While I like Government Stimulus Checks (my tax money being returned to me), I don't think they are having the intended affect; but I have no data to back that up. Also, the government is in debt, and running a deficit; we are eventually going to have to pay this back, presumably an improved economy will do that down the road, but I still don't like it.

Anyway, I could go on and on about the money buying Chinese goods and not really helping the American economy, but I won't.

Instead I have an idea I would like to float and get your feedback; also I would like to see if others who post here have better ideas about how to stimulate the economy. I really don't want this to be a ideological thing and people posting about tax policy, etc. Let's try and keep the discussion limited to let's say the government has $600 it wants to return to you to help the economy; how could this be better spent?

My idea is this. I would work with private business's like Home Depot or Walmart to give each American taxpayer up to 20 fluorescent light bulbs to replace their incandescent light bulbs. You would buy the bulbs from any business you like; and submit the receipt with your tax return for a full refund. This would ensure competition as each business would want a piece of these sales. More importantly let's say the 20 new bulb's cost $50. Of the $600 they want to spend, they would immediately see some energy saving benefits across the country and our dependence on foreign oil would be lessened even if it is fractionally; and the consumers energy bills would go down.

I haven't thought through other items the Government could target to have multiple benefits to our country, I am hoping that others that post here would have some imaginative solutions as well.

The stimulus checks did have the desired effect. The people spent it until there was none left. The idea that the stimulus checks would be a cure-all was always absurd . It was an election year stunt .

I think what would be stimulative would be if the government weren't collecting those taxes in the 1st place . If the government had money to return; that means they over-taxed .

I think that a big investment in CFC bulbs is short sighted . They are environmentally hazardous. Just look at the recommended disposal procedures.

Better to invest and support LED bulb development.They have no mercury(every CFC bulb contains five milligrams of mercury, which would be enough to contaminate 6,000 gallons of drinking water) ;last almost forever and use 1/10th the energy.

Great idea; thank you for bringing me up to speed on the CFC bulbs.

Hello Tex:

Nuthin different... I'm going to buy more gold. It's cheap.

excon

I have direct deposit once the money was in I called my bank and said I would like to put $600.00 towards my loan. Now my loan is fully paid off 2 months early.

LED RULES!!