CNN

Absolutely. Those who have the luxury to save are too afraid to spend right now, which is why the problem is just compounding. If we want to stimulate the economy, we need people to spend, and the lower incomes will do that. It might not be a lighting fast solution, but it would get the ball rolling and those who are more secure will follow suit.

Yes they should, Jack. They are barely, if at all, getting by and the fact that they are working and trying deserves our support.
With our economy, lack of jobs, we are going to see more and more of this. All that is available are minimum wages, or less, part time, no benefit jobs.
This should be part of the stimulous package as is a help to those truely in need.

hi jack
if its the elderly yes but if its able body people no.we should take care of our elderly,they have giving all their lives to this country and now its time to give back to them.let them buy real food instead of eating dog food to be able to afford their meds.
clearwater,fl

How can you give something back to someone who did not give you anything. A person who does not pay taxes can not get a rebate check. This is what Webster calls Socialism.

This is one of my favorite right wing talking points. I suppose these same people don't pay a gasoline tax at the pump or a sales tax when they purchase clothing or any of a number of "sneaky" taxes we are all stuck with whether we like it or not. People who make so little money they don't qualify to pay income taxes are more needing of a stimulus than the rest of us. Members of Congress should be forced to live on a couple of hundred bucks a week for a month. Maybe when the rent runs out on the 15th and the food runs out on the 20th, they'll appreciate the reason for giving a stimulus check to someone who doesn't pay income taxes.

Tax rebates are saved, used to pay off debt, or used to buy products from China, none of which will create one American job. Government spending that buys American-made products or puts people to work building roads & bridges is the best way to stimulate the economy. This is rudimentary economics that is consitently ignored by the ideologues.

Ed Reed
Port Aransas, TX

This gets into the redistribution of wealth area. Unless those who are earning too little are themselves victims of the Republican program of wealth redistribution i.e. from the poor and middle class to the super wealthy, but that includes most of us anyway. At least you can bet that none of us will be spending it on million dollar redecorating projects.

No. It opens up a Pandora's box of who deserves it and who doesn't. For example part time workers, students, people who work a few weeks with the intention of cashing in on a rebate program. The bureaucracy needed to ensure cheaters don't take advantage of such a program makes it ineffective.

Yes, but this is not anything new. For those of us who do not earn enough to pay taxes, we have always gotten money back in April. I think it's called Earned Income Credit.

How can you get a rebate on something you didn't pay for in the first place? That's like going to a "buy one, get one free" sale and asking just for the second one free.

Jack, no one should be getting a rebate check. The only economy that will be stimulated – again – will be China's. If Obama and Congress want to do something useful with that money, then put US citizens back to work!

In light of the current unemployment crisis, there are many workers who use to earn a lot more than the pay decreases (most) are willing to take, in order to stay afloat. It would be unfair to these workers not to receive a tax rebate.

Jack: Why not---we are giving billions and billions of dollars to those who don't pay taxes.

The most vulnerables are the ones suffering the most during this crisis; but then again we tend not to want to see the real misery in our own country since we are always more touched when we see it abroad!

I'm trying to figure this out, maybe Ali Velshi can help. What do people that earn so little they don't pay income tax do? Everyone talks about them, but no one answers that important question. As for whether they should get rebates – it's the inverse of trickle-down economics and it does make sense. Give a guy who owns a million dollar business a tax credit – say a 20,000 or 30,000 tax credit, and he won't do anything with it. He won't hire someone, not for 20,000, probably not for 30,000. He'll probably save it. Give a guy who earns 20,000 in a year a tax credit and he'll spend it, maybe buy something from that million dollar a year business. So that business will stay open and keep people on its payroll. So those people will be able to go to work and whine about how their tax dollars are going to someone who doesn't pay taxes. So everyone stays happy.

I really don't understand taxes as much as others, but if they can find billions for the banks, why not for the little people.

If they don't pay taxes can you really call it a "rebate"?

It's either give them tax rebates or give them welfare. It all comes out of the same pot – tax payer's dollars.

We should all demand that the federal income tax be repealed, and that the government must live within its means. To accept the status quo of government intervention and misuse of our money will just leave us paying all of our debt to China for the remaining years of this country.

These people would certainly be more likely to spend the money. Of course, the profits going out of this country are counter productive. I'd rather seem the poor get a break than the billionaires.

Well they should after all they are part of the system and the most likely to run out and spend what they get. When you get down to it we all a break and why not start with those that need it most.

No. They should be given more education so they can bring themseves up to a level where they can earn enough to pay taxes like the rest of us.

Unemployment in Southern Oregon is 9.9%. My son is picking up odd and temp jobs as he can. He probably will not earn enough to pay taxes, unless of course his unemployment benefits, which are taxed, put him over the line. If we need people to spend money not save it, give the rebates to people who will spend not save. My son promises to buy food and pay rent with any "extra" money.

Why not? Congress has given billions to the ultra-rich. People making minimum wage or people that have lost their jobs are hurting and even that small amount would help them.

If the purpose of the rebate is to stimulate the economy, then those with the least should get them for sure. They are the ones that will put that money right back into goods or services. People that are better off might sock it away in a savings account......stimulating nothing.

Jack, A rebate is money we get back from what we paid into for something. . It should be called a welfare program for what it really amounts to for non taxpayers. They paid no taxes so why give them money back and call it a rebate. ITS NOT A REBATE! Those politicains should look the meaning up for rebate in the dictionary and call it what it is. They should read the new book out, POLITICIANS FOR DUMMIES! Pelosi is in the centerfold.. What a sight!! UGH!
Terence , Piscataway, NJ

No one should get rebate checks.They didn't help stimulate the economy last year,did they?

As a part of a true stimulus package, they should recieve something. However, calling it a tax rebate is a dangerous precedent. As it is, almost half of the voters in this country don't pay federal income tax. By giving them a tax rebate, we would be into blatent wealth redistribution rather than true stimulous to get those people earning emough to actually pay taxes. Better to find them jobs

I don't want the half of the people in this country who don't pay taxes to be telling the other half that they should be paying more. Or else, we might as all be carrying little red books.

No.

Jack, they're working...or they're seniors who've contributed. I could see if they were laying around on the couch...the key word, I believe, is earning. Not very cool, jack, and that's not like you.

Well Jack, you corpulent Alcoholic aficionado of left-wing CNN TV, the answer in within the question. How do you have a tax 'rebate' when there is no tax 'payment'?

How can you rebate something that isn't there? Call it what it is, a hand out. Sure, there are lots of people who don't earn enough to pay taxes, just like there are lots of people who make so much money that they get around paying taxes. Again, here is where the Fairtax Ammendment would solve this problem. Maybe it's just too complicated for the dolts in Congress to understand.

NO!!! If you don't pay any tax why in the world should you get a rebate?

Jack, a rebate is a return of part of an original payment. Therefore if you didn't pay anything to begin with how would you be getting a rebate? So no or address it as it truly is, a handout.

Jack, they may not have income tax withheld, but they have SS and Medicare withheld, so considering the situation in this country YES.

You know Jack, if people earned a living wage instead of minimum wage, which is roughly half of a living wage, your question might be moot.

President Obama promised those giveaways to his supporters, and as we have been reminded, he won. It won't help the economy much but it beats the other spending in the stimulus bill. My only question is why is Obama saying these tax rebates are a compromise to Republicans, when there were his promise.

No.

We need to stimulate the economy and those ain't the folks going to do it. If they earn too little to pay taxes – then they earn too little to spend $ to help. Sorry that sounds cold – but that's the way it is.

Instead provide programs to give them needed goods like food, heat, transportation vouchers... But no checks. They won't be spent on anything to help America.

Yes... they pay tax at the pump, when they buy clothes, and some food and drink.

Everybody is suffering to some extent... everybody needs a break.

Although, the GOP would rather see these low income American's starve to death, help is definately needed regardless of what it's called.

Yes, why should they be penalized because they have low paying jobs or don't earn alot of money. Why is it we as a society cater to the rich only?

Yes! As long as there legal citizens (no illegals period) in america,why not.

sure they should they will spend it unlike all banks that got bailout money so far we need 2 get a spark somewhere

justin greensburg pa

i believe that the poor and middle classes are paying more taxes than the rich..sometimes rich classes don't pay at all;they avoid the issue all the time..i see nothing wrong giving rebates to poor and middle classes because they earned it and they always play by the rules...it's time for the bush tax cuts to rise not stay where they are at because millions of people need a break not corporations or the big banks..why is everybody being so conservative on the obama administration now when they should have been on the previous crew?..i am really sick of this now..i don't have a problem giving tax rebates to social security or disability payments because they have to pay bills and take care of their expenses all the time..government can cough up money for the iraq war and big banks for a bailout but citizens of the united states can't get none of the funds?.what a joke !

I hope this question is a joke. Why should somebody that pays no taxes get a check back from the government? While we are at it why don't we cover their car payments, credit card bills, college tuition, and every other expense that they have. This doesn't give a person much incentive to work. I think you would have a tough time finding anybody that would think this policy makes any sense with the exception of the president, a person that doesn't pays taxes, and your everyday socialist.

Why do Republicans always balk at helping the poor? The payroll tax that these people pay is a much larger percentage of their gross income than wealthy tax payers who got the big tax cuts under President Bush. Maybe it's because the poor don't contribute enough money to Republican campaigns.

Allen
Mountain Home ID

the whole thing is farce anyway. It's not going to help anymore than the last one did.

Let me sum it up for the majority of your respondents: hell no.

NO:

If people don't make enough money to pay income tax then I would think giving them tax rebates would be of help unless of course people think they are so lowly they should be content to curl up and die in a ditch somewhere.

The bottom line is people are not going to simply curl up and die so it is only common sense they will do something to survive. That will likely include taking what they need from those that have and doing this shouldn't be that difficult with America's current gun laws.

I’m trying to figure this out, maybe Ali Velshi can help. What do people that earn so little they don’t pay income tax do? Everyone talks about them, but no one answers that important question. The reason it's important is because the idea of giving them rebates is the inverse of trickle-down economics and, assuming these are people who are productive and have a job that just pays exceptionally poorly, it makes sense. It's not charity, it's pragmatism. Give a guy who owns a million dollar business a tax credit – say a 2.5% tax credit ($25,000), and he won’t do anything with it. He won’t hire someone, not for $25,000. He’ll probably save it. Maybe he'll buy one big-ticket item like a Mercedes. Give a guy who earns 20,000 in a year a 2.5% tax credit ($500 – exactly what President Obama proposes) and he’ll spend it, probably at a local or small business, maybe even buy something from that million dollar a year business. So that business will stay open and keep people on its payroll. So the people who work there can go to work and whine about how their tax dollars are going to someone who doesn’t pay taxes. And the guy who owns it can complain that because of the "liberals" he can't afford that new Mercedes. And everyone stays happy.

Hopefully the taxes could be doubled for those whose fortunes are made on the backs of the people who don't earn enough to owe taxes.

I love free money but no. Stimulus Checks don't work. Instead of checks, create blue collar jobs. Poor people spend money like crazy. We need Jobs for ex – Felons, and people with lower education. A lot of our population is unemployable. We need to start buliding things back in America......... Remember When "Made in America" meant something. I Agree with Lou Dobbs on this... I want an American car made from American Steel, American Parts, and made by an American.....

Why is it ok to bail out filthy rich CEO's with $7000 toilets, and not bail out a single mom who works at McDonalds for minimum rage?

Isn't that the real problem? We worship the rich, and demonize the poor.

I say we should ONLY bail out the poor, and let the rich take care of themselves!

If it will lead to them Spending their money why not? Americans need to get back to spending in order to help drive the economy.

Indiscriminate distribution of tax money will only encourage more dependence on the Government. Tax rebate should be given only to those who pay FICA

Yes we should. We are retirees who don't enough to get anything back and we are suffering because we don't qualify for any of the programs. We are in the below poverty range but make too much for help. So we do deserve help from our government. I would at least like to get one of the rebates since we were passed over many times under Bush.

Jack,
It seems odd to me that people are getting tax rebates when they paid no taxes.. Isn't a rebate something you get as a reembursemnt for the purchase/payment of something? I thought it was . Then too I thought bonuses were what you got when you and the company you work for did well that year. Silly me.

Call it a tax rebate or whatever you want. Poor people need help. If we don't help them you can expect more desperation crimes and suicides. Our social fabric will become threadbare if we fail to act. It would be preferable if the wealthy would voluntarily help the poor, but we all know how that goes. The government (aka taxpayers) must carry the load to preserve peace and order.

Jack,

All the people who now earn anything or have earned it and are now retired or disabled should be given tax rebates as they have contributed their share based on their earnings. Those who are not working and have not paid into the system should not get any rebates. Basically the key word is "earn". If you have not earned it you don't get it. Simple huh? Now lets see how it works out in the real world.

Judie
St. Augustine. Fl

Why not buy them all a million dollar office space like we did BankAmerica/Merrill. Or perhaps a jet? I hear there's one available for a mere fifty million. If we give everybody one of those, that surely would spruce up the old economy.

You can't give a tax rebate when a tax has not been paid. The proper word is welfare and there is plenty of precedent for it. All of the corporations are getting tax breaks and less than 40% of them pay taxes. They want more tax breaks to allegedly create jobs when the large corporations are shedding jobs as fast as they can. At least individuals will spend the money which should create jobs. Most individuals would prefer to have a good enough job to be able to pay income tax. On the other hand corporations keep looking for ways to avoid taxes.

I've got a modest proposal. I suggest that all the talking heads on CNN accept the same paycheck as some one too poor to pay taxes. I also suggest they give up their lucrative pension plans and health benefits. I urge all the Republicans in Congress and any one reading this blog to do the same thing. As Shakespeare's King Lear said, "Take physic pomp, expose thyself to what the wretches feel."
After you've done that, ask this question again. What will your answer be.

Los Angeles

Sure. Why not. Give the poor money so they can buy products they don't need and make a factory worker in China keep their job for another day and a boss in China keep their job for life.

If we still had industry in this country our problems would be halfed. But no, nobody wants to talk about this because "globalization" is supposed to be sooooo good for all of us when it is not.

The problem with the whole rebate to taxpayer mess is that it's too little too late. Low income earners get back the Federal taxes paid, but not the Social Security taxes. They're below the poverty line and are having a worse time in this economy than most of us. I have no problems with them earning their rebate like most of us in the middle class do. I have a real problem with the rich corporations and individuals who helped create this nightmare getting billions while the rest of us are getting pennies. If Obama truly wanted to stimulate the economy, he'd reverse this trend and give us middle and poor class taxpayers $250,000 each and stop giving money to the rich. The middle class and poor will stimulate the economy by paying off our debts, including our mortgages, and by buying food, gas, and other necessities or paying for our children's education or paying for much needed healthcare. As far as I'm concerned, Obama's rebate is no better than Bush's, a slap in the face to the middle class and poor.

No they should not get a tax rebate....they don't pay income tax....transparency here...call it what you want but it can't be called that...how about calling it "free money to 40% of the people who don't pay taxes."

No tax rebate & tax cut. For 8 years, tax cut does nothing but less jobs and put more $$ in corporate CEO. Mr. Boun R-FL said the stimulus package is socialist, I don't think he know what socialist is because he is ian gnorant FL Repb.Rep. Tax cut and tax rebate are socialist too, Mr. Boun.

I agree with some comments: tax rebate should give to people who pay FICA not to people who don't pay tax & illegal Immigrants or people who on welfare and work for cash.

If someone forcibly took my money and gave it to someone else who didn't earn it, it would be called robbery. If the government does it, apparently it's called a tax rebate. What's next? Will they take my house and turn it into low income apartments?

Why not. Sen. Burris of Chicago fame, says that they'll take that money and invest in the economy. He indicated that they'll sun right out and buy computers. Of course, that's after the stop at the corner party store for their Lotto tickets.

This has been bothering me for YEARS.

People who pay little or nothing into the tax system, yet qualify for a "rebate" at the end of the year. How did they come up with that?

What it boils down to is NOBODY should be able to get a rebate that is more than the amount they actually PAID in. This means ending tax CREDITS entirely. I am all for various types of DEDUCTIONS... for various reasons. But... credits end up allowing people to get "refunds" larger than what the actually paid in. This nonsense needs to stop.

Once again... all the federal government is good for is moving money around from one group to another.

In the long run... a flat tax... or better yet a National Sales Tax is the way to go.... and get rid of this politically tainted money transfer system that disguises itself as income tax.

But... limiting "refunds" to the amount a person actually paid in... would be a start.

-Steve

Allowing "businesses" to pay employees so little that they can't afford to live off their income is corporate welfare. Tax payers pick up the tab for the support of their employees. The "corporations" that have the benefit of those people's labor should compensate them for it. That's what the Bible says and few people would call it wrong.

It's intellectually dishonest to call it a tax rebate, but it serves the intended purpose. If they spend it, it stimulates the economy; if they pay down their debts, it reduces the instability that's killing us.
The only reason to exclude them is a judgmental compulsion to reward success and punish failure.

Yes. My thought is that many who are in this situation are in it because of the failing Economy. If they could get a full time job.....they would gladly pay taxes.

We have to stop seperating the "haves from the have nots".

Look around us....the "have not" column is growing by leaps and bounds.

The bottom line is that we are all American's and we all have to have some money to spend to boost this economy.

This is not a new idea. Anyone who work and whose income is below living standard already get an EIC, Earned Income Credit,when they file their Federal taxes. So I really don't understand why the Republicans are so upset. The Bible says 'to whom much is given much is required'.

A rebate by definition is a return of a part of a payment. If they are not paying taxes then they should not receive a tax rebate. If the government wants to give away money for nothing, let's just call it a bailout.

Yes, as long as the are not dependents I didn't rea;ize that this was a consideration. .

Jack
Absolutely I dont know how these people are surviving to begin with. This can only help.

This question is too stupid to dignify with an answer, but I will anyway. DON'T GIVE MY MONEY TO SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T PAY TAXES!

Only people who pay taxes should receive tax rebates. most people who pay zero in taxes are receiving government help in one form or another which would make it double dipping. We should be fair to the people who pay for the united states to be free.

No way Jack ! It`s people like that, that`s creating problems for us wall street fat cat`s. How on earth are we to be able to renovate our office`s, afford our new jets and extravagant vacation`s, if you keep giveing it all to the poor. What`s a hot meal and a warm coat for a poor child got to do with keeping me happy.

I'm unemployed thanks to Wall Street, so yes I'm not paying any taxes today – but I surely paid enough taxes to enable various administrations to create the current debacle this country faces. So yes – I want my tax break and I want it now!

Heck NO! We need to practice the American way. The rich get richer and poor get poorer. Of course they should get a rebate and actually they should get yours and Wolf's as well since you people really don't need it.

Of course.

Yes! I think they should. Right now there are many people who depend on Social Security benefits alone. They need all the help that they can get. People like this who worked all their lives only to see savings lost and heartaches along the way that some people cannot even imagine. Needs the help desperately. These people will spend the money on things that they need to help them live. Therefore I do not begrudge them any money they receive. This class of people has been growing for a long time when it should have been decreasing. We need to look around and take notice, that we are fast becoming a nation of rich and poor like we did during the great depression.

For many years the very rich had loopholes and barely paid any income tax. No one said a thing. Now its time to give to our less fortunate and there's outrage because they didn't pay any taxes. What's wrong with this picture!!!!!

Jack, My wife & I live(?) on Social Security. Anything extra is used to help do our part & spend.
David

Jack–
Whether we taxpaying Americans like it or not, these non-taxpayers probably need the cash as much as if not more than we do. If we're going to have an economic turn-around for all of us, then all Americans should benefit and be in a position to stimulate the economy.

Troy, Ohio

Nope. Thats not a rebate...its a handout.

HD in Phoenix, AZ

There are families who earn just enough to pay their social security taxes, but not enough to pay federal or state taxes. These families can use some extra money to pay their bills. Rebate? No. Why not attach it to the bill the same way that democrats attached the pork they love so much. Google Murtha, and the rest under "pork."

By definition that's not a rebate. If you to do something to help the poor, give them a employable skill.

Yes they should get it. These are the people that earn mimimum wage and are trying to raise a family on it. Or the people that work part time because businesses won't hire full time employess so they won't have to pay them benefits. These are the same people that the Republicans don't think should get their mimimum waged raised while the Congress raises its own wage that the taxpayers pay. This is where compastionate conservativism becomes an oxymoron. The Republicans are the morons in that word!

Sure Jack, I am among them. I pay payroll tax and get some refund during the tax return period. I can afford to use some of that money ahead of the return. People in this category are those who are work hard while the CEOs sit in their aircondition offices and dish out orders. What's good for the rich is equally good for the poor.

The idea is to stimulate the economy right? It is a well known fact that people who have very little money will spend it right away. People who have lot sof money, will save it. If you want to jump start the economy, give it to the people who will do the most good.

Everyone pays taxes (payroll, sales, income). Most people are not worried about their grand Children, they are worried about today and tomorrow. A coordinated plan is better that a one size fixes all tax cut plan.

There is definietely a point in both extremes of the earnings scale where the bottom earners don't get enough breaks, and the same on the very wealthy side not paying enough percentage of their income. It should come down to living compfortably for the wealthy, why do they need so much more than average Americans?? Greedy rich people living extravagantly are as much to blame on poverty as anyone else.

Jack, YES, because they have probably worked all their lives and paid taxes regularly. Therefore , they should receive a rebate. HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT BETTER MAKE SURE THE REBATES DON'T GO TO ILLEGAL ALIENS. LIKE THE LAST REBATE.

Welfare payments,not tax refund checks. It did not stimulate the Economy before so why do the Democrats think it will again,May be it will buy them some votes? NO pay no play,Why should someone who did not pay any Taxes get a Handout from the Tax payers? because the Democrats want to feel good?The Democrats need to start looking out for the Tax payers and stop all this Welfare,in an attempt to create a Socialist State.

Why not. They're more apt to stimulate the economy better than the guys on Wall Street who've received hundreds of billions. The only problem is it will probably be China's economy.

Jack, . . . That bracket now includes half the country.

Jack,
Was very proud to see the majority of bloggers support the helping of those who are struggling so.
That is America!

The definition of rebate in my dictionary is "a return of part of a payment." So. If you haven't paid, it can't be returned.

Yes. So those non elderly people not working and receiving a "rebate" can go to Walmart and buy Chinese junk, lotto tickets, gamble at the local casino, buy booze and cigarettes, junk food, diet crap, big gulps, fries and woppers. Then go to emergency room to have their stomachs pumped due to a a drug overdose. Sounds jaded dosen't it. Wake up America!

Jack, . . . That bracket now includes half the country. (and still counting
layoffs).

Hi Jack,

If Congress would increase the minimum wage to a liveable standard, there would be fewer people earning too little to pay income tax and more people paying into the system. Yes, people earning too little to pay income tax deserve the rebate more than those people earning huge salaries. People with adequate income can cut back their standard of living without hurting–people with small incomes cannot cut back at all.

To Justin in VA. In response to your question concerning what people 'do' who do not earn enough to pay taxes: I am an dance teacher.

Countries without a social safety net are third world nations and banana republics.

People who are suffering for reasons beyond their own fault are human beings and as such deserve assistance and a chance to live.

Granted there are a number of people who keep advocating the less fortunate are bums and don't deserve help and we have these types in Canada as well. The only difference between these types is what they are called.

In the U.S. you call them Republicans and in Canada we call them morons.

why not! We gave billions to those that got us into this mess and they only gave out billions in bonuses, remodeled their bathrooms and offices. It's time to give back to those that really need it, not just to
buy goods but to pay their bills.

At this peticular time Jack, I'd say everyone should get them as there are a lot of people that have been unemployed and haven't made any money in over a year but usually have worked their full lives until these tough times. I'm one, never been unemployed this long, always could find a job.

I know that the GOP and their local surrogates have not only called this a new welfare state but also socialism, however, it also looks to me that President Obama, Jack, is applying biblical scripture, what you do even unto the least of these... Something the last "born again" Commander in Chief didn't think that HE needed to do. So, is Christ's teachings applied socialism? LOL!

Jack,

Why not, after all which person is more likely to spend the money the individual that has money to burn or the one that dosen't have it and can sure use the money for food to feed their families...

Central Islip, N.Y.

Only if they want the money to stimulate the economy and not lay in the bank because it wasn’t really needed. The one’s who aren't making enough to pay taxes, or pay little, will take it to the store and not the bank. Tax cuts never get into the system. It’s money that wasn’t needed to pay taxes and so it stays in the bank, gaining interest. You know the Republican economic plan.

Yes, since they are the very ones who need it the very most AND will be the first to put it back into the economy the soonest. Wheither it be in the grocery store, or the gas station, or to the landlord (who will then be able to pay HIS bills.)

Why not, the Bush regime gave billions of our tax money to companies that used it to lay off Americans and move overseas. Giving money to the citizens who will actually spend it here will actually help create jobs....Of course when the stimulus works it will hurt the reublican party, which is the main reason they're against it.

I can only say maybe. There are many who deserve it but there are also too many who expect it and really don't deserve it. Why should my tax dollars go to some one who just doesn't want to work and likes living off the the government. I suppose that might also include illegal aliens too which would really upset me.

“The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”

Marcus Tullius Cicero – 55 BC

Yes, Jack, they should. There are millions of the working-poor in our nation. People who serve (waiters) in restaurants, etc., who do work no one else wants to do.

My kids work through college as servers in restaurants, they depend on their tips to survive. Waitresses and waiters for example, usually earn way below the minimum wage. My kids earned $2.50 an hour. Plus tips.

All the working class and middle-class workers should get a break!

People who make more than $250,000, should have their taxes raised........ that includes my husband and I. We will gladly pay taxes to help our Nation back on the road to RECOVERY!

I'm divided on this one. You can't call it a rebate because they didn't pay it. However, it is probably better to give money to people who will definately spend it and it's certainly better than spending 200 million on new sod for Washington !!!!

Of course , with one rule they MUST BE here legally , and not have four kids on welfare . But un employed workers, geniunlly disabled americans , and other low income Americans deserve the same benifits as the middle and upper class . After all its the little man that moves the country forward.......or have we forgotten that?

Why not? Congress already gives rebates to giant corporations that pay no taxes.

Jack – If the wealthy have a certain portion of their income that they get "credits" for, why not the poor?

Oh – you must be one of "them".

The idea is to spend it, no matter who gets it. So let's don't pick and choose who, we all know who is going to pay it back , the middle class working people and we (the gift that keeps on giving) will break our backs, The real joke here is that this is not a new situation, this is the way it always is, it's just new money that we are talking about and it belongs to working class people to start with. Just throw it out the window and let everybody get a piece of the pie.

No they don't deserve the money, but banks that gambled away our savings didn't deserve the cash either. At least the people who earn that little will have their lives positively affected by the money. Personally, I'd rather have my money help keep someone in their home than install a more exotic leather onto the seats of their corporate jet.

Jack, That is the biggest oxymoron I have ever heard. If you don't pay taxes you don't get a rebate check. It's a rebate on the taxes you pay, right? I don't want my rebate check, just send me the $35,000 toilet that John Thain had put in his office. I would love to dump one down that toilet. It's like a medaphor for where the country is going.

NO, they already get foodstamps, free medical care, subsidized housing and in many cases welfare checks. The "TAXpayers" are the ones who supply the treasury with it's cash, they should not dole it out to those who don't contribute.

Why not?. We just supplied corporate welfare to the tune of trillions.. not billions, of dollars, without batting an eyelash.. why shouldn't average people, who really need a boost, get some of it too?.. I know that sounds socialistic.. but we are way beyond that now and people have families and no jobs and losing homes and have to live too. Afterall, it is the workers that keep America going.. and they need to keep going until there are decent paying jobs, again..

How can the president give everyone one tax relief and overlook the lower part of the economy who would actually be putting that money right back into the economy?

Whether you call it a rebate or a gift, it is money in their pocket, temporarily. Should I get a bigger rebate if I paid more taxes than you? Should the top earners have gotten tax cuts for the last twenty-eight years? Were they more "productive" or just bigger crooks? The underlying problem with mortgages, saving, spending, consumer confidence is that the bottom eighty percent of us are tapped out. Flat or declining income since 1981 has left us with no savings, more debt, no cash, and no wiggle room. Let it trickle up for once.

I say NO!
Giving Tax Rebates to people that don't pay taxes is like giving someone to-go box at a restaurant after they have eaten a free lunch.
As a tax payer, I have to make up the difference when I pay my bill.

Not tax rebates. The gov't just needs to confiscate corporate golden parachutes and CEO pay and just give it straight to those that don't make enough money to pay taxes. It's called "Just grab the cash trickle out of their greedy hands down economics". If they don't like it, we can push them off the top's of their building with an actual parachute made out of gold and see how long it takes to hit the street. It's only fitting they end their lives like the Wyle Coyote from The Roadrunner" cartoons since most of them ran their companies about as well as A.C.M.E. anyway.

We tax the deceased so I see nothing wrong with giving rebates to those who pay very little in income taxes.

Jack, my answer is yes. What alot of people don't seem to understand is that this 40%+ of Americans do pay FICA out of their paychecks. I guess some people think that these people are bringing home their gross pay. How ridiculous! 40 hours x $7.10 = $284.00 per week before taxes. I would really like to see the people against the rebate live on this amt. Think about how much the average rent, gas/electric/oil heating bill is monthly, water, auto insurance, trash pickup, etc. is in your area oh and don't forget groceries; then calculate if you can survive on that amount. It's called EMPATHY people.

Jack,

Absolutely YES! The working poor pay more taxes (as a percentage of income) than anyone else. I'm an employer, and review the payroll taxes I spend on employees. I look at 'labor costs,' and frankly, don't give a rat's betoot who I pay them too. I pay Social Security taxes, unemployment taxes to both the Feds and State, Worker's Compensation, and more. I'd just as soon pay my employees what I pay various government agencies. Think about it ... the working poor spend all that they earn, subject to sales taxes. All their earnings are subject to various withholding's. They pay more taxes than a high-end stock-broker before they even fill out a tax return. To deny them a rebate that everyone else gets would be border-line cruel.

Rick, OH

Jack, This isn't a time for hand outs for those not filing returns or retired... The 'Purge' that we are going thru will reduce some of our prices in time... What we need is to get people back to work, people paying their mortgages, and corruption out of our finances..

The $300 did not do what was expected of it. Government needs to work with Business to get our industries back. We need to make 'widgets' that the world needs, again.

Hell NO Jack! It's time the people stop taking their jabs at the low to no income citizens with attempts to continue to repress them. If we took care of our own, which this country has never done, The word "POOR" would never be heard. But we always worry about someone elses back yard and never our own. Give them a Rebate!

Let me see if I have this right: The people making over 250,000 a year should pay LESS taxes than they alredy are. And the folks at the bottom of the economic scale who work but at a minimum wage so all they pay is FICA, sales taxes, maybe property taxes should continue to get screwed. Just because you don't pay INCOME tax which I think is some 40% of Americans doesn't mean you are a deadbeat, scubbag on welfare. I fact i know they are not–those are the guys on Wallstreet who get the bonuses because their companies are afraid they will quit and go somewhere else. Where?

Doesn't matter, It's all to late. Bush has killed us all and got away with it!

Dear Jack,

I think we are reaching a level of incompetence or selective blindness or simply misunderstanding or just incoherence...we are paying banks and wall street with our tax money to fix the mess but not the ones in real misery...Not only do we need to help people in need at home but we need to invest in more education for them to get out of their misery...which end up being all our misery!

I'm poor, work and pay taxes and feel that I should get a check. If President Obama, doesn't gave us one, I hope he enjoys these 4 years.

No. I have been saying this for years. Let me explain one reason why I am saying this. Many men and women owe child support so all tax rebates are intercepted. Here comes a guy whose family is on public assistence and he owes mucho bucks in child support. He doesn't work much .....just enough to have to file a tax form. He paid $200 in federal taxes. He files for that rebate, claims all his children as dependants and also takes the Earned income credit. WE,the taxpayers now send him $3200 in a rebate which is applied to the support amount debt. Can you see how it is coming out of both of our pockets as we are already paying to support his family and now we are paying his arrears. Nowonder he is laughing at us !!

We bailed out wallstreet, home to the rich and powerful, how about a bailout for the poor and voiceless?! The corporate elite will fight this tooth and nail, they think our taxes should only go to pay for their miserable failures. Give the less fortunate a break, at least it would be a change. People only call it socialism when you give money to the needy, then call it a stimulus package when you give away hundreds of billions to corporations.

The GOP talks tax cuts.... is the way... well what about the people who have lost their jobs... tax on zero income is zero... My husband is a self employed contractor.. small business... working for 32 years... there is NO work... a TAX cut on ZERO income is ZERO

Yes they should receive rebates! They may not pay income taxes, but they certainly pay taxes. We have sales tax, gas tax, property tax,a tax to breathe in, a tax to exhale, a tax if you no longer breathe in or exhale.
Those who make the least are the ones who need the money the most., and the ones who are most apt to spend it! They will truly stimulate the economy! We can see where eight years of Bush tax cuts for the wealthy has gotten us, and that's what needs to be changed!

No they shouldn't. Now, I'm not opposed to helping those who need it, but I am opposed to helping them in this way. If they need food, increase food assistance. If they need healthcare, well I support nationalized healthcare anyway. If they need a place to live increase subsidized housing. I'm opposed to the government giving away money and then having no way to control how it is spent. It was stupid when they did it for banks, and it's stupid to do it for individuals.

If even one tax dollar is misspent it is one dollar too many.

So all the years that I have paid taxes mean nothing because I got laid off last year and didnt "pay taxes" – thats peoples reasoning for me to not get a tax rebate??!!!
And why are we calling this a tax rebate??? This is a Stimulus – meant to stimulate the economy by me going out and spending it on oh I dont know – groceries maybe!!!!

Troubling question, Jack. However, I think I'll go along with giving a tax rebate to every one only for the reason that we toss tons of bucks abroad to citizens of countries that never ever paid taxes to the U.S.
At least our people, regardless of income, do pay taxes on just about everything: gas, fast food or otherwise, utilities, etc.

Lancaster PA

Jack,

Here's an even better idea. The banks and other industries should fire their over-paid executives, and use that money to hire people who make too little money. With the obscene amount executives make today, mostly undeserved, we could hire a lot of people. We can call it a job stimulus package.

Larry
Portland, OR

No! As a person who has paid thousands of dollars in taxes every year of my career, I normally get a smaller refund than people who pay little or no taxes. I think the real "refund" would be to offer people with the aptitude specialized techinical training and job placement according to that training. Unfortunately, there are not an abundance of jobs to place these people. Ultimately, train the trainable, employ the employable, and tax the taxable. Get these people contributing to the tax base and they will deserve their refund, just not as much of one!

How about those of us who do pay our taxes but wind up having to pay more? Often, we have to dig deep to cover what our deductions didn't cover and then have to do without for our families as a result. If you don't make enough to pay taxes, you get all your IRS payments back anyway (assuming that you worked). If you didn't work, you're on the public dole anyway. Why should they play Oliver Twist and just beg, "Please sir, I want some more." at our expense.

To whom much is given much is expected in return.
Whatsoever you do unto the least of these you do unto Me.

Many people keep saying we are a Christian nation. Most of those saying it also rebuke the essence of what it means to be Christian.

The big kahuna parasite god of the Christian (sic) right has had it's eight years of darkness consuming America. Give the God of truth, love, and abundance a chance.

God is not a pyramid scheme.

Jack – The printer is warmed up and I am now ready to spit out the few million IOU's necessary. My problem is the postage, paper and toner. Anyone out there know if MY billion dollar bailout money shows up in the latest stimulas package?

Jack, passing out “free money” is never free is it? It always comes with a cost be it short term or long term. I would rather put these people to work and have those folks paying taxes. Let’s hand them a broom and a mop and get to work fixing this country. We should get something in return for passing out checks. How about 10 or 20 hours of community service in return for tax rebate checks? Two goals for the price of one!

I'm getting pretty sick of these holier than thou republicans. If you'll pardon the expression, I don't pay jack in income taxes. I'm self employed, and write off everything I legally can. Though my INCOME tax is low, I'll trade my self employment tax bill of ~$9,000 for most people"s income tax bill. I sure think I contribute enough to get a check, even if I don't pay "income taxes."

I paid into the system for 50 working years and never collected a dime from the government other than my pay when I spent 6 years in the US Army. I have no illegitimate children, and have never been convicted of a crime. My credit is excellent and I don't owe a penny and all my taxes were paid on time. Attention Congress: Keep your rebate and get your sticky fingers off my Social Security and Medicare.

A rebate is the partial return of money paid. If none has been paid there can be no rebate. This is a nonsensical question.

Of course a long with my free heath care and bonus stimulus check! I have been living my whole life waiting for the moment for someone to be elected who will give me everything I need in life for free! God Bless America!

They will be the first to spend it and not stick away some place
like a LOT of folks will. let's get it rollin

Allow seniors to withdraw their money upto $10,000 per year from their 401K tax free. In companies if seniors can afford to take a break from work for 2 years, then accept the layoff, so that the younger generation don't lose their jobs, and then the company should re-employ the seniors once again after 2 years. In this way if they are due to retire at age 65 then they can retire at age 67 instead. Banks should bring down the credit card interest so that people will be able to make their minimum payments, plus do purchases. Give rebates to low income families to the ones earning $25,000 or less, those people will go out and spend the money on necessities and in this way the local retail businesses won't close.

What does that mean? That's a fallacy of composition. There are people and businesses that generate millions of dollars and pay very little or no taxes. So, we give the tax rebates to those at the top and somehow those at the bottom will benefit? Sounds like something out of the old Republican economic playbook that has already failed.

Hell YES! I pay taxes and yet I'm tired of those who have stomped on the heads of the poor. Jack this country is full of greed and wealth. If we can give Citifinacial and all the other corupt banks free money, why in the hell can't we help those who have nothing? This makes me so angry that the Republicans have the nerve to even suggest that the poorset among us who are suffering.

They are the ones most likely to spend it.

Hi Jack,

In theory, it doesnt seem fair. I am a single 25 year old working full time and going to school. I pay ALOT in taxes, and hardly get a return back at the end of the year. A co-woker of mine, hes married with seven children, he does not pay anthing in taxes all year long and gets a VERY hefty rebate at the end of the year. The way I look at it, he struggles to survive all year long with seven children, give him a break.

iam sick of hearing people like those on social security don't pay taxes so shouldn't get a rebate check. lesson up . these people gave and gave all there lives, fought in wars, ect,ect, now they live at the bottom of the food chain, it's a disgrace how many of them are treated. they buy food , pay electric bill's and so on. the rich wish they would just go away. it's disgraceful............

Yes to rebates. Obama clearly recognizes there is a new group of unemployed who have no money. Those with money aren't spending it. The ones who worked and use to have money are the new people who don't pay taxes. They will spend what they get to provide for their familieis and this spending will stimulate. Unfortunately, we are bearing the burden of being BUSHED for 8 years and Bush and his rich buddies are holding on to their big bucks.

I for one, do not believe that tax rebates are a good "bang for the buck" when it comes to jump starting the economy, however, as long as this is "stimulus", then it is the poor who should get all of the alotted monies, as they will in fact spend it and not drop it in a bank account. The idea here is to circulate money.

The problem, is that this kind of stimulus, whether it go to the rich or the poor, does nothing to bring up overall economic confidence and the effect only lasts until next months bills come due.

To whom much is given, much is expected. It is time for the Government and all the Greed Geeks on Wall Street to think of those who were given little. There are those of us, probably 50%, who do not have average IQ's and are challenged in just getting by day by day, They should be the ones that are taken care of first. They do not get big bonuses, don't get to fly on corporate jets, or attend lavish banquets along with their boss, they do get to be first in the layoff lines, let them have a little bit back from the government who has erroneously stated that all men are created equal- they simply are not.

Yes, they are the only ones that have not had anything during the past 8 years. They pay taxes even if they do not pay income taxes and they get nothing. This is part of the problem. The rich and the well-born have gotten break after break under the Bush Regime. What's wrong with giving the poor just one break for a change? I know that is not allowed in the republican agenda, but lets' just ignore them for once.

Yes, Yes, Yes, except for those who voted for Bush twice and republican terrorists who deliberately sabotaged US economy to control people in Soviet style. These retards don't deserve a jack.

Ron
Albany, NY

Five hundred dollars for all the american tax payers is barely 750 million dollars. How do we stimulate a shrinking economy with that in the first place. Giving it to people who are already six months in arrears in rent, or 2 months behind on their mortgage just prolongs the inevitable for them. It's not going to make a difference in anyone's life or the economy so why give it out in the first place?

Remember 2001 when Republicans passed "The Biggest Tax Cut in American History" we were told that it would get us out of the recession, and create thousands of jobs. Republicans did NOT let the other party have any voice in that legislation, Democrats said it would do no such thing; it just would increase the deficit, they wanted much smaller tax cuts. Looking back who was right, how many jobs were created? Is the economy booming from those cuts? How did they work out? Are we going to listen to the Republicans ideas again, all they can think about is tax cuts that is their idea to solve every problem. Maybe we should give the presidents ideas a chance; we know where the other ideas got us!

Yes

Hey Jack, let's be serious, did a similar version of this rebate package work last year? Well I don't think so. I make less than 35k a year, and I would love (free) money. However, being that I am such a patriot, I will sacrafice the couple of hundred bucks for better use. I think I've contributed enough to the NYS Lottery!

How poor do you have to be ? People with good paying jobs are now lost to keep big companys profits up. I'm just saying got to have money to spend money right ?

The people who earn too little to pay income taxes should receive tax rebates. If they don't our federal minimum wage law should reflect a true living wage, and the Republicans should be ashamed of Ronald Reagan's trickle down theory. His theory was proved wrong many times over. Too many of the rich people are driven by the human frailty of greed, and the results of their tax cuts, obviously, didn't create more jobs in the long run.

Yes, they should be given tax relief. However, I think that if you were president and you were the main cause of this fiasco, you should not be allowed to buy a two million dollar house with servant's quarters. If you did you should be made to let the people you caused to be homeless live in the servant's quarters.

Good Lord, yes.
We could pay for a huge rebate if Obama would retire those darned tax cuts for the rich that have amounted to $1 trillion dollars during the span of the Bush years. The rich don't spend all their money. The poorer folks do. They are the ones who can best stimulate the economy.

Rich Green
San Clemente, Cal.

Hey, at least they will put the money back into the economy. Perhaps it will at least give them a little happiness in life. That would at least be a benefit to some other human being. We all need a little to brighten our day and I am sure that it would certainly brighten many of their days. They need it.k

Only if it's adjusted to match their tax contributions. If I'm paying $10000 a year in taxes, I expect to get a rebate ten times that of someone paying $1000 a year.

No !! you should not give your poor and unemployed any help......don't they deserve the worst . They are the ones who are in the middle of your true domestic terrorism, your health care system. You might as well kick them while they are down. While you drag our country down with you, why don't you give more tax cuts ... they DON'T work ,so you can screw everyone's economy even more while your at it.

Jack:

Taxes are taxes, everyone deserve a tax break. According to the IRS the filing limits range between $8,950 to $20,000, it's a little more convoluted than that, I'm just trying to keep it simple. So I am to understand that people falling into this range are not deserving of a tax break? You know this country has lost sight of what it stands for when we start believing that the poor are less deserving than the rest of us.

If we start casting out the poor because we believe they are less deserving then we are no better than these Third World countries that let their people live in abject poverty while their leaders live a life of luxury. The fact we let even a single child go to bed hungry in this country is a sad testament to the values of our society.

As long as they are reporting all of their income and assets. For those who oppose the rebate, I have one question. What has their religion taught them ?
Other advantages of the rebates would be 1. Fewer people under our welfare system and 2. more domestic spending to help our economy.

Yes. Those individuals are more likely to spend for need and not for frivolity.

Jack:

The truth is, black and white answers to black and white questions are simplistic. It's not a matter of giving a "rebate" to those who didn't pay taxes, it's a matter of us all learning, once and for all, that we're in this together. Rich and poor, middle class and otherwise. We need each other, like it or not, and the sooner we begin to act like it, the better.

Since low income people will be more likely to spend a stimulus payment, more economic benefit will result rather than giving it to high income people who will save it.

Ray Kinserlow
Lubbock, Texas

Sure, Jack. People who work full time at Walmart have expenses to pay, too.

yes but only to people who are here legally and to those republican idiots like limbaugh ,hannity&o'reilly they shouldn't get any tax refunds or tax breaks

Yes imn dissabled, my husband is without employment, and we cant afford meds food bills etc, were not alone there are many people just like us in this mess, first it was the house then our credit, why do these people get away with this, especially BofA, with the billions they have gotten from us already

Jack,

Little berry obama (aka the Messiah) wants to stimulate the economy by giving "tax rebates" to those who earn too little to pay income tax?

Cut the pc speak Jack and call it what it is: WELFARE!

The answer is no.

Yes, they should. But what about those government-certified disabled Americans and our elderly on SSI? Millions of Americans are in this category and they are forced to live at one-third of the poverty level or about $8,000 a year. This is a national disgrace! Most of these people work hard for most of their lives to make this country a better place for all of us and what do we provide for them? Barely enough to survive on and sometimes not even that. Every penny they receive goes straight into the pockets of the super-rich corporations – utility corporations, oil corporations, landlords, insurance corporations, food corporations, and the drug corporations.
Brownwood, Texas

They deserve equal treatment. And that means NO TAX cuts for any individual right now regardless of income. In the current crisis people will just save or pay off dept which will not stimulate the economy.

Instead use tax cuts for businesses, large and small. No, not a blank cheque the way the GOP wants it. Instead incentives to good behavior such as giving credit, hiring Americans, reducing outsourcing and using American suppliers.

Lets make it a mandate that the senators, congressional representatives and all elected official live on our living wage. Let them try to make a go of it. Child care, rent/mortgage, utilities, food, and take away all of their health care and give them exactly what we the people have. If they serve, let it be because they truely believe they are doing the right thing. Let us then see how many of these good patriots love our country, will put the country first and wallow in the mess they created and left us in. There should be a term limit on all these offices and no one should be allowed to own the seats and offices they hold. No one serves more than two terms, presidents on down. Keep them honest and if they do evil things that hurt the country, you notice I said country, they should be executed like they do in China and Saudi Arabia. Under threat of their life, they might fly right. Too many people are hurting by the selfish ways of both the Democrates and Republicians and those that have and the rest that have not.

People need jobs! Those who are working are paying taxes. When anyone buys anything that is taxable, pays taxes. Stop this nonsense now. Our country is financially going down hill. The gap between the haves and the have nots are growing wider everyday. When things and people, who do not have, get progressively worst, things will get violently ugly. These people, as well as others, need this money.

It just occurred to me, we are questioning the tax rebates for people who don't earn enough to pay taxes but have no concerns about the Millionairs and Billionairs who pay little taxes and get big tax breaks. Corporations, individuals, etc....tell me you are joking.

Yes, maybe a one time or another they paid taxes. You don't know what has happened in their life for them to have stopped paying taxes. What is $500 anyways to the billions the banks got to waste. I think that 500 or 1000 per couple is not quite enough. If they can give billions to the wall st. can you imagine that money divided among the middleclass making under $100,000 I bet you it would be a lot more than $500 per person. And I bet you they would beable to pay some of their bills plus go shopping.

I am constantly stunned over how people put ideology over the best decisions for the American people. Just reading through some of these shortsighted judgemental finger pointing 'conservative' comments makes me sick.

NO, they should not. People in that situation are already receiving in most cases fully funded federal and state assistance. If the fed wants to give them more money, then raise the amount of assistance they receive monthly from federally funded and state funded welfare programs.

While lower-class earners pay income tax at a level somewhat "substandard" to what the average American pays, in relation to their livelyhood it is a large amount and they deserve a break.

I'll answer that question out of a totally democratic mouth..YES

$10 a week for a year isn't much stimulus – less than what GW handed out last year! I'm not impressed.

Of course. Those are the people who need money the most. As Obama says ....we are the United States of America...not just the middle class and wealthy of America.

Mariaelena

Brunswick,MD

I paid taxes for 55yrs to retirement and you have benefited from my payments during your youth, so why do you thing we do not deserve relief too, now that we have retired. Shame on all of you, they have all ready stolen our money out of Social Security with worthless IOU
for their Pork Projects. When are all of you going to stop sticking it to the hard working Seniors who paved your way to where you are???

If the trickle-down theory really worked, then the money given to the financial system in Bush's bail-out, would be helping regular Americans. I am glad that our President wants to help those of us at the bottom. He believes that we, not just CEOs, are good enough to help rebuild a better America.

This package is so full of pork that a little more won't hurt. Why can't our elected officials just do something right for one damn time. They have just got to try and pay back the lobbyist that donate to their campaigns. What a damn shame

No they should not. If they are not making enough to pay taxes then they are already getting government subsidies from various local, state and federal government agencies and I would consider that double dipping.

I guess you don't mean people in low paying jobs who paid taxes for years but don't pay any now because their Social Security checks are too small. Maybe you should rethink the question.

Absolutely. It's not that they don't pay taxes; they pay all kinds of taxes, as others have pointed out. These are the people who need the money the most, and will spend it the fastest. Isn't that the point?

It seems to me that if the republicans could just open their minds, instead of just sayings taxcuts that would be a first step toward an agreement.

It may be a good idea to do the complete opposite of what the republicans think is best anyway. Maybe it'll actually do something constructive for a change. They had 8 long years to do what they thought was best, and look how that turned out. All they'll want is to do is take the money going to the people that really need it and hand it over to the wealthiest people in the country. It didn't work before, why would it work now?

The purpose of the stimulus tax cuts is to get money into the hands of people that will spend the money. Those people that pay payroll taxes will spend the money on things like food and gas.

I don't understand, if you are not paying taxes how can you get a rebate? wouldn't that be the government just giving you money. I wish the government would just give me money too. Tax cuts are good but they won't create jobs, that's where our focus needs to be. Stop giving jobs to people in india, make it painful for company's to outsource to offshore vendors and keep jobs at home. that'll stimulate the economy.

Jack,

Of course they should. They're suffering just like the rest of us, probably more. They desperately need the extra money and will very likely spend it quickly, which is what the rebates are all about in the first place.

Jim
Reno, Nevada

Think they stumbled on something very simple and possibly a good solution on the Daily Show yesterday. Instead of giving the money to the banks, pay down the citizen debt by giving the tax payers the money. If giving money to people making under $100,000 instead of the banks, they can pay down their debt and put money into the banks that the banks can use to make loans. SIMPLE ! Bottom up economy ... not the trickle down economy of the Republicans that they still don't understand.

Why not? They pay a higher percentage of their money into taxes, including sales taxes. I guess their need for money to buy groceries doesn't matter to many Americans that do have a job. Remember, you might be one of the unfortunate people that lose your job and could use any assistance possible. I guess there are those that believe that people should just starve in America.

The poor need it to not only the rich

Yes Jack, they should get a tax rebate also. Mega companies making billions a year pay less than $1,000.00 in Fed. taxes and get all kinds of tax credits. Those that do not make enough to pay Fed Taxes pay their share of every other tax so give unto them also.

There are states who do not pay taxes and still survive like Oregon. Until we have an across the board min. wage for all states.Those who make very little should not be subject to taxes, We are considered middle income and it is difficult for us after health care expenses, rent, car payments, ect.. We should do with out the IRS completely, they operate like a mafia.

YES Jack... because things are much harder now, also 15k is not enough for a college student to be denied for grant for higher education especially in NY, the last stimulus package i did not even get the full 600 bucks promised by Bush and his accomplices, in fact I think they owe me 300 bucks, the IRS better pay me back or I will make a Geithnering move on them....seriously congress need to hurry up if not it will be catastrophic

The only thing that doesn't make sense about this is that the American government has already made it clear that the only people who deserve government money are the CEO's of business' that put us in this mess and the bankers who profited from schemes they knew would destroy our economy. Why would they help the people who are suffering because of it? That doesn't make any sense! That's socialist. It's un-American. What are you Jack a bleeding heart Liberal? A Communist? A Terrorist? You must be if you are not attacking this idea with the most intense vigor. Oh, and don't forget to believe in God like the people who oppose this say they do.

jack i'm a 55 year old laid off miner,,,,, can you please tell me again how that miami waterpark is going to help me? so much for no more pork

Yes, there should be some tax rebates. I don't know who says that folk pay too little because they don't. Each time I see my mother's check statement I cringe at the taxes that are withheld from a CNA or certified nursing assistant that makes barely over minimum wage.

My mother who is retirement age has to work to support us because I am unemployed with health problems despite being a college graduate. I don't receive any benefits from a government entity, just her.

So if anyone needs a tax rebate or even a bailout it is people like us who just barely survive and are one disaster away from losing everything. There are many of us out there.

The only way there will be more jobs is if people spend more money. Let’s say there are 120 million families in the US. You give each of these Families $10,000.00 and not by a tax refund. This money will end up in the economy almost immediately. Local Governments will get their fair share thru existing taxes. Federal Government can tax it as income. Jobs will become available to handle the influx of sales. Suppliers will need to rehire. Manufactures will need to rehire. The economy has areas that need more attention then others. You can control which areas people spend their money by issuing electronic coupons in a Gift Card format. The Administration makes a list that families can choose from. This list would include the areas of the economy that need the most help. People could choose from that list and designate how much of the $10k they wanted on that particular Gift Card. Some families may elect to get only one Gift Card let say for a new or used Car. Others may choose as many as they want as long as the value of all the Gift Cards does not exceed $10k.

Absolutely not! I pay more in taxes than I can contribute to my own debt reduction (credit cards) or retirement. I'm unemployed and have been a few times due to economic circumstances. I don't see why its fair for me to pay more taxes and get further in a hole to help others. People need to take responsibility for own success. I already pay Soc Sec taxes and know I will never see a dime of that. enough is enough. Are we going back to tax & spend traditional Dem ways? Ugh! I thought change was coming!

Jack,

Im under-employed, thus I want 40 hrs a week and benefits, but Retailers want part time, pay min wages, and work you 15-25 hrs a week. Then hire 65 and older to even make it worse for younger workers. Darn right Ill take it!!

Anniston, AL

Why YES!!! That is a no-brainer!!!! I am one of those American citizens (amongst many) who earns little income due to the failing economy. And hey...Steve...it is not WELFARE. I guess it may appear that way to you, but for all the rest of us living in the real world, it is much needed.

If they pay any kind of tax,they are tax payers,and why shouldn't they recieve tax rebates?first,it's not their fault their employors are so greedy they pay small salaries,and pocket the rest for their lavish life styles;second,if they weren't paying the tax they pay,how would medicare and medicaid recieptants be paid?including John McCain.

Louisiana

If these people are making so little that they don't even have to pay taxes, they certainly deserve something.

Jack,

Yes we should. This country better stop seperating the haves from the have nots. And for those who say no, just wait until you're are the other end, then you'll change your mind.

No rebates. Instead, have a tax moratorium for 1 year where nobody pays any income tax, either personal or corporate, while Congress rewrites the tax law instituting a FLAT TAX with NO DEDUCTIONS, including mortgages. People will still buy homes because it makes financial sense as an inflation hedge. Corporations also should switch to paying a flat tax, it will simplify their accounting. In the meantime, that 1 year reprieve from paying income tax will help corporations keep people employed. People currently employed can use the extra money to pay down debt. Additionally, those already unemployed may have an easier time finding a job, even just a temp job, if corporations have more money in their budget as a result of not having to pay tax, even if only for a year. Yes, it's short term, but at least it's something.

Roland
St. George, UT

Jack: We are all in the same economic boat. America is suffering from Wall Street's greed and stupidity. Why should people who pay social security and payroll taxes not get a break from the stimulus package. This nation was taken down this road by mortgage bankers who made terrible loans and they knew it. The lower income citizens of this nation are suffering worse than the middle or upper income groups. " One for all, all for one"

John from Alabama

Lets see, I lost my job thanks to congress. Therefore I have no income. I still have to pay taxes for peoples children to go to school even after mine and theirs have finished. I still have to pay property taxes if I want to keep my home.I'll probably have to pay taxes after I'm dead.So to qualify for a rebate means income and not outgoing, I 'll say a prayer for those of you who says NO. Jim Logansport, In.

Jack,

Any money given just goes for property taxes and insurances anyway.
They want to help americans, just come into our house and we will tell you what we pay too much for or have to pay for. Cut those costs and that would make more a difference than any tax cut.

Same ole tax cuts and money to the top, Trickle Down Economics, Failed Policy since 1983

I think the term rebate is a misnomer, but the folks making the least are the folks needing it the most. I don’t have a problem helping people that are trying to make a life, with an honest job. Not everyone is a computer genius or a rocket scientist but we all need to eat and have basic comforts.

NOPE !!

Yes, these are the people who need the relief the most. These people would spend this back into the comunity, because they have no choice. Anyone who makes that little, has no choice, but to use this rebate to pay bills (electric, gas) and to purchase groceries.

Absolutely! My $950 does not go far enough when trying to heat the house and buy groceries!!

ABSOLUTELY! You do not get it. You want money in the hands of those who well spend it quickly and completely. That means the poor and the middle class...they will spend it (the rich won't). Forget about moralizing and concentrate on pragmatic solutions that work. Did giving the rich 80% of the tax cuts to the rich by George W. work? No, it and no regulation created the current Depression (and that's what it is, we passed recession already). It is unbelievable how ignorant the Republicans are. Ralph, Yakima, Wa.

Yes. We should give a check to all. If it makes people feel better then don't call it a tax rebate; instead call it a stimulus check – period. There are many people who have been working and got laid off so they may not gave paid income taxes this year. Honestly, are people that worried about giving a needy family a few hundred dollars because they don't feel like they earned it? Get over yourselves and God help you.

That is how our socialist president Barack Hussein Obama got elected. He essentially bribed the poor to win the election That was change. I think it is called welfare. How about covering their car payments, credit card bills, college tuition, and every other expense that they have. It won't give them the incentive to work. The poor who earn too little to pay taxes shouldn't get anything.

Yes, Jack they should.
I makes sense they clearly need the money & they will spend it.
It will help the economy as well.
We need to stop speaking as if they has a disease. Republicans specially & they are suppose to be religious. Love thy neighbor... or at least help them!
They are in an unfortunate situation.
Lets work as a team, JC

We need to pour money to the bottom because trickle down economics that pres Reagan started does not work.

Jack,
I walk a fine line with this question. We know that the money will probably blow through their hands and will not increase their standard of living. Their short term spending will be just like the Bush stimulus no lasting impact. However, the money would help short term needs, keep the lights, and maybe help pay the rent. In that case the following people should be considered. Elderly meeting a certain income level, or the documented disabled.

Everyone needs a little relief from this nightmare...except for those creeps like Limbaugh or the past administration or any right wing nut who slows us down at this time.

I wish they were fiscally responsible when they were in office. We would not have to take such GIANT STEPS now to make up.

I agree with Katherine above about making elected officials life on OUR kinds of wages. Let's get all those scoundrel CEO's to give back their zillions and live at poverty level.

Jack,

I forgot to say that REPUBLICANS never budged an inch when Bush was in power. It is our turn to put the country into place . Thanks to Bush and his thugs in Congress, this country is destroyed.....WE NOW ARE CALLING THE SHOTS.....NO BUDGING...NOT EVEN FOR BUDGING SAKE.

STEVE
MISSOURI

Yes. I believe in 'live and let live" That is the way things should work in these United States.

Yes they should Jack. President Bush gave Tax Cut to people who made way over $100,000 a year and who did not need it. The Tax Cut that was given to the rich did not help stimuate the economy. If the G.O.P. refuse to get on board with the program, they should just keep their mouth shut and be ready to lose their election when their time comes.

Everybody pays taxes. If individuals shudnt get any taxes, why pay? Whether or not we pay federeal tax sales tax social security etc...Poor people pay taxes and sometimes before a "poor" person can buy food pay bills etc...taxes are taken out of their paychecks! So why not give back to people who can barley make it but pay government first!

Jack,

The purpose of the stimulus is to get money into the economy! People who have an income so low that they are not required to pay income tax are barely getting by in the best of times and would most likely spend any tax rebate given them. This puts money into the economy. Besides, I'd rather see someone barely making it get some money than those pukes on Wall Street that caused this mess.

Yes they should be given a rebate. Maybe then they can afford a 1000 dollar car (if they are lucky to get that much back) that gets them from A to B and C if needed. Maybe then they can afford to schedule and pay for doctors appointment they that are so in dire need of because they don't have medical insurance. Maybe then they can afford to by their children the Christmas presents that they were not able to buy them on Christmas. Maybe then they can fill their refridgerator with food, something their children are not use to seeing, and they don't have to yell at them for drinking all the milk. Hell yea they(we) should be given a rebate check it that means one week of happiness for someone who makes so little.

I don't see any problem with the government directing money to those that are gamefully employed that scratch and claw to survive week after week. The problem I have is with giving money to American citizens...emphasis on citizens...that are able bodied but won't work. I must say, however, I don't approve of individuals or governments that spend more than they make or take in. I wish our government would adhere to that simple financial principle.

No. I'm cold blooded right now. In better times I didn't have a problem with giving breaks to those that have it rough. But then again how is is justified to give even larger rewards to the top one percent that are responsible for this mess.

Jack, it's been around a long time. It's called the Earned Income Tax Credit and it allows tax filers with very little income and dependents to actually get more money back than they pay. OK, call it welfare. But it's not new, it's been around for years so don't blame Obama for it.

Of course Jack people who earn too little to pay taxes are the very same people who will appreciate the money, and necessarily have to spend it. Why, because they need to survive. Unfortunately, we live in a world where people like to see other people be downtrodden, in order to artificially elevate their own status. Scapegoats! If we take care of the poor and downtrodden miracles can result, just look at the the life of President Obama, President Clinton, and many others.

Joe, Binghamton, NY

The GOP neocons are the loudest voice against such an idea–give money to people who don't pay taxes. They think that because the underprivileged don't pay taxes, they are not good Americans. They equate not having money with not working. If you're not working, you must be a slacker. Good God, what will it take to pry these people from their wrong thinking. People want to work. People want to be productive. Don't kick us when we're down. Don't think less of us because we don't pay thousands of dollars in taxes. We can't earn enough to pay for food, housing, and other essentials much less your damn taxes. Those politicians who cry out against this stimulus package in the name of fiscal responsibility just don't get it. How many tons of bricks falling on their heads does it take before they realize that they are wrong?

Yes, many will be our over 70 living on their SS who have fuel bills to pay, the working poor who don't earn enough to pay a direct income tax still pay taxes – all this lint picking by the Republicans just shows how out of touch they are with the poor from their States because they are too busy pandering to big business. What they could do is put a return envelope in with the check, any tax payer willing to return their stimulous check may do so, wonder how many returns there will be from the "Red" States!

Why not??? All the fat cats get one so why shouldn't they. The poor and middle class deserve it a heck of a lot more than the rich. The rich have been bleeding the economy all along and the likes of Bush, Cheney, McConnell, Boehner, etc are included in this group of fat cats. I would like to see anyone of them try live on the income that the poor/middle class get to live on. They would not last one day. The republicans only think of themselves and how much they can rip off the public. They have NEVER tried to help the little guy.

Jack,
WOW, it looks like you have ticked off alot of people with this question!!!!

It cannot be called a rebate if no tax was paid. Actually, I like the idea that someone put forth answering one of your other questions. GIVE each tax payer a one time $250,000 to pay off bills. Make it some kind of credit so it could not go to casinos and the like. It could be used to pay off mortgages, buy cars, take care of health care needs, college tuition, etc. Lots of folks would buy cars. I'd also limit credit card interest to 9% max, not the 20+ percentage robbery now going on. People could pay the card off and keep buying more to keep the economy strong.

yes, before I got laidoff fron the job i had for 22 years the taxes that was beign taken out of my check every week i should be able to get some of it back. And as far as jobs bring some jobs to tenn. All I hear is that should be more taxes maybe im wrong but all i get from the republicians is raise taxes to me thats to heilp they rice friend and not to help the low class people like me I pay enougt taexs now. I recieve 247.00 a week try and like off of that when you are use to makeing a lot more. Try and pay houe payment, buy food , pay heating bills, elec bill, I have cut off my phone, no cable, no cell phone this is like liveing in the dark ages.

If they made money off of anything other than welfare then they are the working poor. They need to get their withholding back plus a little to help them on the sales taxes they have had to pay for putting food on the table.

Jack,
I am retired and disabled, living on a very low income. Yes, I need the money and will spend it fixing my old car, and buying clothes and groceries.

Reagen was the one who started this and it has been proven that these people SPEND money far more than the rich. The rich hord it while the poor need FOOD!

Yes. The amount they are given should be enough to put them in a new tax bracket so they may participate in paying taxes in the future.

Send Checks not rebates or Tax cuts, People need the money now. Foegt about the banks,because they are going to do the same thing they did before,by hoarding the money

How much of the public exchequer do people who do not earn enough to file a return already receive through unemployment, welfare, veteran, unearn or social security benefits? If you file an income tax return and paid in taxes during the year.

The House seems to be trying to instill fear into people about spending in Obama's bill. Roosevelt increased spending during the depression to get the economy back on track. Once it was back on track, taxes were raised to pump money back into the deficit. This worked. We're tired of Republican fear tactics about big gvmnt.-cut the bull-pass the bill!

We retirees on the middle rung of the ladder need those stimulus check to pay for food, medicine and basics that our retirement checks won't cover. We have kissed our savings good-bye. So now should we start kissing our property good-bye as well?

Only if President Obama will agree to call it Welfare instead of a Tax Rebate, which is what it really is.

If they don't make enough to pay federal income taxes they should get twice as much as they are obviously underpaid by their employer.

Jack,

Of couse they should, the working poor need the help more than anyone else.

It is just more proof that the "living wage" is not.

yes... should be for each person that has a legal SSN ..regardless of job, or earned income. Some of the people who needed the last one the most were cut out.

Same'O Same'O

Working and middle class stupid! You know the one's the economy revolves around.

Stuck in the middle and forgotten again!

Of course they should. They need it to stay alive. If we don't help those who are hurting the worst, who are we really helping?

My instinct is that the less money a person is making, the more deserving of a tax rebate they are. But that might be the socialist in me talking – and we can't have that, can we?

No. If they make too little to pay taxes then they are most likely receiving welfare or living with relatives.

Yes please. I'm a wounded veteran, and I can only work part time. I don't make enough to file, and I was overlooked last year with the rebate. Its not always a matter of being lazy...

So...the Republicans think there are those too POOR to deserve a break? Ugh.

People who make too little to pay income taxes need some type of break, along with the rest of America. I am a full-time college student, which means I make around $2500 a year- not enough to require me to pay income tax. But I do pay other forms of taxes out of my very small income, not to mention find a way to pay for school. In this economy, even the lowest earners need a tax break.

Why can't you report more details of the Tax Rebate in question?
Like dollar amounts.

Jack,
It is not a perfect solution as I know it will be abused, but it is better than giving Paulson-Bush -Cheney etc a couple of Million or more each. We need people to buy the gas that the Big Boys gouge us on.
Dale
Illinois

Everyone is entitled to a tax rebate, so long as they are paying their taxes fairly and accurately. It's the people who cheat on their taxes or choose not to file that should not be entitled to tax rebates of any kind.

Well, duh! The premise for including tax rebates in the stimulus package is to get money into the hands of taxpayers so the can spend it and stimulate the economy. Those who don't earn enough to pay income tax will be the most likely to hit the mall and spend their rebate.

John in Vista, CA

Absolutely YES!

There is no way that anyone who doesn't pay income taxes should be getting a tax rebate... How can ANYONE, logically, get a "rebate" on something that they haven't originally been a part of - the INCOME TAX system...

Absolutely not! We all pay payroll taxes and those who don't have to pay income tax actually get benefits from those taxes. For those of us who don't qualify for any government services and pay our income tax, this is a slap in our faces. Welcome to a welfare state that is unsustainable and won't produce any benefit to our economy. This is another disappointing move by an administration that I (mostly) support. It feels a bit like a betrayal to those of us who work hard to help those who don't have similar opportunities.

Yes, they should get a rebate. it is a comment on a society about how we take care of the poorest among us. Certainly these folks need it more than households with high incomes. Besides, these people will be the ones most likely to actually spend the money, and that is what the stimulus package is supposed to encourage.

Dawn
Hawaii

I know when I have money in my pocket, I spend it! I think it will provide a short term boost and get some money flowing through the economy from the bottom up. It obviously isn't trickling down at all.

Yes!

Howard Moody Jr.
Troutville, Virginia

By definition, it cannot be called a tax rebate since they didn't pay the taxes in the first place. Call it what it is, a handout. We pay billions and billions to assist low-income people through present social services. This rebate only makes America a bigger welfare state.

Absolutely not. Instead of handing out cash to lower income people, give them a form of credit such as health care, social security and medicare credit. This is better than giving people a blank check.

I can't believe that they would even consider the idea. Call it welfare stimulus.

I agree if someone doesn't make enough to pay taxes, they should get a rebate. These people are paying by contributing to Social Security, property taxes, etc. I would just want to make sure those people are also US Citizens.

It depends on where they Spend your Monies... If it is Used for a Vacation to Mexico? You can bet most of it won't be spent Responsibly..

Absolutely! Give these poor people my tax money, because they need it most! Isn't this stimulus about getting our friends and neighbors out of poverty?

Absolutely, yes. In a poor economic climate we want to give people the tools necessary to better help the economy. The incentive can get someone on their feet, so that one can make money. In return, they make enough money to pay taxes.

Give a little, get a little.

Earned Income Credit has been around for many years, so this is nothing new.

I have no problem with people who actually have a job getting some of the hidden taxes back, I do have a problem with the current situation wherein people who are able bodied and don't work get thousands of dollars every year in tax refunds for taxes they never paid.

Who is paying attention to all tens of thousands being laid off? After my 8 year anniversary I was part of a major lay off. I have been paying my taxes and social security since graduation. Am I now going to watch as all the others who are fortunate to have employment receive a break while I scratch and pull at any corner to land a job?

Of course! Everyone pays. Renters get higher rent when owner's taxes rise. The people who don't pay much tax from the lower echelon of earners will definitely spend the money-probably at the grocer's or gas station or for a newer winter coat from Goodwill. The money won't be enough to save. They are the ones who need it the most. I am so tired of Republicans grandstanding with all the answers. They had their shot and look where we are!

This is a stimulus package. These people will immediately spend the money and there is nothing more stimulative than that.

Yes! That's the whole point of giving back to the poor what has been robbed from them by the rich all these years in cheap labor.

The point of rebates is to put money in the hands of people who will spend. Earners below the minimum tax level will definitely spend whatever they recieve. They should receive the rebates.

If people are paying Social Security, Medicare, Real Estate, Sales, and other taxes – and do not earn enough to pay income taxes, then they need the tax rebate more than anyone else. I agree with President Obama on this issue.

Absolutely. If you make so little that you do not have to pay income tax then you are indeed in sad shape. I think that not only should they receive a tax rebate but the rebate should be higher than what they pay in taxes overall so that hopefully they can survive.

Of course they should be included! They are the ones who need the most help of any Americans. In this new era, it should be a point to reach out and really help EVERY American.

Just three little words! DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS!!!!! Tell Mitch McConnell !!! Stringtown, Ok.

NO ONE SHOULD BE GETTING A REBATE!!!!! I voted for the man but this country can not afford to give tax rebates. Im a middle class worker and I dont make a 6 diget salary. I took a lose on my house and im struggling too but how much more money can this country barrow??? If we must give rebates than make it some type of goverment gift card. Then you have to spend it in the stores and some product will start moving.

Sure, why not. If things keep going the way they are, I won't be able to pay income tax either.

These tax rebates did not work during the Bush administration, and they will not work now! No one should get any money. What we need to do create jobs so more people can pay taxes.

To those who say no, you are blessed. I have worked and paid taxes and FICA since I was 14. I reared three good citizens who are financially successful and pay a lot in taxes. I was working when I was declared disabled. I live on social security and a very small pension. I have friends who live on low incomes are on welfare and food stamp, and Medicaid. All would be happier not to do so. Be joyful if you have been more blessed.

Tax rebate? Call it what it is–Welfare.

I am a disabled American on Social Security. The amount I receive puts me in a poverty level income. This income that I receive does not reflect the inflation of products, medicine, gas etc... That I still have to consume. Although I pay no income tax, I do still pay the same tax on all other products including the imported ones we seem to only have available.
I would love to see us save our revenue by stopping giving it out to all other countries right now and TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN for a change.
When your broke giving handouts to other countries is simply PRIDE and ignorance.

Jack,

The working poor are already subsidizing the economy by working for less than a living wage.

Of course they deserve a rebate. And they will pump it all back into the economy to stimulate the multipier effect.

Bill in Charlotte NC

Yes! Give the people at the lower end of the earning scale a rebate, they will definitely spend it, it will go into the economy immediately.

Question is do everyone need a rebate, send me a form so I can return it telling you to spend the money some other way. Everyone is not out of work and to give them a rebate, it would only go into a saving account.

If we hadn't exported our jobs overseas, we wouldn't be having this conversation

In a word; NO!!! ANd yes I heard what Wolf said, they pay Social Security Taz, and sales tax....well we all do...This is like the $500-1000 we ALL weer going to get but yet, what it actually says is if you are homeowner who doesn't itemize.....Again more for those who pay little to nothing in tax.......Socialism is opon us and you two are full fledged supporters.......

The people that don't make enough to pay taxes are the ones that need the help the most.After all,many of them used to be middle class, now they are the working poor.

No, No a thousand times no. This is welfare, a true hand out. This is the time to talk about flat taxes, lower taxes for everybody. All business and personal taxes. that will more permanently give them a stimulus, not this one time check that everyone will quickly blow.

Of course – the Republicans are against this because they believe in trickle down; let's have a little trickle up for a change.

Yes, what about all the sales taxes we pay , like on
food, soda, gasoline, clothes, crayons, light bulbs, etc., etc.

Incidentally, now that President Obama has shown us
how a real president should act we are realizing that
we have not had a president for eight years. No wonder
the country is in such bad shape. We knew Bush was
bad, just not exactly HOW BAD. Pathetic would be a good word.

Yes, they should. What on earth has happened to our sense of Judeo/Chrisitanity? As a nation we need to take care of each other. If we don't, we all will suffer.
Sue Doherty

Yes–giving it only to people who pay income tax is a sure way to ensure that only the more privileged and well to do among us get to participate in the recovery. One of the main problems of the last 8 years was that policy was skewed toward those who already had more than enough.

The wealthy received their big tax breaks with Bush and they didn't need it. So, yes give it to those who could really use it this time.

yes, for another reason that i haven't heard mentioned, in accounting class there was a group of unemployed who had been employed and were not able to find a job due to a scarcity of jobs available. well we're there now!!

Tax rebates are needed by those who make too little to pay income tax even more than those who make enough to pay income tax. People seem to forget that most of us are only a few pay checks away from homelessness; try walking in someone else's shoes.

They absolutely should Jack.
Whatever happened to equality. People who earn too little contribute to this economy just like you and I. The stimulus money is to shake up the economy and it should go to everyone in the country that spends money.

Taxes are taxes. Everyone pays income taxes when they work, regardless of whether they get a full refund a year later.

It's always bothered me that our tax system was set up to be a temporary funding source, and it's been extended for a century. Giving us back some of our money is the right thing to do, especially since the government keeps the overage interest-free for over a year, and so often wastes the money it keeps.

Seriously, how little does one need to make to be exempt from income tax? Are we talking about people making a four figure salary? These people pay payroll taxes, fica, and lets not forget sales taxes. Do we really begrudge them help at the same time we have some Republicans calling for greater help for the richest Americans and when we have spent the first half of the first bailout primarily to aid the wealthiest?

Cut them a break and let's revisit this issue after we come out of the recession.

Jack

The Republicans have once again demonstrated their cruel selfishness and disregard for the (finantially) least of us. Of course all working folks should receive the rebate

Kent Fuller

i feel that every one that is effected by this recession/economy crisis should earn a rebate,regardless to what kind of tax they may or may not pay. joyce of west memphis ar

Jack Absolutely they should. As President Obama has stated these working poor pay social security and medi-care taxes. I know many people who work in the service industries who work for slightly more then minimum pay. So in homes that support the most infirm among us, cleaning, bathing clients, administering medications, and the general care and welfare thease incapacited human beings require. They are compensated poorly and need every cent they earn. These are the people most deserving of receiving a distribution of this stimulas package. They will immediately spend this money. And this is what we need. People who will of necessity immediately spend. Tom Blanding Utah

Yes. If you want true economic stimulus. Our economy relies heavily on consumer spending. We've tried supply side economics during the 80's and the last eight years. I think it's time for some true pump priming. It certainly can't hurt at this time.

Jack,
This concept is fundamentally flawed. This is essentially giving these people a double credit. They don't pay taxes and they actually get a refund? In retail, you have to spend first to get a refund. Does this mean that I have to continue to pay first so they can have welfare and second to support their tax credit? It seems like taxPAYERS are footing the bill yet again to further support people who are adding nothing to the economic system except another demand.

Yes they should get a rebate check! The ones that shouldn't get one are people making over $200,000.

Hi Jack,
Like Obama has said these people (more than any other) will spend the stimulus. As an example in the past year toilet paper has gone from $4.99 a twelve pack to $6.50 and this is when it is on sale – (it's the only way to afford it.) When you're on a limited budget to begin with, how can you cut your expenses more? You can't even get a sears catalog anymore. What to do, What to do

Ruthie from Charlotte

Jack, whether you write a check to the feds for income tax or have the money sucked out of your paycheck directly by your employer for remittance to the feds the money is still not in your wallet. Income tax = payroll tax it is a distinction without a difference as far as i am concerned.

Rego Plesset
Raleigh NC

Anyone paying all their required taxes should be eligible for the tax refund. Only people who are avoiding taxes for various reasons should be left out.

Jack,

I am a college student who is struggling through the rising financial costs and state-slash-budget of college while being laid off the part-time job. I have gone disabled since a year and still have NOT registered for disability benefits. I hardly made anything last year, but I did pay my part. I am barely floating on the water, therefore every financial source is crucial for me to stay alive. I think you know the answer now.

-Josh S.
Jacksonville, FL

If the government wants to give tax rebates to people who don't even PAY taxes, call it what it is: WELFARE! Haven't they rattled the treasuries of their federal and state governments enough with all handouts they get at the taxpayer expense? Between food stamps, section 8 housing, medicaid, free breakfast and lunch for their kids at school, and who knows what else, perhaps they need to be giving the taxpayer a rebate.

Dear Jack,
I know it's a shock to the hard right rump party otherwise known as Republicans to encounter tax cuts that are not targeted like lasers to benefiting overwhelmingly the wealthiest 1% of Americans.

It's time Congress started to pay attention to helping people who barely scrape by, and pay a much larger percentage of their meager incomes in Social Security taxes, property taxes (unless they have already lost their homes), Medicare tax (since we stand alone as a rich nation that doesn't supply health care as a right to all citizens).

We now have a president who understands reason, and has read the history of our last Great Depression. The public agrees with him, and if Republicans continue to play Herbert Hoover redux, they will fade deeper into the minority.

Unfortunately, it is small comfort to think that some of them will join the swelling ranks of the unemployed.

Jack, yes we should, we spend our money in the communities we live, that's the 95% of us that really live check to check. The other 5% won't help.

Cafferty, People who pay any type of taxes to the federal government, should recieve tax cut are a rebate check. When President Bush sent out the rebate checks there was no question ask who should get a rebate check.

If they work and having taxes taken out of their check yes they should
get a check

It makes absolutely no sense to give someone a rebate on taxes they have never paid. But then it did not make sense to name someone Secretary of the Treasury, an agency that oversee the IRS, who failed to declare his earnings while working for a government-sponsored agency.

As a percentage of income, the poorest among us pay the most in taxes even when they don't make enough to pay income tax. The Republicans are showing once again that they are the party of the rich.

What a no-brainer question. CEO's were given money apparently to do million dollar office renovations & buy jets. What's the harm in granting money to people who REALLY need it & would probably use it much more wisely?

Income tax credits for those that don't pay income tax??? Isn't that what EIC is for? Doesn't the stimulus plan is to also expand EIC??? Looks like to me if you don't pay income tax you are going to get to double dip on the the stimulus. Doesn't seem right to me.

The people who do not pay income tax do pay other taxes, and also they are the ones most likely spend their tax rebate. Those who do not need the rebate will stick it in the bank. So yes they should get a rebate

Whats amazing Jack, is that some people will say no until a loved one or them themselves become the victim of this recession and lose their job and their salaries. I'll bet their stories will change then and their hand will be out wanting some relief.

Not paying taxes is enough stimulus. I'd trade them my stimulus check for their tax status any day

My son who is 15 years old got his first job last year. According to my calculations, 18% of his paycheck went to taxes. 100% of his net income went back into the economy, almost immediately. It's the people that make the least amount of money that spend it, so I say yes, he and everyone else in that bracket should get a tax rebate.

These people don't want mere change in their pockets through tax cuts and rebates. They don't want fish, they want tools so that they can fish.

Yes, they should received the rebate. In one way or another they are paying tax too. I worked two jobs for fifteen years. Because of illness I had to go on social security. I did not receive a check last year because no tax was taken out of my S/S. But, for fifteen years I paid more than most people did that received the rebate last year.

You want to stimulate the economy, so business can start to flourish? Who better to give the tax money to then the ones that would use it up 100%. The people that do not pay any federal tax but pays payroll tax.
The more you give them the better and the faster our recovery starts.

Jack, I think it is only fair that people that don't pay income taxes be given tax rebates – after all, they pay many other kinds of taxes, so they should certainly be entitled to receive rebates like every other American.

I absolutely agree Jack. I lost my job in July, and have been struggling to find a steady job since. While I made enough to not be in this bracket, I am afraid that I could fall into this bracket this year. These people are the ones who need help as much, if not more, than other groups.

many people work very hard and end up not paying income tax because they earn so little; but they deserve a stimulus probably moreso than anyone else for the very simple reason: they spend more of their money (rather than save)

I think every hard working american should get ten grand each , that would do more to spark the economy then giving it to banking and or construction companies working on public works projects which only benefit a small sector of the american work force.

Jack once again you got it wrong. This is clearly not a tax rebate it is clearly income redistribution. We all pay the same takes but now the president is going to take money from folks who pay income tax and give it to folks who don’t. Plain and simple. How many times in history has this philosophy clearly shown that it does not work.

Yes. I am a poor student struggling to buy groceries and put gas into my tank. I pay into social security every paycheck, even though odds are I'll never see the money again with social security going the way it is. If I have to sponsor a senior citizen out of a $400 paycheck, why can't I have a rebate, too?

.
NO ONE SHOULD BE GETTING A REBATE!!!!! I voted for the man but this country can not afford to give tax rebates. Im a middle class worker and I dont make a 6 diget salary. I took a lose on my house and im struggling too but how much more money can this country barrow??? If we must give rebates than make it some type of goverment gift card. Then you have to spend it in the stores and some product will start moving.

Ft Lauderdale, FL

President began his campaign with the idea that we are all Americans and seeks to commit us all to the responsibilities and benefits of being so. Just as we all must (and should) meet the responsibility of paying our taxes we must all benefit from the returns of having done so. In addition, this isn't a "welfare" matter. Any economist with a year of study will tell you that those that President Obama seek to include (in spite of the fact they do not pay taxes) will contribute the most to stimulating our faultering economy. The epublicans need to get over ideology and become the Americans we sent them to congress to represent.

YES!! Those who are barely scraping by in this economy will benefit the most. And they will spend what they get - not just stash the money away. Everyone tells us the key to getting out of this mess is increased spending..

The very fact that people would get a 'tax rebate' indicates that they pay some sort of 'tax' !!! Of course tax rebates should benefit all- and especially those that happen to earn at the lower end of the bell curve, whether they pay 'income' tax or not!!!

Adding relatively miniscule amount of national debt in return for even the slightest lifeline offered to the least financially fortunate ones amongst us – is a no-brainer. Absolutely YES!

With Obama all the way on this one- Stand your ground Mr. President., and kudos to you.

All I can tell you is that my daughter was a recepient of the "earned income tax" benefit when she was a single mother of a six year old son. It saved her life that year, and helped her make it through so I don't begrudge "the working poor" a nickel
Katie.

Jack, who else is more likely to spend whatever little bit they get and thus stimulate the economy? These people need stuff, and their spending would not be delayed. There's only so much one can eat, and those who are so lucky as to have enough might stuff the stimulus in their mattress. Poor people have needs to be met. I say we can stimulate them first.
Carolyn - Rochester, NY

Why should anyone get anything? If anyone is in trouble, it is because they made some poor financial decisions, the taxpayers should not be responsible for their poor decisions.

The Republican's in Washington are part of the reason we are in this jam, why would anyone listen to them? I am a registered Republican, that shames me, but it is true.
Any American, that pays taxes, be it Federal or FICA, or any other taxes deserves a rebate. Just because they are not making enough to make them important to the Republicans, does not mean that they so be left out. I am proud to have voted for President Obama, and I am glad he will stand his ground.

Well Jack, The yes vote has spoken loud and clear. No matter how many Hell No's! you read on the air. Only the poor and middle class have to pay taxes, for us there are not many loop holes.

Jack,
Whether or not anyone has worked enough to pay taxes toe get a stimulus check, if they have not paid in enough their check should be smaller than ours whom go to work on a daily basis. Thats the same as someone applying for social security disability, and has never worked a day in their life, and get it. What about the Americans working everyday and are still in danger of losing their homes, how is this stimulus plan going to help them? Or our Veterans returning home to foreclosed homes, how is a small check going to help them?

Leslie
Washington DC
Retired Veteran

If President Obama is going to establish a 'tax holiday' where everyone benefits on a week-to-week basis, then those who contribute payroll taxes should qualify. But, don't give a credit at the end of the year to those who, because of their low incomes, ultimately do not pay taxes. This is another 're-distribution of wealth' scheme and should just be called welfare.

If someone is earning too little to pay income taxes they are exactly the kind of person who needs a rebate check. This economic recession affects those who have the least the most!

Yes. We all pay taxes in some sort. This is the quickest way to get money into the system. We may not pay income taxes but we are in need and we will spend it and not buy CDs or Stocks.

Yes everyone should get some relief from the political blunders of the
republican party.

The people who need the rebate the most are the one's who don't make enough money to pay income taxes. They are the persons without credit cards and checking accounts who will put cash directly back into the economy. They are the ones who will immediately buy the basic staples of everyday living...food, baby and children items, car payments that directly impact the bottom line. They will not hold onto to their money because they are rapidly falling off the cliff and need the tax rebate to hold off bills.

I heard that Congress is giving itself a $90,00 a year pay increase. Is this true. If so, we should impeach everyone of them who votes for it. If they get 1 cent, theyre not fit to govern.

I don't understand why everyone is worried about the working poor getting something to help put food on their table. After all the money those big bank boys received for their fancy parties, big bonus' to put in their off-shore bank accounts, selling their mansions to the wives for $100.00 and all the other perks, don't you think it's something of a crime to moan about the working poor?

Here is where the greed comes in at the "peoples'" level. Seems alot of people get mad when those with less are in line to receive something like they didn't earn it. You pay...you get paid. I think some are splitting hairs.

Well the rich have been receiving rebates under George Bush and most of them don't work they just remodel their million dollar offices!

Although it's different in Canada, looking from the sidelines I think those with low incomes should be given a rebate cheque to help them through the hard times, but if it's only for them to go out and spend it all being left with again nothing, continuing the vicious cycle, I'm confused how this help them in the long run, or the countries economy either.

It's like giving to much gas to your engine, you think it will start it but what happens- it floods it, then doesn't start.

If the low income families get rebate cheques they should also contain an insert on how to utilize it the best. President Bush already proved pumping in money to people's pockets like that didn't work. This is going to be a slow recovery process, if anyone tries to speed it up without looking at the possible long term effects or have a plan B if plan A doesn't work it could cause a bigger disaster and a country divide.

Just my thoughts, opinions and questions.

Stay Safe

Yes. Where is our compassion? These people make and have so little. Most people in the US are totally unaware of how hard life is for those earning so little.

congress/senators men and women who want to cut the poor out of the stimulus package because they dont contribute, it's sure seems to me I pay list of taxes as long as the distance between planet earth to uranus.
The Goverment needs to stop bailing out these banks and corporations without us being share holders,
I'm tired of hearing this myth Socialism/Communism, were America and we abide by a Democracy, ok, were the closest thing to a real Democracy is more like it, Or maybe it catering to a select group of people .

One last thing, I thought Rush Limbaugh went to rehab and was off drugs, for him to make a statment "he hopes President Obama's policys fail" is Anti-American.
just sounding off, TY. sOsDidit

Jack, surely we can spare the "poor folks" just a little piece of the

bailout pie if we can afford the Fat Cats in the banking sector billions

so they can give billions in bonuses and $35,000 toilets to

themseles.

Jack – I paid income taxes for 50 years. Just because I'm on social security and haven't had enough income to pay any taxes for the last five years, should that make me ineligible for a rebate?

I should say so. I am one of those who pay little income tax, but that is only because I spent the last four years in college. I also worked during college and now that I graduated I have no job. Should I be omitted because of this temporary reduction of income? What about all of those years I paid taxes, social security and medicare from each paycheck when I did work full time before going to college? A real stimulus check would be higher for lower income people and less for medium to high income people. Those of us who for whatever reason have had their income reduced should not be penalized. Our bills are the same as when we were working. And make the rebate substantial–$300 is nice but what can one really do with it. Make it $1000. for a single person, $2000 for a married couple and so forth.

The purpose of the tax rebates is to inject money into the economy. This petty squabbling over who "deserves" a rebate is irrelevent. If people contribute to society and pay taxes other than income tax, then there's nothing wrong with giving them a rebate. This is a distractive ploy by Republicans. It's meant to create an aura of doubt around Obama's stimulus plan. Once again the GOP is showing it's true colors: for them, politics trump the peoples' business.

If they earn too little to pay payroll taxes they are probably the ones who needs the tax rebates the most! I fully support President Obama on keeping a firm stand on that. I am disappointed however that the amendment to the bankruptcy code allowing mortgage cramdowns was removed from the bill that is being voted on today. I'll keep my fingers crossed that HR200 is quickly passed!

I am a college educated social worker. Almost every client I work with on a daily basis meets federal poverty standards. Impoverished populations are entitled to dignity and respect same as the elite, but many of them either lack the understanding or don't feel it is important to learn that dignity and respect are earned, not given. When all Americans including bureaucrats in Washington accept respect is earned, America will be a stronger country.

It's a TAX rebate, not an INCOME TAX rebate. Why not give it to those who earn too little, unless you're trying to teach them some hard suffering lesson of loss and greed? Would it be better to just let it sit in a wealthy person's bank account? How will that help the situation?

Yes. Thos on the bottom of the earings ladder need a stimulus as much or more than the rest of our economic society. A simple and very fast way to accomplish this is to immediately eliminate the social security tax for the next 10 to 20 thousand dollars of earnings.

Jack I don,t have a problem with that provision, we've been paying the salaries of congressman for more than 200 years, they produce little or nothing, what's the difference.

They definatly should get a tax rebate. They will definately spend it boosting the economy. And maybe it will help improve their lives so someday they will make enough to pay income tax.

Yes and Yes. It is right to give these people a tax return. Unlike the illegal aliens at least they contribute to the system. As usual the republicans only want to give the tax breaks to the top 2% of earners. When the bottom 2% probably need that money just to eat or pay a bill to stay in their houses. And do the republicans really think these individuals want low paying jobs? Kudos to Obama for standing his ground on this issue and hopefully he can whack the republicans in the head and wake them up. THEY NEED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why is support for "the least among us" always met with question or ridicule but support for those of us who live in reasonable comfort is considered good for the economy? The last time I checked they are trying to support families by paying rent and buying food and clothes. If you include the taxes they do pay, some of them may have a higher tax rate than some of our millionaires.

Jack,
I love you and I watch your show every day. But, only a person who has never had to wonder where their next meal would come from would feel a need to ask such a question.

Yes, they should be given a tax rebate because they sorely need the help after eight years of declining or stagnated wages. More importantly, they will spend the $$ immediately and for every dollar being spent in the economy there is a multiplier effect which generates economic earnings for business which create jobs which increased demand for goods and services.

The top tax payers have been receiving tax breaks for the past eight years and what we have as a result. . . we have economic contraction plus they have benefited from the pork and perks as "insiders" in Washington!! I say put it the hands of the working poor and you will see a huge economic expansion!!

Yes they should get the rebate. Perhaps anyone who thinks they shouldn't would like to change jobs with them. These people are mowing their lawns, cleaning their homes, washing their dishes, etc. You know, the things they don't want to do. They'll spend the money to put food on their families tables. That'll save a job or two at the supermarket. (Yeah, that's another job nobody wants to do!)

Jack, Payroll taxes are income taxes. The majority of people pay their taxes via payroll withholding. This distinction plays into the Republican doublespeak campaign designed to turn the pubic against the stimulus package or any middleclass tax break. Just as their “tax breaks for American families" is double speak for more tax breaks for those with incomes over $250,000. Please explain this rather than playing into the ruse.

Well to be honest i'm sick of paying taxes,while seeing CEO getting richer and seeing high government officials knocking down the dough.I get sick and tired of seeing congress fighting over money deciding where it should go.It should go back to the people that put in there in the place.If they want more money stop outsourcing,start charging outside countries that want to send there goods here which is about 98% of everything to start with.

As a disabled person unable to work I'm expected to live off of less than $800 dollars per month. That isn't enough to pay our bills. Let alone to have any quality of life. The problem is greed from the upper and middle classes.

They just want to keep getting richer while those less fortunate can barely live. The middle class complains about barely making it but at least they have enough to pay bills and actually have a few luxuries.

I agree with the President. Everyone needs to share a bit. It wouldn't hurt for people to think outside of themselves.

Troy,

Fairmont,
West Virginia

Yes. Those are called tax credits and have been used for years to help certain people. Those who don't make enough to pay taxes are probably most in need. Also, they will be sure to spend the money and not hoard it and it might thus help the economy.

The Rich folks have wipped out our 401k, bankruped our country and the global economy and they want more tax break so that they don't have to help pay for all the services that are provided by taxes. They have access to the police force, fire fighter, highways and etc and they want all those priveledges for free and have the nerves to complain that the folks who have hardly anything could get a little itsy bitsy something. The Rich have become the US 18th century monarchy. Their greed is making me sick, it's time for them to get off their royal throne and contribute towards our public service. It's time for them to sacrafice their greed.

People making over a $!00000 or so don't pay into social security, yet the money collected for it goes into the general fund. Seems like their getting a tax break all the time but no ones complains about that.

Absolutely, yes. Those folks will SPEND the money. The Economy will get the Money Multiplier Effect and Economic Stimulus will be the result. The Wealthy have sent their Tax Breaks to Investments in Europe and other things that did not benifit our Economy.

Now I have a question for you. Is the Republican Party trying to sink this Country? First they spend 8 years letting GW Bush run up the Deficit for no good reason. Now they complain about Obama's Deficit Spending when he's trying to prevent a Depression. What is THAT about?

OF COURSE THEY SHOULD, Jack ! I've been living entirely on $1100/mo. disability for the last 5 years. I feel fortunate that I have no IRA or 401K to have3 lost money in, but was disappointed when I was turned down for the last stimilus check – I could use help to pay for medicines, etc. I have paid more than $500 in State sales taxes alone in the last year.

They should get the rebate – IF I get one too. But, I won't because I'm retired. I watch my 401K (upon which I now live!) disappear daily, and I pay income taxes. But because I'm retired, I won't get anything. I think any "stimulus" should be given to everyone – or no one.

Of course they should be given a rebate. If you stop to think about it, we're taxed every way we turn. Car tags, fishing and hunting licenses as well business licenses are just a few taxes that are disguised as just a fee. It's a tax any way you choose to look at it. If the government can't afford it, get it from the crooked bank CEOs or the thugs on Wallstreet.

The whole point of the rebates is to stimulate the economy by giving money to people so they will spend it. These people are just as likely to spend the money as anyone else, therefore serving the purpose.

We have a lot of Americans unemployed. I say print the checks for those working Americans, who have earned it and will spend it. Food banks cannot keep enough in stock to fed the thousands in need. Many who once gave to the food banks have now found themselves in line.

Of course. We are talking about working people who unfortunately are not making enough to live decently least of all pay income taxes!

Jack.
Why should we discriminate against those of us that don't pay income tax? We are all in this boat together, let's give those on the bottom of the ladder the chance to help kick start the way out of this mess.

Yes they should get something back, they like all of us are stuck by force paying into the biggest ponzi scheme going called social security. I hope it all collapses, I want chaos, I dream of the day that the electricity never comes back on. I know at 34 I will not be retiring, I am expected to work a job I hate, for some rich insider fat cat, for an exchange of pieces of paper or worse digits in a computer and all that just to die in a nursing home with nothing in the end.period. Wake up humans this life is a scam. I'm going to the yukon and getting back to being a real person not a consumer.

The income tax refund is a joke and will do nothing to stimulate the economy (see stimulus welfare from last year for proof). The argument on payroll taxes is also a joke (these are insurance programs for future benifits and not taxes, though Congress likes to spend it like our tax dollars). All the junk going into this package funds everyone's pet projects with debt that our grandchildren will be paying for. We are doomed

Bonnie from Colorado – check your history. In 1933 Roosevelt's spending did not serve to "fix" economic issues. His bandaid provided some form of relief to those out of work but it was WWII that took us out of the depression. Take a look at the recession in 1937 as a point in fact how as soon as Roosevelt raised taxes that the economy took a dive. His 1933 New Deal did little to provide permanent changes.

A taxpayer is a taxpayer is a taxpayer and right now we all need a break!

Yes! My husband opened his own business over two years ago. Because it is a relatively new business, we have only been putting money into it. Last year, we did not receive a stimulus check because we were one of the families who did not make enough to pay income tax. My husband works at least 60 hours per week. Stimulus checks to all will help struggling small business owners too.
Escondido, CA

Jack

The "Bad Bank" idea heating up is bad I thought that Enron used off book entities to hide the crappy accounting Raptor etc. and , How can this help taxpayers rather then the big banks..

Larry

Your DAMN right I should get rebate. I might not pay income tax,but I pay taxes on every thing else I buy. One good thing about giving it to retirees is that they will spend it,including the taxes they are charged.

SeeYa!

I am so sick of the conservative sound machine telling everyone who will listen that no tax relief should be given to those who don't pay thousands in taxes. I pay in payroll taxes, and the whole ball of wax. Since I have a second job as a contractor I also have to pay taxes on contract labor and self-employment tax. I pay state sales tax and local property taxes. I am getting a little taxed over this topic. I want my stimulus package too!

Richard
Beaumont, Texas

Jack,

Here's the dirty little secret in America. The working poor work harder than any other group. They work longer hours, they perform more laborious tasks, and they do it for less money. People complaining about them getting help should try to work a morning rush at a restaurant or do a 10 hour shift at a factory.

In order to be self righteous, you must be righteous first...

JACK....are you kidding me??? They deserve it a lot more than Wall Street and the CEO's who misuse the funds for corporate jets, expensive toilets, paintings etc....
Why are Republicans wanting to cut taxes for the rich. News flash....the middle class are losing jobs by the thousands. Where will the taxes comes from you trying to cut???? The tax cuts they are proposing has to come from the rich and to that I say "H_ _ _ NO"!

Jack, I earn a good living, & pay very little income tax. The goverment allowes me to write-off, deduct, & claim alot of my six figure income. Yes! The people who earn too little, need a break. They should be given a tax rebate to improve their standard of living. For one thing, its a matter of principle. As I see it. If a free society can't help the many that are poor, it can not save the few that are rich.

I am a small business owner in Michigan who has been badly hit over the last two years. For 22 years, I have owned this business, paid taxes and have never asked for aid from anyone. This year, I will not be paying any income taxes because my business did not make enough. However, I will still owe self-employment taxes. Those who oppose giving me a tax break means that I, and others like me would be punished because we were damaged by the current economy. Aren't we the very people that need help the most?

The Federal Gov. is already running deficits on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

Removing the requirement to Pay into these Entitlements should remove that person from drawing out of those Entitlements. Make it a choice, if you don't want to collect credit for those earnings then fine.

But don't just give anyone a free ride ride. If you don't want them to pay income taxes under a certain income then fine, just don't give them back more than they paid in.

This country needs to learn what I am teaching my 9 year old...There is no such thing as a free lunch and there are consequences for your actions.

At first thought I think not, but if you think about it a lot of those not making enough money to pay income taxes are college students like me working seasonally or part-time. And if you know college students, you know they spend money like there's no tomorrow. They're great fuel for keeping the economy alive since they're usually spending someone else's money (parent's or government's via loans). Sure they'll go into debt but educational debt is some of the best debt to have – just ask President Obama who just recently paid his off.

To the person who thinks this is paramount to socialism. You are wrong. Socialism is government ownership or control over the means or production. Altruism is where you give the little guy a break.

NO. Instead it is better idea to refund a percentage of tax paid or earned during 2008 be given as rebate to boost individuals to spend or save money.

Jack,
It would be a great idea for this type of Tax Rebate to reach the common people (grassroots) working class, because that is what they are use to receiving anyway. When you have $Billions$ of dollars going into the financial pockets of the executives from nine (9) of the nations top Banks, who were responsible for putting this economy in the position we are in, do you think its time that we get some of these funds back to the common working class people, so they can stimulate their local economy by supporting their lives? What would happen if all of the working class American's just stopped and said "Enough is Enough" and don't pay anymore taxes... are they going to lock everyone up? they didn't lock up the executives!

fdglover – Orlando, Fl.

I'm confused, I thought I read the tax rebate was being issued through the tax filings–in other words a credit to what you owe at the end of the year. If that's the case, how does it help folks who pay little or no taxes or for unemployed people (which we have quite a few of now).

If it's distributed in any other form such as a rebate check; Yes I believe it should help EVERY citizen of the United States of America!!!!!!!

Helena, Chandler, AZ

Harumph! Typical elitist bullbleep. When I made a $20 donation to the Salvation Army Christmas kettle, it represented 20% of my total spendable income for the month of December. Few of the well-off have any understanding of just how close to the edge of survival many of the poor are at. And, my rent does pay property taxes of my complex and I do pay sales tax. I AM a taxpayer.

No one under the age of 65 should get a stimulus check. By all means we should take care of people who are truly in need, but I can't tell you how many people seem to have the latest coach purse and yet need a hand out when it comes to paying for basic health care for their little ones. The redistribution of wealth paid for by those who have self discipline to those who can't keep their credit card in their wallet is a shameful idea to encourage.

yes we are the people too.

Yes. These people are working and are desperately trying to make ends meet. They are paying taxes in the form of social security, etc. They should be eligible also to receive a rebate.

I oned a business for 21 years which I sold in 2007. We were the 2nd job of my part time employees (from 1999-2007). She was a single mother with two children and more work than week. Several years ago I learned that she always received an income tax refund that was more than had been withheld from her check(s). I don't know how she would have made it financially without this extra money. So this has been a practice for some time. Why is everyone acting like this is new. Maybe it's just new to them. If the Sec. of the Treasury doesn't know the tax code, how can the rest of us?

If these folks are getting money back to cover their SS & Medicare payments, then can we also take away the benefits that they will claim down the road? Or....if a select few don't have to pay into the system, why should the rest of us? Income tax is income tax and SS & Medicare taxes are something completely different. If we are doing income tax cuts, then that is what should be cut for ALL. We should not be excluding anyone who will be drawing benefits from SS from paying into the system. I'm tired of this re-distribution of wealth, and a few taxpayers supporting the many on their backs.

Should those who don't pay taxes benefit? Yes, I think they should. This group is the one that is hurting the most, especially those who make just a little too much to get any kind of public assistance, but not enough to make ends meet. With work hours being cut, wages being cut, benefits being cut, jobs being cut, and absolutely no way to hold onto any hope, these people are the ones who have very little voice in the realm of government. If we, as a people, cannot help them, then who will?

Of course not. Why should a person get a 'rebate' on something they have not purchased? If we buy a product which advertises a rebate, do we then ask for the rebate without first purchasing the product? This is ludicrous. I lived in Scandinavia for many years and believe me, socialism does not work. Why work if one does not have to, knowing that the government will take take care of them? I hate socialism. Why take from the rich and give to the poor? That is the job of charities and houses of worship: Not government. The government's job is to protect us from foreign aggression and not redistribute wealth. Why penalize a person for succeeding? I am currently without a job but am confident that I will find one soon. When I do, I will pay my share of taxes and will not expect any handouts.

Absolutely! As a matter of fact, start with them first. They're trying and they're the ones who are hurting the worst. Instead of being thankful to make enough to owe taxes, those stingy neocons must be afraid the government will run out of money before they get their big fat checks. Shame on them.

If someone pays payroll tax, THAT IS paying 'Federal Tax'-unless we want to join with the whiners who are calling this a form of welfare & say, "OK, then. If that's how it is, then NO federal employee should receive help either (federal employees aren't required to pay into Social Security). The whiners that I personally know of? They simply never seem to have enough cheeze to match that whine.
Sam
Knoxville, TN

Jack, the majority of people who today pay no income taxes are either unemployed or underemployed – or filthy rich with good accountants. There are currently more than 10 million people unemployed in this country. Most of these Americans have paid employment taxes in the past, and will pay them again when they are re-employed. Any economic stimulus plan that doesn't benefit these Americans is no stimulus at all.

Yes, these are the people that will actually spend the money and get this economy moving again. The rich don't need it and will just put it in the bank, you know the black hole where we sunk billions, with nothing to show for it.
Dave from NH.

I am retired and work 4 days a week to supplement my income. I also paid #313 in Federal Income taxes which I may get back so you can say I didn't pay any Federal Income taxes. But last year I paid $805 in Social Security taxes, and $188 in Medicare taxes. I believe I deserve to receive some of the rebate money just as I did last year.

People who complain because those who do not pay income taxes get a refund should know they are the people who need it most.
Actually, my husband, along with all of those who fought in WWII and the Korean War were promised, and it has been proven, free medical care. Those people did not get free medical care and their rate of pay in the military was minimal, making a minimal retirement. That is why they don't have to pay taxes because their retirement is so little and the government did not honor their promise. All veterans do not, and have not, received what they were promised.

Helen Tucker
Fayetteville, NC

Absolutely, the Republicans are sounding more like Leona Hemsley. pissing and loking down at the little people. We just got Bushed, the Reuplicans should just shut up and tuck thier between their legs.

I think this subject goes to the root of the Republican problem. The bottom line is rich people have money because they don't spend it. Poor people don't have money because they spend it. Money always has and always will trickle up. We don't have to give rich people money as a government, the poor people already do that. As long as Republicans fail to admit this simple and obvious reality, they need to continue to dwindle, thank you, Doug

Jack.
I am 62 years old. I worked for the better part of 40years as a registered nurse. Now, I am stuck on a disability because my legs have given out due to all the years on my feet.
I do not make enough to pay taxes, but beleive me I paid in spades during my working years while raising three children.
I become furious when I hear that people like me should not share in some relief. Like everyone is some miscreant bum. I pay sales tax in my state and the price of rice and fuel have greatly impacted me as well as everyone else.
Yes, if it is doled out in that manner, I want some. I'll have a good place to spend it and that will not be an $87,000 rug!!!
Peggy from Washington State

Dear Jack,

I vote yes. It's time this country's economics methods stop picking and choosing between American citizens. I missed the last two rebates. During the first, I worked as a single mom supporting three boys, didn't earn enough to qualify, but my ex-husband, who was behind in support, sure got his – or at least the 'injured spouse' did... During the second, I was a full time student, had just stopped working the year previous – but I've worked since I was 15 years old. Anyone who has paid taxes, income or otherwise, should be included in ANY tax rebate from the government. Period.

Yes. If we can give corporate bigwigs stimulus money to buy furniture, planes, and furniture, to deny people either out of work or not making enough money to have to pay taxes is unconscionable. If the Republicans insist on gutting the stimulus package to pander to the Limbaugh lovers, voters will think Scrooge came early this year, and payback, at election time, will be sweet.

Of course they should receive rebate . . . low-wage earners pay a disproportionate amount of taxes relative to their earnings.
I think most Republicans care "very little for least of us".
Have no real idea of the lives they live . . . outta sight, outta mind!

Yes, they should. We as a nation allow tax break companies – some of whom don't pay any taxes – to pay people a non-living wage – well under the poverty rate.

Contrary to what some believe they do pay taxes in the form of social security, medicare and sales tax.

Of Course, We all pay taxes even on the littlest of items why not help the poor folks ! We barely have food and housing povety is high in the u.s We need help !! we only going to use the rebates to pay off bills or get housing. why not!!! its goin back into the economy anyway.

Donald
Vallejo,CA

Yes Jack! Isn't it time we gave a tax break to those who needed it the most and have benefited the least, instead of the wealthy that benefit the most and need it the least? Especially after the last 8 years with tax breaks for the rich that have been paid for by borrowing from China and the Arabs, plus interest.

Why not? The banks helped create this mess, yet we're throwing money at THEM, and still they're not using that money to loosen credit. At least those unfortunates who don't make enough to pay federal income tax will help the economy immediately by spending what we give them.

Jack,

Regardless of whether these people are paying income tax, (a) they are the people who are hurting the most in the current economy and who, in fact, need a tax rebate the most, and (b) they are also the people who are most likely to spend the rebate and, thus, stimulate economic recovery. Any common sense and any sense of compassion says that, yes, they should get the rebate.

On the other hand, we could do what the Republicans would want, which is to deny those most in need of aid and, instead, give it to those with the highest incomes (who are, as the Republicans would argue, paying the most taxes). Even though they are the ones who need it the least, we could then hope that, instead of adding the rebate to their savings, that they might spend some of it, and, then, we could hope, in true trickle down theory, that some of the benefit might trickle/tinkle down to those who really need it.

rebates to people who don't pay income tax is nothing but welfare. One of the worst things we've ever done is create the earned income tax credit, and this is just an extension of that. If you want to give these people a tax reduction, give them a reduction on what they do pay, like the social security tax or other payroll taxes. But do not give them an "income tax rebate" when they don't pay any income taxes!

Hey Jack,

If people work hard all their lives, why shouldn't they receive money back from the government just because they are living on a fixed income? These people have been overlooked and forgotten by past administration, (George W. Bush). Why shouldn't I get help? I've played by the rules all my life and, now that I'm struggling to get by, I shouldn't be forgotten.

Rebates mean a "return" of money. I don't think income tax rebates is fair since there is no money being returned. There must be a better way to give the working poor a break rather than give them money back that they did not pay. Subsidize their education, child care, etc. I think we should help them, but this isn't a good idea.

Dam right we should! WE pay all other taxes. WE are going with out just like anyone else. WE bleed the same red blood as anyone else.
WE have to pick will I have food this week or should I get my mediation? "I" get so sick of hearing this garbage, well any way
thank you for letting sound off!

Why wouldn't you give tax cuts to people who need it the most? These people will have to spend it just for the bear neccesities which in turn will stimulate the economy. Isn't this the purpose of the whole package? The Republicans need to start looking out for little brother if they plan to have a future in politics at all, tell the CEO's and big money to hold back thier greed for a couple years, we've seen enough from them for awhile don't you think?

Every working American should be included, except our elected officials in Washington. Most of them should be fired.

Congress..................notably republicans..............don't have a problem handing out billions with no strings to those who are responsible for this mess (i.e.TARP) but they seem to have a problem helping those of us who don't get bailed out of our situation...........largely not of our making.

Didn't we make enough a statement in this last election?

If we are American citizens we all share in the plight of this economy and any one of us can become a positive catalyst for change. From the fat cats in corporate america to the homeless, everyone deserves a helping hand. If America was faced with a dilemma in which it needed aid from all of its people would they exclude non taxpayers? I think not. This is not the time for economic exclusion.

No, Obama should not effectively gut a portion of Clinton's welfare reform by handing out checks to those who pay no income taxes because such a measure will have no stimulative effect on the broader economy, as any Economics 101 student can tell you; however, this portion of the package is hardy the worst part of it and is something I could live with if Congress and WH would just eliminate the pork and add truly stimulative provisions like a one year holiday on taxes for repatriated corporate earnings.

Tax credits are an integral part of our tax system. There are individual tax credits for child care, and elderly care. There are business tax credits for hirings, research and development. In all cases, the tax payer gets credit for paying taxes they do not pay. This is nothing new. However, I only hear tax credits referred to as welfare, when Republicans are complaining about credits to those who are struggling and do not earn enough to pay taxes. Where were they when Bush was giving corporate welfare, in the form of no-bid contracts, to Halliburton?

Jack,
President Obama probably has it correct that every working American should recieve a tax rebate check if one is so forthcoming: However after being penalized for working hard all of our lives on the last rebate event I can't fathom a more inequitable solution after I reviewed our tax liability for this year. Any rebate offered to the populace needs to be apportioned to how much you paid in. But that won't work, government doesn't work well under "fair" practices.

This is the stupidest debate I've ever heard. Payroll taxes ARE income taxes. They are simply income taxes that are withheld from your paycheck and paid quarterly by your employer. This is the idiot republicans' way to try to convince the middle class that they are not contributing to taxes, it's just B.S.

Everybody pays taxes. why would this rebate be for only workers? Besides, social security & medicare taxes all are returned during retirement. Or are they saying you get this break because those retirement benefites will not be there after Pres Obama's term?

I think so. The point of the economic stimulus package is increase economic activity. I think the low income folks who pay no current income tax would, out of neccessity, spend the additional rebates quickly producing an immediate secondary benefit to the economy. This does not mean I think these rebates should be permanent, however.

The experts say we need to consume to get the economy going. Thus, it seems only logical to give money to the poor – god only knows, there is enough of us after the Republicans. I think upper income tax bracket rates should be at least doubled, and that extra money be put into jobs and re-education of the unemployed.

Every time a person buys children's cold medicine, school books, or whatever you pay sales tax. Those taxes go to the state and federal government. It doesn't matter what you earn: Everybody pays taxes at some level. It's stunning to me that every time there's mention of a tax rebate to someone in the poverty or below poverty level, the right wingers scream "communism" or "socialism." Yet they say nothing about "socialist" bailouts of failing companies. It's a no brainer: tax breaks for everyone since everyone pays into the system.

Jack, that's a no brainer! i am sitting here (only recieving SSI because of the politics of qualifying for disability) with 3 shirts, wool socks and sweat pants with my thermostat set on 63degrees. $500.00 would alow me to pay my gas bill. it just would be a good bottle of wine for some that would get the rebate because they file taxes. you tell me where would it do more good? keep up the hard work for us!

I made a six figure salary until 7/21/08 and now I live off of unemployment which will barely pay my mortgage let alone my daughter's college tuition. I have worked hard all my life and paid taxes as I should. I am now a casualty of this economic war.. do I not deserve help from the government that I have been so faithful to?

Absolutely, There are huge majorities of people in the U.S who don't make enough money to have to pay income tax . Thats becouse they have to work for minimum wage, just ask yourself one question, of all the people in the U.S do the majority of workers make more than minimum wage or less than minumum wage. The lower income families are the people that need help the most.

That's insane. I imagine it would really be worse if we were talking about real money though. It appears this new administration and the new congress will just go out to the new money tree and grab a few extra billion to fund all of these new stimuli. Hey Jack... can you find out where I can get a cutting from that tree to plant in MY backyard?

Most of the people who earn too little to pay income tax also receive the earned income tax credit. I know families with several children who pay less than a $100.00 income taxes and receive $2000.00 or more back in a refund. Tell me how that is fair when at the same time my family is paying thousands of dollars in taxes each year, do not qualify for any college grants so we are struggling to keep our kids in college, and also have had to pay additional taxes. What is fair for us? Most of these families who receive these huge tax refunds do not save it for a raining day, but spend it as soon as they get it. What is wrong with these families finally excepting the fact that you have to take care of yourself and your family and if you can not take care of one or two children, do not keep having them. When did work become a bad word and when is the government going to realize that some people know how to work the system and will never try to take care of themselves.

Yeah. Screw the poor people. Tax cuts for wealthy corporations is the only way we'll get our economy out of the crap it's in. Sarcasm aside, I think the Repuplicans are just being hypocrytical as usual. I KNOW THEY'RE not talking about wasteful spending. Who wasted all that money for 8 years? And we should listen to anything that comes out of their mouths because?

Perry from Montreal

I think people who earn very little should receive rebates and not have to pay any income taxes what so ever. I think your government should squeeze more out of the fat cats.

I believe we should have these tax rebates, but we should also focus on local level businesses. I can't be leave I'm saying this since I'm a republican, but I agree with President Obama. Even if it is a big spending bill, my only concern is if it all will be used in a constructive manor in stimulating the economy.

I feel that if a man is not working he should not have to pay taxes. I have been unemployed now for almost 2 years. I have been collecting unemployment checks and most of that money goes to my ex-wife for child support. Now that money I send to her is to be taxed, Not by her but by me. And the money she recieves from me is tax free money for her. I barely have enough money to pay my child support and the government wants to take more from me in taxes. I ask you how can I afford to pay taxes when all my money is going to child support and trying to keep a roof over my head so I can have a place for my children to live when they come to visit me. She is working for a bank and has a boyfriend who also works. Wow 3 incomes in 1 household I ask you who should be taxed? The one that has the 3 incomes or the one that is unemployed with no hopes of finding a job, and is luckily going to school to get another career that is needed in this economy. I say tax the working and let the unemployed alone.

give every adult in the US $5,000 and let them spend, deposit it, pay creditcards or what ever. banks across the country will get deposits and the compounding effect of deposits will create billions for banks to loan . we will have a demand economy with people purchasing goos and services and banks lending thus, creating jobs.

Absolutely YES! These folks are paying for the social security and medicare that will more than likely not be there for them when they retire (if they are able to do so). While your at it....how about revising the social security that the rich folks get...they receive their checks while living very well on their 401k's, CD's, investments and other pensions. And medicare...well that is another thing that has so much waste....could devote several hours to that!

Jack,
How many of the companies that were "given" our tax dollars without any strings and those who are laying off hundreds of thousands of hard working Americans paid ANY Federal income taxes? Nobody asked whether they were "worthy" of assistance. When will those people who always speak out against the American people while lining their own pockets "get it"?

No, at the rate this is going there will be no incentive at all to have a job. I feel the money can be spent in a much better way to help get us out of this recession. If they were to do such a thing they better not call it a rebate, because it’s just welfare.

yea ,but they need the bigger rebates 2500 at least , something that will make a difference , this 300 cant buy a can of beans anymore

Gee, and give it to the people who need it the most? Yet some in Crongress who complain about this are receiving huge taxpayer dollars for working part time? Name the names for all to hear Jack. Consider it a public service.

Sure let the people who will spend the money and help our ridiculously over burdened economy. The rich already have money to spend and they don't seem to be helping at all.

Stephanie, Monticello, In

I've still got the money from the previous rebates, since I happen to be a financially responsible citizen. Lots of people used the rebate money for flat screen TVs, stylish footwear, and other mental comfort items. Did those rebates have any real effect on the economy? I doubt it. When a rebate check arrives at my door, I break all speed records to cash it in case someone realizes how little good they provide. Gary from Homestead, FL

Yes the should get a rebate..the ones that shouldn't are the ones that sit and collect welfare and never worked a day in there life....

Stop giving the breaks to all the big guns or have someone set up appointments for us regular folks to go in front of congress and get a bail out. I know I could use one.

Tell the Republicans they haven't worried about us in at last 8 yrs why start now. Them holding up isn't doing anything for us or the country

Absolutely. I am on long-term disability and live on $1100 a month. I worked for 30 years (20 for the government). I don't pay taxes now but I have for many years. Hey Prez, don't forget who voted for you.

Bren
Arizona

It takes money to make money. Give us money and we'll pay our cable bills and watch you. You can keep making money, cable can keep making money, the munchie companies can make money and everybody is happy until we watch the economy get worse on cable TV. Jon Stewart has a good idea. Give all the bailout money to the people. They can pay off their debts. The banks and loan cos. will have money to give out more loans and people can start businesses or increase their businesses and everyone will prosper. I like it.

Yes they should. The new minority on the hill has always tried to exclude many people that could have benefitted from any rebate.
Yet they continue to whine about lowering taxes that will, if they get their way only benefit them and other privilaged few. If they had paid attention to the peoples business when they made their "contract with america" we would not be in this fix.

Why shouldn't they? If you're gonna give a stimulas package give it to the bottom and let it "trickle up". This whole giving cooperations a hand out hasn't worked, they're just investing in more cooperations and sending jobs over seas. How is that helping the american people? The only jobs they are creating is the ones that cater lavish parties, million dollar hunting trips or 2 million dollar remodeling of offices. Of course they do throw a little extra to the ceo's that paved the way for our tax dollar giveaway. If you ask me the whole thing is rediculous. Obama needs to stick to his green energy infastructer plan and similar if he wants to help. There's plenty of things to do to help this country if they're gonna get the money anyway. Trust me, people will pick up trash before they stave to death.

Jack, if you make enough to pay income tax in 3 hours of daily television, we should all get tax rebates.

Yes these people should get the rebate for sure they're the ones who will surely spend what little money they get. They can't save it, invest it, they'll go out and buy something, it will make them feel better. Isn't that what is needed, people to spend money to stimulate the economy?

I guess i am one of the lucky few that dont have just one job but have two, and everytime i get a check it sucks to see Uncle Sam took so much for me working so hard. This is a time of crisis that we shouldnt be in, we are supposed to be the richest country in the world yet we have a trillion bucks in debt?? how does that work out? God bless Obama for wanting to give the citizens money back for their hard work to keep this country going. It hurts my head at the thought that everyone in congress wants to give Big businesses money back when all they do it profit while their employees that keep them going get nothing.

Dean
Arizona

As stated by Harry Reid, in some European Countries your taxes are collected from your income before it is paid out to you, and you have no filings later to reduce your taxes paid and get a refund.

If you make so little that you personnally pay no taxes, the only thing paid is the employer portion ... Then consider that you have done your small part for your country. IF YOU PERSONALLY PAY NO TAXES THEN YOU SHOULD NOT GET ANY REFUNDS.

The Tax System is meant to be a REVENUE system, NOT A WELFARE SYSTEM. If it is welfare that you need go about getting it in the correct way! Those who make more are already paying your way FREELOADERS!

I don't accept your premise that the Republican's only want to take away the tax rebates from the poor. They want everyone to get tax cuts as a stimulus. This is a simple matter of believing the people will spend the money smarter and more efficiently than the goverment will.

Although if you didn't phrase the question the way you did, you wouldn't get the answer you want. Super jounalism, you putz

I hope he does this, cause it would include me: a full time student, without a car, that has to resort to temp work just to find a job. With the way this economy is it's getting hard and hard to even afford bus fare (the raised rates on the 3rd where I live), let alone other necessities like certain school supplies, food, clothes, etc.

I hate to say this, but I'm feeling like this economic crisis is squeezing me out of a life. I love this country, but what do you do when your an inch away from homelesness and feel like the US is too expensive to live in.

It tears me apart when I hear people say that those who don't earn enough to pay taxes should not receive a tax brake. Those of us who are in that group are not the ones who got in the situation that we are in. We are the ones who are suffering the most for the actions of these rich fat cats. Those who look down at those of us who are trying our hardest just to get by, should remember that they to can find themselves in the same situation.

Jack, I'm willing to give my tax rebate to anyone less fortunate then myself....... We're all Americans Jack and we need to take care of one another....You have to give Jack you just have to it.

This appears to be another Democrat scheme to buy more Democrat voters. If you don't have to pay taxes, why wouldn't you keep voting for a party who promise to let you off the hook while sticking it to a select few taxpayers? EVERYONE should pay something in taxes. That gives everyone a stake in keeping taxes low and spending in check. When a person gets something for free, there is opportunity for abuse, and incentive to keep politicians in power who will keep you off the tax rolls.

I can understand why may workers (liberal, conservatives, independents, etc) BALKED at the idea that Obama want the stimulus plan to give out rebate checks to people who pay little to no income taxes. Although FICA taxes (Social Security & Medicare) are in fact payroll taxes, they should not be included in the factor of giving out rebates. I believe that there should be a floor and a ceiling like the 2008 tax rebate. If people file for the 2008 payroll taxes, that can be the determining factor on how much they should be given back. Therefore, I disagree with Obama assessment of given tax rebate to those who pay little or no income taxes on the base of excluding FICA taxes. If these people want rebate, please suspend FICA for two quarters (Q2 and Q3) instead of given out rebate checks. That way the employer would save 7.65% of what the employees make for two quarters.

Yes, give them the tax rebate. The people who need the rebate the most are the one’s who don’t make enough money to pay income taxes however they do pay Social Security, payroll and medicare taxes. They are the persons without credit cards and checking accounts who will put cash directly back into the economy. They are the ones who will immediately buy the basic staples of everyday living…food, baby and children items, rent and car payments that directly impact the bottom line. They will not hold onto to their money because they are rapidly falling off the cliff and need the tax rebate to hold off bills.

I know when I have money in my pocket, I spend it. It will provide a short term boost and get some money flowing through the economy again from the bottom up. We may have a good day on Wall Street for once.

No they shouldn't get a tax break. These people may pay all those other taxes, but they are also more likely to use those services. Everyone else is not. Tax breaks for those who do pay income tax is more likely to stimulate the economy because they usually spend more wisely and make better investments which is exactly what this economy needs.

Every earner shares the burden of medicare and social security costs of our future through the payroll tax. Why should these payments for their future needs be paid for by other taxpayers just because they earn enough to pay taxes? JUST GIVE THEM THE MONEY WITHOUT EXCUSES!! AT LEAST THAT WOULD BE OPEN AND HONEST...

I live in the Silicon Valley, and have seen a friend of mine with years of experience in computers lose their job, to find that the only job available right now is low-paying data entry at an auction house. They're working part-time for less money, even though it only pays slightly more than unemployment.

Should they get a tax cut for doing the right thing? Sure they should. People need an incentive to work *ANY* job, at least for now, because the more people work, the sooner the good jobs will come back.

Yes, those people have paid some sort of taxes. The president is not referring to homeless and street people because they don't have addresess to forward the receiving of mail. But a lot of people who are
paying low taxes have at one time worked and were probably middle
class. What is that the republicans don't get. The Republican party
does not care about the American people. They have theirs and all
are doing well. They are going to get their salary and raises because
they will vote themselves a raise. It was the young people who put
Obama in to office, so I think they need to run for office, and rid the country of thoses old politicians who don't want to budge to help the
people in hard times. I'm 64 and will not vote for anyone over 55. They
are antiquated thinkers. it will be 20 years before another republican will gain the White House. Obama has set the trend.

I think if you look at either end of the spectrum.....the people who make too little to pay income taxes can probably use a rebate a LOT MORE than those making over a million dollars a year. What has happened to compassion in this country.......not everyone who is poor avoids work regardless what some people think.

If it's stimulus you want, the bottom up is the way to go. If there's a mechanism for getting money into the hands of basic consumers (those living from paycheck to paycheck), then that money will immediately result in greater spending. Anyone paying any kind of tax has contributed to the "general welfare" and should be eligible for stimulus funds.

Jack, I can't believe you stooped so low to even ask this question. Now that the corrupt, lying CEO's of Corporate America and Wallstreet have been bailed out on the backs of the common wage earners - you know, the one's who actually keep America afloat, who don't get paid a living wage without union representation, who work the jobs that most of you in the higher wage-earning brackets won't stoop to do but expect others to do: PCA's, Home Care attendants, etc. - you and the rest of your co-workers at CNN are going to start dumping on the poor to make news? How disgusting!
The old paradigm of Corporate Capitalistic America is falling and failing because it is based on fear, corruption, deceit and injustice. And there's nothing that any of you can do to stop this much needed change from occuring.
Theresa

Let's stop arguing over terminology when hard working people are losing their jobs. We should be angry with Congress allowing an automatic raise to go through for themselves in this economic crisis. I certainly don't make $200,000, I pay taxes, and I didn't get the last stimulus check. But, arguing doesn't get anything done for the American people! Dee

I believe that people like me who work very hard to do the job we were hired to do should be considered as Tax Payers. We pay local and federal payroll taxes, social security and medicare but people who are paid more and who are able to pay there taxes seem to look down on people like me who have had numerous health problems but still trying to get out to work to support my family. We tend t not be abke ti pay our taxes due to not making enough money during the year and not being able to save any money. We are barred from trying to get a head and it is time for a change in these areas. It seems that year after year our taxes go up and we find our selfs having additional taxes piled up upon those from previous years. The next thing is the IRS writing threatening letters planning to garnish wages and/or tax your personal possessions. WE NEED HELP AND WE NEED IT NOW.

Let's reason a little bit:
People who don't make enough money to pay income tax are the one who will likely end up with cash ready to be spent after the stimulus package is passed/applied.
If one of the true origin of the financial crisis is that people are not spending enough, then it does NOT make any sense to exclude that portion of the population (ready to spend) from the package. I believe that they are a significant component of the financial recovery.
Plus... it doesn't sound fair to have the one making a lot have even more relief while the one not making enough are still struggling in status quo.

Jack,

Our presidents' idea of sending tax rebates to non tax payers is neither new or novel, I believe it started with Lennin or maybe Marx, it is called socialism. Our problem is simple, the staggering cost of government damages our capitalist society more each day. The question is can the USA recover before bankruptcy?

Bill G..

I may not pay as much taxes as the wealthy but, like Wolf said, I pay in many other ways. Us below the poverty line need stimulation even more.
Dug

hi Jack,
So far Obama apears very smart and doing very well,I don't know how he is going to do with this recovery program. If he was really smart,he would find,read and follow the presidential decree executive
order #11110 from 1963 by JFK before he was killed. It would cut our cost hugly in intrest,even at these current rates. Its still in effect,just hidden. if you'd like my source,just e email me. thank you
jerry/riverside/ca

Of course people who do not pay "Income Tax" should still recive a rebate. Working people still pay fica, and social security. I don't think the argument should be if they recive a rebate at all, but should they recieve more money than those who do pay income tax. Why the hell is it if you make more money you get more money? It should be the other way around, people who mkae less can use more, and will spend it, that's the point of the whole idea of stimulus right? Let's start using some common sense in Washington for once.

Absolutely! In fact they ought to give these folks almost all money. They may not spend it more wisely, but the will not waste it as unfairly. It will go immediately into the economy and almost everyone will have a fair shot at getting their hands on it. It's called the "multiplier effect," Jack. It will have done it magic a thousand times over passing to the undocumented alien housekeeper, bodega owner, wholesale, food packer, truck driver, farmer, used car dealer, truck manfacturer, warehouseman, HVAC technican, and so on. Hopefully the delay will give government time enough to handcuff the investment brokers and bankers before they deposit it in their off shore accounts and the multiplier effects reverts to an off-shore tax shelter.

Many already do get them in the form of Earned Income Credit...which I do believe is an incentive to work. However, I see those who abuse that by claiming someone else's child, etc. In these days of growing unemployment (our company just announced yesterday that we are closing dozens of stores just in Arkansas which will put many in the unemployment line) who is going to pick up the tab for anything! We need good paying jobs...not handouts.

Sandy
Texarkana, AR

Absolutely not!!! Why should people who are successful because we worked hard to get an education or create a successful business have to pay for people who chose not to go this route. I am not suggested that people who make less money- don't work as hard- however- it is an option to everyone to go to college to improve their lives. It is for purely selfish reasons that someone who does not pay income taxes would argue that they deserve a "rebate". As for the argument that they pay other kinds of taxes- well... so does everyone else. This does not justify taking my hard earned dollars and giving to someone else!

Many of "us" who are so poor we don't owe taxes would happily trade places with those of you who do. Please remember that many of us do work right along side everyone else. My family includes two degreed parents and five children. Due to my illness, we are down to one income and no healthcare. We are not paying additional employment taxes this year because our deductions/credits overrun our earnings by over $13,000. We certainly paid our chunk of medicare and social security right along with everyone else and felt the sting of every dollar. Come on guys – throw us a bone, we promise we will spend it. We have prescriptions, diapers, shoes and maybe even a night at McDonalds on our wishlist.

Sarah
Denver, Colorado

Yes anyone who pays any kind of taxes should get a refund . We as citizans pay taxes on all goods and services ,and its about time that we have a President who stands with the disappearing middleclass instead of robbing the poor to make the rich richer . And nothing makes me happier then to see the (R) CRYING about the policys of the President all the sudden they have found political religion where were they when Bush was in Charge ? It reminded me of the Flintones cartoon when Wilma and Betty would go shopping and yell CHARGE IT !!!!!

YES! Many severely disabled persons in America work at jobs such as crushing aluminum cans for recycling, lawn maintenance, and perfoming cleaning services. They joyfully perfom these jobs for less than minimum wage, and are happy to contribute to society. The money they get would probably be spent on basic necessities such as medicine, food, clothing and shelter. This would put the money right back into the economy and be a great use of the funds.

Absolutely, I pay FICA, Medicare, Social Security, Property Taxes and State Taxes. As a retired Fire Lieutenant I worked for over 23 years to earn my retirement, only to be penalized by the government. I broke even on federal taxes last year. I did not receive a stimulus check but everyone on welfare did. Also my health benefits sky rocketed over 50% so now my family and I don't have health care. With a son in college and a wife who was laid off without any prospects for work we're squeaking by on my meager retirement. We can use a stimulus check. How come the Oil companies aren't helping with the economic bailout? They had over 10 quarters of multibillion dollars profits while the country paid excessive gasoline and diesel prices.

How about us with low income who pay property, Soc. Sec. and all the other taxes PLUS INCOME TAX? This is how I see it: I don't get a rebate or stimulus and on top of that my tax money will be given to someone who didn't pay taxes. They get back what they DIDN'T pay... I DON'T get back what I paid. The governmant shoud use ITS money not mine and give those who don't pay taxes a break in the property taxes, Soc. Sec. etc, etc, etc. instead of my money to spend.

Yes because they need the money.......plain and simple .

Mr. Obama's approach is the correct one – tax rebates SHOULD be granted to those not paying income tax. They are hit harder on a gross income percentage basis by 'non-income' taxes like payroll, SocSec contributions, state sales and property taxes.
Given that this particular group has been losing steadily in purchasing power and benefits from previous tax cuts, what better time and better group to target? We can be absolutely confident that the extra funds WILL be spent, not saved or put in a mattress.
Republican resisters are simply grasping at anything, using whatever flimsy reasoning, to preserve the widening income gap we have in this nation.

Yes, I think they should.

Yes, if the objective is to get people to spend. They are more likely to spend the money than save it like the rich folks do. I think the question should be should the wealthy get a check. The bottom line is we need to do something, and fast. The emphasis has to be on putting in controls to ensure money given to businesses and local governments is spent to generate jobs that go to Americans and legal immigrants. I do not want to see illegals working on roads, highways, buildings, and other government funded projects because greedy contractors are trying to make as much profit as they can, to the detriment of America. Such irresponsibility is partly why we are in this economic mess.

Jack,

It is appauling that that the Republicans would not want to support tax rebates for low income Americans after overwhelmingly supporting tax cuts for the wealthy corporations that refuse to pay fair wages to low-income tax payers.

Hell, yeah. Any rebate to the poor is more likely to be spent. That stimulates the economy. Isn't that the point?

This nonsense has to stop. My husband and I both are still lucky enough to be working, but making less than we should be/have in recent history. We can't afford to send our daughter to college and the Govt keeps the 36% in taxes they take from us, not to mention property taxes, sales tax, etc.

A person my husband worked with recently QUIT his job because he makes more off welfare. Welfare has paid for both parents to go to college and now will be paying for their children to college. The wife keeps pumping out kids, which we pay for thru the welfare system. She's not required to go out and even try to get a job because she has small children at home. She has an accounting degree and prepares fraudulent taxes for their family...based on what will get them the highest refund. The husband, with his degree, doesn't look for work – even tho he had a job that he quit – because he wont pass the drug test and why should he look for work when they rake in $3,400 per month?? That's right, between welfare, social security, and unemployment – they rake in more than most legitimate working families. And we get to foot the bill. I should point out that the only reason they get $600 a month in SSI is because they were irresponsible and continued having children after 40, so they're daughter was born deaf. Which we also get to pay for along with their 18 year old daughter who just had a baby that she didn't want, but the parents wanted her to have to more food stamps and rent money.

So let me get this right....they WON'T work, don't pay taxes, but because they're on welfare – or less fortunate (LOL) they'll get a REBATE for money they didn't pay in???

This is definately a great example of our screwed up government at work. .

People who don't earn enough to pay income taxes shouldn't get a damn thing because they're getting it already with food stamps, welfare, their children qualify for free lunches at school. I'm disabled, can't work because of end stage renal disease. I'm waiting for a kidney transplant. They forced me to file for social security so medicaid would pay for dialysis treatments. I always worked for everything. It made me laugh when I was told I made too much money to get reduced lunches for my kids at school.  Look at the people who want to sit home and play video games and collect the liberal democrats handouts. Boy you (democratic party) sure created a monster!  Please excuse me, I think I'll go vomit.   P.S. Steve Cooper's an idjit. LOL

Yes! People making tons figure out how not to pay but those with little are taxed while needing every dollar. Republicans like tax cuts that benefit the rich but offer little for those that can't buy groceries or pay for medicine. We are in economic crisis and they want to stick to the same policies that got us into this mess. Stimulus= buyers + retailers+ producers+ workers. Give us jobs and stop telling us "trickling down" is rain and give us our tax break because it makes a difference in a poor household!

I live in a town with a lot of very low income families. We learned that tricke down dosen't work at all. Let trickle up for a change.

Stephanie Indiana

Yes. Its time to end trickle down economics – all its gotten us is the worst economic climate in decades – wiping out rich and poor alike. Its not in any one's best interest to keep some American's Impoverished so 2% can prosper. Its time we build wealth for everyone.

I think they should get tax breaks that vary according to how much they pay into SS, Medicare, and all the other programs. You pay a little, you get a little. Pay a lot, get a lot.

On the surface, I'd say no because of what happened with last years stimulus. But this sounds more obviously multi-purposed, if I understand that right.

Sounds like he's not only going for an immediate effectiveness, and allowing people to see that something is being done. But it also looks like he's going for the rate of accomplishments, and even more than that, this sounds like a reassurance thing.

Y'know, the buzz about all his work in the first one hundred days, coupled with; "here, how about some money to go with that".

This particular part looks like "feel good" stuff for those people who do actually need it. Any salesmen knows that when a potential customer feels good, they're more likely to spend money.

Which would be the point, right?

Another great idea from the Republicans! Yes folks the same people that gave us "Let's tax unemployment benefits, but don't even think about taxing the rich"

Didn't America just make a statement in the last election?

Larry B
Bend, OR

I wanted to add to my last comment about us small business owners. My husband has two full time employees that he pays huge amounts of money for in payroll taxes. Including their salaries and other business expenses, we have had to learn how to live on very little. He is one of the hardest working men I know. The fruits of his labor are beginning to pay off just now three years into this venture. I know other small business owners are struggling right now too and their tax returns may show that they "make too little." In fact, we are the folks that need this stimulus the most. Thanks for asking the question and helping to remind your viewers that making too little money does not mean you are not working hard enough and not contributing your fair share of revenue to the government in the form of taxes in other ways. Bottom line, finally we have a President that understands this financial crisis. We will not spend our money on junk from China or gas from the Middle East. We will spend our stimulus on food. We buy only food grown and processed in the US.

I think that they should exclude any taxpayer that made over $250,000 last year. And of course pay pr0rate & pay that amount in addition to those who did"t make enough to pay taxes. Ed in Cheyenne

Yes, every one that is required by the Internal Revenue to file an income tax form should be part of the stimulus plan. Although I would rather they stop the hemorrhaging of jobs and keep the few dollars that I will get from this package.

Yes! In fact lets give all tax payers some of that bailout money they've been giving to banks and financial institutions who have been going on junkets, paying out bonuses, decorating their offices or buying jets.
The tax payer will pay down their debt, buy cars, homes or appliances that will help the economy allot more.

I found out today that my increase has been frozen, however all of the upper management will get their pay increase and bonuses! The rich get richer!

I guess that we could just 'let them eat cake'! They truely are at the bottom of the 'tricke down' food chain. It's not like we're replacing their Corolla's with a new Mercedes SLR McLaren Roadster (how many Senators have one of those or an equivalent?).

After all, how many citzens below the minimum tax horizon (without special deductions that aren't available to the underpriveliged)?

Perhaps we could we fund their part of the stimulus by taking back a couple mil from one or two of those 100M/year execs who seem to have sucked everything out of the economy just prior to the fall. .........those very same leaders who demonstrated that they can ride an up wave, but somehow missed the gigantic cloud on the horizon. These guys managed to rack up some pretty nice bank accounts just before the country ran out of money. Perhaps they sucked up a little more than the should have by underestimating the reserves that might be needed by some of these underpaid workers?

Let's get real, Jack, this is a small minded political football that's being fielded by the losing team.

Perhaps we need a few more of the 'under taxed' to give up a house or two and follow the example of Gates, Buffet, and that Turner-guy who made the same suggestion few years back.

They deserve it more than the jerks getting the bail out or those earning over $150,000! I am appalled at our government & how little we can do about it. Squash the little guy, reward the liars & rich – it's all insane.

Jack,

Wished I had my rebate check so I could go to the SuperBowl just down the road, and get my stimulus package on!!

Of course!!! Jack, I think this was a waste of a question.

Of course these tax paying individuals should get a "rebate"! Banks and businesses have far more write offs and subsidies where by ratio they pay far less in taxes than the average working citizen. Thankfully businesses cannot officially write off lobby costs. Perhaps we should adopt the Value Added Tax (VAT) that allows other free nations the revenue to provide projects and services beneficial to everyone including big business. This shell game that our tax system plays with the majority of working America's money comes with no representation for "We the People" let alone oversight for the spending that occurs for "They Big Business".

I'm not sure rebate checks are the answer. would like to see other program, ie: work projects, incentives for businesses. (more long lasting answers) however, if approved all should get one. If things keep going the way they are economically we will be starting at square one anyway. "Trickle down went down", time for change.
Colorado Mom

These people are taxpayers who already receive a refundable tax credit - The Earned Income Tax Credit, which many use to purchase cars, buy clothes and food for their children. Yes they should receive the rebate which they are likely to use to purchase cars, clothes and pay rent and utilties. Many of the banks that received TARP money will not pay federal income tax. Does this mean they should not receive federal assistance? These banks continued refusal to lend money to qualified consumers has not stimulated the US economy. I'll cast my vote for a rebate check for a single mother – who despite hard work and sweat does not earn enough to pay federal income taxes but is nevertheless taxed in many other ways.

Marxism for all.

The people who don't make enough to pay taxes are the ones who need the tax rebate. They certainly can use the money and it will get spent, thus helping the economy.

Jack, if Republican Leader John Boehner puts on the Beounce outfit and has a dance with Wolf on the Situation room I say say no, but if John doesn't put out than all low income Americans should be entitled to the tax breaks and rebates

Jack,
If you want to know how bad this economy is; come to Prince William County in Virginia. Some streets are like ghost towns. People are moving out, no property taxes and next, schools will be closing...
Where were these republicans when we were spending $12 billions per month since 2003? You know why people pf Irak are happy? Because they are building their country every day. CRANES are all over.

Has any party dicuss the possibilities of a cross the board flat tax? if not why not ?

We can save money by getting rid of this lameduck congress that always seems to put up blockages and offer no solutions,just complaints.

If the wealthy would just pay their fair share of taxes instead of finding ways out of paying through all their loopholes, that extra money could be given to the working poor in the form of child care, education help. Tax rebates (return) is not really fair if you did not pay taxes in the first place. Look to other solutions.

Yes, of course! Honest hard working tax payers should receive a stimulus check. If that’s the case then don’t take taxes from those who earn “too little” as if too little don’t help the economy!
Chris

No. They still won't make enough to pay taxes on the rebate, therefore, where's the revenue coming from?

Absolutely 100% yes . These people are below the poverty level already their struggle is more about where to eat or sleep tonight or what to feed their kids, this group grows as I write this and you read it . These people couldnt respond to this question because they dont have tv, or computers or even phones .

Its bad in this country they know it , have known it for years . The last administration has thrown them and american values down the tube and refused to take responsibitlity . I hope this administration doesnt follow that path and am waiting to see if they actually enforce the laws that are in place to protect america as well as prosecute those in the last administration and those in banking and business who are responsible for this madness.

You should get what you give. That should be our new national motto. Cut taxes for everyone and stop spending so much. It's that simple. If people actually had to pay for what they got dollar for dollar they wouldn't be so quick to ask for so much. When you try to legislate everything the American people think they're entitled to, you quickly find that our eyes are bigger than our wallets. It's really easy to dream big with someone else's money. The Left trying to legislate the "American Dream" into Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is what caused the housing crisis and the current credit crisis. They've been pumping up our economy on steroids and trying to blame the Right when we get punched by the 'roid rage.

Of course they should. The poor are the one's who need all the help they can get. They will spend the money. Why is it that people think that the upper class who know every way there is to get out of paying their fair share of taxes should get all the tax breaks. They will save any money they get. back.. It is the Hannity's, Limbaughs and O'Reilly's of the world who are against it. Audrey Washington State

I have been and continue to be a big supporter of President Obama, however I question whether any of these tax cuts make a difference. The stimulas package that was passed in the second quarter of 2008 that put checks in the hands of consumers did not make any difference at all toward stimulating the economy. We spent over $300 million and it came and went with consumers either saving the money,paying down debt or blowing it at Wal-Mart. What I do believe in is long term job creation in areas that are strategic for us like education, alternative energy, infrastructure and health care. There is no quick fix for this mess but we must fix these long term problems and create sustainable good domestic jobs in the process.

I don't think so. I think he desperately wants Congress to get it together and work the bill. Even if the bill is change from original form, it's okay as long as Congress gets it done. I didn't vote for him but I say don't cut taxes just yet because where will the money come from? If people are loosing jobs, that means less taxes sucked in by the gov't. DON'T INCREASE EITHER, you promised (at least if I make less than $200K, you said it). I say the Republicans should get concessions to table the tax thing until the economy gets a little bit better and unemployment drops. Bye the way, Peloski and Reed have to go, they will be big trouble for Congress.

Jack, this is no different than the tax rebate check under Bush last year. When you didn't have to do anything but file a tax form. Whether you had any earned income or not!!!! And many people just filed tax forms just to get that $500 check!!!! No difference and all the Rep's went along with that...........didn't they!!!!! But that was under BUSH!!! OH.......................so different that wanted to support their leader so much, give me a break.

I just can't believe that the House thinks its there money to start with.I mean what gives.We the hard working people of this counrty put that money there and i believe we should have a say so on where it goes.It doesn't seem right that we make the deposits but we can't decide where the money goes.WOW!!!!!!!

Yes, I believe all Legal Americans should get a check. I have been disabled for 8 years of a back inhjury. Paided for all my medical bills, daughters college , and my family living cost out of my own pocket. I have not payed tax for several years because of this. Dont I deserve a check.
What about the population of workers that work for less than minimal wage, maybe only part time, or self employed.
After all the extra money our Goverment got from Gasoline taxes last year, letting gas prices rises out of control.
I believe $500.00 back is fair.
Dale
Southern California

a tax is a tax is a tax.

Pay em

This whole tax break thing is just crazy. Taxes educate our children, fund our police and fire, build roads and bridges, and provides services. Seems to me that taxes actually create jobs and jobs are what we really need to pay our mortgages and allow us to buy goods and services. We need to return to the days when everyone paid their fair share based on earnings. If you owed nothing , there was no handout, If you were wealthy, you paid your share and still lived wealthy ever after. Under Eisenhower that was how it was and we built super highways and infrastructure that employed hundreds of thousands of people. Tax cuts have not built anything and just look at all of the unemployment today after years of tax cuts.

Yes! I think everyone should qualify for the stimulus...I think we all watch the stories on the news regarding how bad things are for the "have nots" of America, but unless you are living it... you do not know how desperate you feel for a little financial relief.. ANYTHING would help. Seeing all the hoopla about the Bailouts makes me feel bitter and forgotten, and I used to call my family middle class??? Oh, well!

They need it more than anyone. Do you know how much you have to earn in order to get a $740,000 rebate? All I can say is the interest, ON THE INTEREST of a billion dollars is 10,000 a DAY. (6% interest used)

Jack, if you are going to give out government money to stimulate the economy who do you think will be the most likely to spend it – the rich who don't need extra money or the less wealthy who have stopped spending money that they don't have?

I understand that my congressman has slipped into the stimulus package a provision that all residents of my state will be exempt from federal income taxes from now on. I think it is somewhere between page 365 and 599. So lets pass this thing!!!!

Give a man a fish and feed him for a day.
Give him a job fishing and feed him for life.

The whole point of earning a rebate is that you've significantly contributed to begin with.

Should people who earn too little to pay income tax be given tax rebates?

Absolutely Not. Rather than attempting to redistribute wealth by increasing taxes on higher paid workers, we need to focus on eliminating waste in government programs and spending.

Obama, I love you and I voted for you, but one thing you have wrong is the misconception that people who earn more than $250k a year are living in the lap of luxury.

If you could see the NYC tiny studio apt that my spouse and I live in, you would never guess that we pay 51% of our earnings in taxes (we happen to fall in the highest tax bracket). My spouse and I do not work 12 hour days starting at 6:45 AM every day to subsidize tax rebates for people who do not earn enough to pay income taxes.

If we want to support a meritocracy, which I believe is necessary in a truly free society, we need to stop penalizing the higher-paid productive workers and we need to protect financial incentives for the people who are working hard for the money they make.

This country was built on working hard, not on giving out free lunches.

I am 71 years old and I have not paid income tax for the last 4 years because of medcial expense. Last year I kept track of all taxes I and my wife paid in quicken. Property, sales tax, gas tax, telephone, and all the extra taxes that the state and village hit us for. The grand total is $ 13,300. 00 on our ss & small pension. Tony Klama Hanover Park IL

Yes Jack they should eat too. Between starving and seeking a job, a body can get hungry, not to mention the average household has taken a 2,000 or more shortage because of the lost jobs. I used to make 40,000, and it was tough feeding a family of nine. Now I'm disabled suffering from depression because I now only earn 7,500 annually and can't look my husband in the face, because I worked longer hours for the same pay and broke my body down lifting sheetrock for seven years. The company thrived, and I got put out to pasture with no healthcare coverage.

I sure could use some of the money I put in the system, when I was young and healthy and not broken.

These are some Christians, that leave the people that slipped into this Bush darkness, hungry and about to loose their minds, trying to adjust to the jobs given to illegals, they trained to fill their job.

I am on GA General Assistance and have not been able to work for over 2 years. So people who do not make enough and those who do that make especially under $50,000 dollars should not have to pay taxes at all. This would help people have extra money especially those who have lost there jobs and their houses. Also lets see the the very rich with a family of 4 live off of $392.00 amonth in Ga General Assistance like I do. If the rich can get all the rich like during the Bush administration gave out.

They DEFINITELY should! In the eyes of those who make less than the necessary amount to pay income taxes, the payroll tax and the income tax are exactly the same! If anyone thinks that the payroll tax is not a tax is crazy! These people might not even live long enough to retire, and reap the benefits of their payroll tax deductions. Many of these individuals are not even smart enough to utilize other welfare benefits that they may qualify for, and many are not even legal citizens so they can never utilize the deductions. Almost 33% of an individuals income goes to these taxes, which makes the minimum wage effectively less than 5 dollars an hour. How can anyone truly live on that?

Hey Jack, Geez, how easy is that question. The people who aren't paying income taxes usually have no income and they could certainly use some kind of stimulus. I doubt they would buy an airplane or remodel their tent or wherever they can find a place to live. Why is always about the rich in this country. Will they ever have enough. How sad. Doesn't look promising.
Bettye in Oregon

Of course ! Ask a friend " how much federal tax do you pay"
Most answer, "I'm getting a refund"... We are so savey with our money!

You work, you get a refund !

Jack – I care for my disabled son at home. I don't earn enough money to pay income taxes. I would use a stimulus check on groceries, gasoline and medicine.

ps $5,000 for everyone earning $250,000 or less.

Yes! Yes! These people probably need the money more than anyone else. But whatever amount they get, it won't be enough. They have so many needs!

We've got to believe that anyone not paying taxes is on the margin. It's not like we're replacing their Corolla's with a new Lexus 450 (how many republican congressmen have one of those?).

With the exception of a few scammers, I'd be willing to bet that the majority of these people have been at the bottom of the 'trickle-down' trough trying to figure out where the trickle actually was. Seems like it makes sense to ask the other pigs move over for a bit.

In a word, yes. Some of us are students who are broke, broke, broke, and just trying to stay afloat. So yes, that $300 could help me buy groceries so I don't starve. I, personally, thank the President for standing his ground.

It is so amazing that the Republican now seem to know what to do .
They had 8 years and did nothing. It is so sad that their ignorance would not allow them to try something new.

Yes, both my son and daughter work p/t. My son is trying to put himself through college and my daughter is saving for her first car as we cannot afford pay for those items. What is wrong with giving these two hard working young people a rebate. ITS NOT WELFARE. What my kids make in a year wouldn't even pay for the polo lessons for some republicans children, its about time fairness returns to all Americans.

Sure the poor should receive these rebate checks... but only to the registered Democrats as I'm sure those Republican poor would not want the government to waste taxpayer dollars on them.

Yes, these people are entitled to the same treatment as other workers who make more money–who probably take advantage of all the loopholes they can? Maybe they worked for 50 years and contributed, but now are limited by what they can earn and keep their SSA? This would have to be a case-by-case basis, and there is no time or personnel to make it fair, obviously. All of this category of workers are not lazy, ignorant, "welfare frauds" or whatever the Republicans want to label them. Get some backbone, Democrats, and hey, payback is hell for the Republicans, but this is a more critical time than to give in to their mewling on behalf of the 5% rich folks with 95% of the money.

No Obama should not break his promise to hold back on raising taxes on the rich.

So many people are out of work and losing their jobs.The Rich only want tax cuts. Poor and middle income people have lost or are losing their jobs. You can't cut their taxes cause they have nothing to cut That gives them no stimulus. All Republicans want are tax cuts they want more money eventhough most Americans have nothing. They are very selfish and don't care if others die at their expense.

Damn it, Jack, I just heard you read some of the responses to this question, but I'm astonished that you failed to mention that people who didn't owe income taxes were given a rebate for the PREVIOUS economic stimulus! And for the same reason, namely, that we pay things like withholding, Medicare, Social Security, etc.

Jeez Louise, what is it with these people who are so willing to give taxpayer money to banks and Wall Street investment firms, with NO requirements for accountability and/or limitations to executive perks, while at the same time bemoaning ANY kind of help for those who really need it?????

It is ridiculous for a bill to bailout the banks to easily be passed by the republicans yet, a bill to bail out americans is called the worst abuses of power in history.

Absolutely – but tie this in with it: The money can only be spent on "widgets" made by legal American hands in America. Don't have any in stock? – o.k. put sombody back to work!

Yes people who didn't make enough to pay taxes should recieve a rebate they will use the money to buy food and pay for living expenses at there local stores, not buy a corporate jet made in France. That really helps our economy. Thank-you for asking a question that really reflects our values to help those in need it is about time.

People are confused when you talk aout those that don't pay income tax. It has bee deemed that if you don't make enough you don't have to. As wolf and you both pointed out they still pay their share of social security and other taxes. So yes they should get a tax rebate. They are likely to put it back into the economy sooner than most.

Ok so there are 300 million people living in the US- how about giving everyone $2750 (that's 825 billion divided among all of us) That would certaintly stimulate our economy!! Even my family that makes around $150,000 (and no we are not rich) would greatly benefit from this.

Jack, I worked my b__t off for 30 years, and paid taxes through the nose, until I got sick. Now, the government's Social Security Disability expects me to survive in this economy on $1200/month. I pay the taxes everyone else does, sales tax, property tax, etc., AND must survive on $14,400/year. I will never be able to live alone, or support myself 100% until my disease kills me. Shouldn't I get part of the stimulus package? Shouldn't I get a little help? Should the Disabled rise up and demand more money per month? I'm literally sick and tired of having no voice. Thanks for the opportunity, Jack.

yes.

Absolutely not!

I used to be in the category that did not pay income tax. I got out of that bracket ON MY OWN! No one in government helped me, none of these people posting helped me. I DID IT!

To simply give a handout to those who don't pay income tax not only takes away any incentive for them to pick themselves up, it diminishes my accomplishments and those like me!

nothing i post get's through. folks that is censorship. i am not cursing...am i ? what happened to free speech? did we give that up too? and as far as the working people. i am working people. i ama plumber for 10-12 hours a day, then come home and work on the business i began in my spare bedroom. i am on call 6 months a year and work insane ungodly hours. snow, ice, heat. i have been doing this since i left the military after serving in the gulf war. vet status means nothing these days, your better off on welfare. at least your president will bail you out if you blow your money on bad investments. what if everyone like me just sat back. who would pick up the slack...???? not the folks that obama is giving checks to. you can bet on that. go ahead dont post this message. it will be reported on many other sites that cnn has censored non-offensive comments.

It's a ridiculous question to ask whether or not American's deserve this "rebate". They pay taxes in other areas of the American economy, which gives them the RIGHT to a "rebate". I must agree with Republicans at this point concerning this "stimulous and recovery package", there are some very good ideas yet some very BAD ideas as to where this money should be spent. Pres. Obama's comment of being open to ideas seems to be falling short in hearing out the ideas the Republicans are throwing out there, to make this package make more sense for the American economy. 634 page bill, thats alot of reading, and most likely was made as such in hopes of things slipping through the cracks of this plan in order to get it through. I dont believe that this package is true to heart in boosting jobs or our economy! Pres. Obama's comment "If it works we'll continue it, if it doesn't we'll get rid of it"...well guess what...how can you make that statement, and then NOT stick to it with your demand of change in the government! The tactics are the same, the slipping through the cracks method of government is still the same, benefit the government before benefit to the people is still the same....refusing to find a COMMON GROUND AND COMPROMISE in passing major spending bills is still the same...now Mr. President...tell the people again WHERE THE CHANGE IS! Many of us are having a hard time seeing it, even if the ONLY change we see is the constant plastering of news of meetings and such, which btw...we never get the FULL story there...oh wait...I'm sorry...thats not anything new either...*sigh*

Sincerely,
Still Hunting For Change
(as are many americans since we're out of jobs!)

Jack,

Republicans are so full of themselves. For 8 years they said nothing about what George and Dick were up to because that the ground rules they were under. Shut up and act scared. Money for the not so lucky follow Americans, they are still marching to the Bush tune. Screw the little guy.

Jack,
In stead of a $825 Bil. stimulas, why not try giving every US citizen living in the US 18 and older a $1 Mil. ( tax free if you make under $200,000.00 per year) stimulas check. Within 6 mounths to a year every bit of it will be put back in the economy. The banks will get the money they need, every one will be buying new cars houses and paying off existing bills. We have seen how the trickle down theory works ( $Mil. bonuses, parties and new Jets. Why not try a new trickle up theory and see how well that works. It can't do any worse that the current policy.

Eddie,
Georgia

Jack,
I keep hearing "we all must give alittle"in these hard times. Let's start with dropping the pay of all elected officials to minimum wage.I'm sure they can live on that.They have helped over the years to ship out most of our well paying jobs,so let them try liveing on what they are worth.

DIDN'T ANYONE HEAR ABOUT THE MORTGAGE INTEREST RATE CUT TO 4 % OFFERED BY THE REPUBLICANS??

I voted for Obama, but the Republicans offered the BEST SOLUTION TO THE ECONOMIC CRISIS. Today in a CNN interview, Mitch McConnel shared the republicans plan to cut all home mortgage loan rates to 4%!!!!

This would save the American household Thousands of dollars each year and would provide "extra" cash for us to put back into the economy. I don't know about you, but if I can save $800 a month by paying LESS INTEREST on my home loan, I am very likely to put some of that money back into the economy and market. Especially when I KNOW THAT I WILL BE POCKETING THAT SAVINGS NEXT MONTH TOO!! And for decades to come. THIS IS THE SOLUTION TO THE ECONOMY!

YES-they do! People who do not pay income taxes do not qualify to pay because they do not make over $15,000 or even make that amount. They do have taxes taken out of their checks for FiCA, income tax, etc. just like everyone else and they deserve a refund based on amount they earn!!! Remember these people at bottom of the payroll income have to pay other taxes too! Property tax, gasoline taxes, sales tax, State taxes,etc. just like all the wealthy have to pay their share, or do they? I have paid more in taxes than some very wealthy people I know and that is because of inflation these last few years. So I could keep up with my taxes, ins. etc. I have used what little money for retirement I had to make ends meet. So where is the Pork? At the top!

We stimulate the economy when people buy things. If you give a poor family a $1,000 rebate, they will go out the next day and buy shoes for the kids, a new winter coat for mom and maybe catch up on their mortgage payments. If you give someone earning more than $250,000/year a $1,000 rebate, they'll put the money in the bank. Who is stimulating the economy? The working poor will help us get our economy back on track.

Jack, I worked my b__t off for 30 years, and paid taxes through the nose, until I got sick. Now, the government’s Social Security Disability expects me to survive in this economy on $1200/month. I pay the taxes everyone else does, sales tax, property tax, etc., AND must survive on $14,400/year. I will never be able to live alone, or support myself 100% until my disease kills me. Shouldn’t I get part of the stimulus package? Shouldn’t I get a little help? Should the Disabled rise up and demand more money per month? I’m literally sick and tired of having no voice. Thanks for the opportunity, Jack.

Dana
Austin, TX

Absolutely they shoud be given rebates! Also...most definitely people on Social Security who pay NNO taxes should get a rebte (as 'we' did when Bush gave us 'his' stimulus').
Whether or not 'we' or other 'pay taxes'...we ARE affected by the same poor ecomony, the constantly rising prices etc. Why SHOULNT we ge a 'stimulus' TOO?

I love it!! I've been listening to this crap from the Republicans all day today (we had a blizzard and I'm stuck in the house but I suppose I could have changed the channel).
The regular people that pay all the OTHER taxes (property, meals, etc.) and worked hard all their lives and paid income taxes when they worked hard before they either grew too old to work or lost their job should count, too. In my book they count more than the the so-called taxpayers that hide ALL their money in off-shore accounts and take bailouts to buy expensive antiques and rugs for their offices.

How come Cantor and the rest of these jerks never worried about the money we were blowing to hell in an unnecessary and illegal war in Iraq or the tax breaks they gave the oil companies so they could make these obscene profits they made?

I also never heard him complain about the disgraceful goings-on at the Dept of the Interior when they were giving away our land and resources–that belonged to all of us–for drugs, sex and bribes. Imagine how much money the last eight years of waste, corruption and plain old evil has used up!! Enough so we wouldn't have to worry about whether people that can't afford it are paying taxes or not.

Jack,
Military families should receive an extra bonus, especially if their service involved the "Reserve". All medical insurances for reservists, military and their families should be covered up to 5 years after service.

Trickle up may actually work as noted by Justin .... the low income folks will actually SPEND the "stimulus". For everyone expecting that the money will just go to drugs, yes, some might ..... like some might go to stupid corporate purchases or lie in wait in some bank. But, for the most part the checks just might go to pay a tuition, a rent, car purchase [even a used car], clothing purchases or food. Money gets into circulation immediately.

As a Farmer in KY I know that in order to grow anything you have to feed and water the roots. Imagine if the govt gave $12,000 to every adult earning under $200,000 in the U.S. It may not seem like a lot to the upper crust but it would be life changing to millions of people that have been excluded from the American Dream. The money would be distributed in the form of plastic and could only be spent on goods and services MADE in the USA. People would buy cars, pay bills, use it for education. This would be a true stimulis action that would feed our economy from the roots through to the bloom. In order to grow you have to feed the roots not the bloom.
carl
Adams, KY

nothing i post get's through. folks that is censorship. i am not cursing...am i ? what happened to free speech? did we give that up too? and as far as the working people. i am working people. i ama plumber for 10-12 hours a day, then come home and work on the business i began in my spare bedroom. i am on call 6 months a year and work insane ungodly hours. snow, ice, heat. i have been doing this since i left the military after serving in the gulf war. vet status means nothing these days, your better off on welfare. at least your president will bail you out if you blow your money on bad investments. what if everyone like me just sat back. who would pick up the slack...???? not the folks that obama is giving checks to. you can bet on that. go ahead dont post this message. it will be reported on many other sites that cnn has censored non-offensive comments.

nancy....i am from jersey as well....if you dont earn enough, so be it. i was never given any stimulus in 1989, while serving this country in war as a 17 year old kid. being paid just over 200 a week, to fight for our country....tell your daughter and son to work harder...im sorry. and dont come back with the you will understand when you have kids..i do and i have saved from day 1 so he will have a good life...sorry if i feel good about that and dont want handouts for those who dont work as hard.
LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY !!

Jack
Why does nobody ask where the outrage was for all those years the republicans were in charge and there was unfettered spending and Bush couldn't find the veto pen – at least not until the the Democrates became the majority. After all the years of republican policy that got us into this mess, they have some nerve all of a sudden acting like they are fiscal conservatives. Could it be that the stimulus package might actually help those of us that have "real" jobs but have seen our spendable income deteriorate. Don't they understand that the people that don't have much will immediately spend the money somewhere and help businesses which are hurting. – Jan S.

Yes they should receive it. This sounds to me like another republican ideaology of giving money only to those they feel should receive it,..... Ie. the wealthy and large corporations. Truthfully i could vomit from hearing the republicans cry and whine about what they think should be done to resolve this crisis. After all, it wasn't it the rebublican ideologies that got us into this crisis? Since the last eight years have been filled with failed republican practices and coruption that we have yet to hear of, I plead to the Democrats in congress, "Please take the lead and assure the people of the United States that someone actually cares about us and will fix this problem. "

nancy….i am from jersey as well….if you dont earn enough, so be it. i was never given any stimulus in 1989, while serving this country in war as a 17 year old kid. being paid just over 200 a week, to fight for our country….tell your daughter and son to work harder…im sorry. and dont come back with the you will understand when you have kids..i do and i have saved from day 1 so he will have a good life…sorry if i feel good about that and dont want handouts for those who dont work as hard.
LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY !!

Yes they should be given a tax rebate. There are people that work hard everyday, who were unable to go to college and get a degree to obtain a decent job. They still do a job that big business needs. They are consumers and support our economy to the best of their ability. The dollars they do pay in taxes have been given to big business for their bail out. Big business in turn should have given those same consumers a new start by letting their payments start over at a decent interest rate. The lower middle class is working an only able to afford to pay their bills and hopefully have health insurance, and yes like big business sometimes lives above their means. I feel the stimulus should not only include avenues for job creation, but also a larger check for the low income and middle income worker.

Hi Jack:

The main purpose of the stimulus rebates is to put money in peoples'
pocket, so they can run to the mall & spent it , so it would pump the economy. So, why worry whose pocket it is, as long as they are here legally. However, by all means do not give to the rich, as they'll just trow it(stimulus money) into their mountain of cash & it wouldn't do anything for the economy.

thanks, regards

Simon
Baldwin park, CA

Republicans, resistance to the Stimulus Packages seems to be allign with how the country voted. All RED states TN., TX., GA., and LA. This leaves me to wonder if they are all in agreement with Rush.... "I want President Obama to FAIL". Maybe just Maybe they, The Republican, feel the same as RUSH.

President Obama does not have to exaggerate the crisis, Look and Listen to CNN, unemployment, business lay-off etc. As well as the Stock market
Louisiana

you know what....this is a big bread line...i see this now....take your bread and go home.
hello socialism !!