Monday, May 5, 2008

Morality and "Free" Money

So, it turns out that writing a solid essay a week is quite a substantial task. Especially the week of Renn Fayre. That said, I wanted to post something as to stay in the habit. Come hell or high water, there will be an actual essay next week.

As you may or may not have heard, Americans who earned more than $3000 last year will be getting at least $300 as their share of the $150 billion (with a B) "stimulus package." The purpose of the bill is to rescue our economy from a recession by giving everyone who doesn't plan on dieing in the next few years a credit card. We spend, then pay it off over the next 30 odd years in the form of 1) higher taxes or 2) reduced services. Unless the government were to default on its debts, these are the only two options. As Michael Kinsely, one of my favorite political writers, says, "telling Americans they need to borrow and spend just a little bit more to get us past this recession—and then reform their ways—is like telling an alcoholic he needs one more drink before sobering up." In the coming months, I plan on writing more on this and related issues, so I will instead turn to the moral question at hand:

Despite my complete dislike of the bill, I expect to receive a check none-the-less. Should I burn it publicly, as Gandhi burned his racial I.D. card in South Africa, or plunge right in and go buy a shiny new iPod as the President and Congress beg me to?

At the present, I would still consider a public burning if I could find some others to join me (let me know). Otherwise, I'm planning to donate the money to a charity doing some work I think the government should be doing. Like taking care of Iraq and Afganistan veterans, who are killing themselves faster than the terrorists kill do. Or promoting a non-petroleum based economy. Or rebuilding New Orleans. Or providing health care to children without insurance. Or maintaining our nation's infrastructure. Or [fill in your pet project].

Call me old-fashioned, but I don't think the government should be spending our money on iPods.

4 comments:

Daniel said...

I wrote a longer comment, but my internet pissed out as I clicked the publish button... so, the gist of what I said was:
My youthful idealistic side is excited by the idea of a public burning, especially if I believed that we could generate enough support for such a public act so as to gain media coverage and make a bit of a splash. However, I don't feel very confident that we get people excited about throwing money away [even though it is really not all that much money]. The other side of me is the side that has invested a lot of money in moving to and living in LA and working freelance in the entertainment business and is now considering moving somewhere else; it's not a lot of money, but it could help me stay afloat through another move...
Anyway, let me know what you decide to do.

Mark said...

Well, so far it doesn't look like I'm getting a tax rebate, though I thought I had qualified. At least I haven't heard anything about it. Who knows. If I end up getting it at this point, I will donate it.

Daniel said...

Hmmm...
I hadn't thought about it in awhile, but I was under the impression that I would be receiving one as well and haven't. If I get one now, I will desperately spend it on car repairs.

Mark said...

I actually just received notice today that I will be getting my $300 within the next week. Maybe you've heard that by now as well. Either way, I hope you can get your car fixed. Morgan and I went out today for the first time to scout out some dealerships. The whole process is a daunting experience.