gift certificate for Amazon.com, $150 for Victoria's Secret and $150 for Albertsons.)

Crazy idea? Sure, but not as crazy as the claims that the government has made concerning the proposed stimulus package.

Just how crazy is this idea compared to the government's? Is pure consumption the solution to our economic malaise? Or would debt relief actually prove more beneficial?

[Ezlivin]

1. Bump

Just because I'm curious and persistent. :)

[canoeist52]

2. Government debit cards were considered

Yesterday morning on C-span Washington Journal I heard Economic Committee member, Carolyn Maloney D., 14th dist. N.Y., say that she had proposed to have the package issued in the form of a debit card to force the American workers to spend it quickly. She proposed having a short expiration date. It was discarded temporarily because it would take too long to implement.
How 'bout letting the people decide how to best spend their own money? I bought cell phones through AT&T that had rebates. Those rebates were in the form of debit cards which was not disclosed in the terms. I thought I was getting a check. Also the cards were confusing to use.
This may be something our government would consider for our future tax returns. This doesn't bode well for our financial freedom. What bugs me is that this came from a Democrat! Sen. Maloney , what about the lower and middle class's ability to save for it's future. Maybe I'll pay my taxes with a Walmart gift certificate to stimulate the economy!