The title sums it up. If you're pressed for time, it says it all and you can move along. But here is my reasoning.
In the two businesses that I'm involved in, I've seen an economic slowdown. So, I'm in favor of injecting some money into the economy. That is the key and it should be done wisely. Should and when that money come to us, it should be spent, not banked. A service should be purchased or something material should be bought.
An example of a service would be maintenance, repair or improving your heating and air conditioning system, plumbing, electrical or other home improvement. Most of that money stays locally. But buy products that are made in the USA. As most electronics are made overseas and sold by big box stores that funnel much of the profit out of the area, avoid such purchases unless you are in need of the product. I don't think any of us NEED a wall sized high definition home theater system! Have a pet in the house? There are lots of offerings for them. Try to purchase your pet items from a pet store rather than a department store and try to find one that is owned locally.
How about your transportation? It can be hard to buy American but doing some needed repairs on your car, motorcycle, boat or snowmobile helps the local economy. If you use the money for a down payment, do it on an American brand but make sure that it is build in the USA. Remember that Chrysler has an engine plant in Kenosha, GM makes trucks and SUV's in Janesville and Johnson Control in Milwaukee makes batteries and other car parts. I don't know much about Ford in Wisconsin but do know that some components are made in Sheboygan.
Finally, who should get the checks to begin with. Here I get controversial. Some say that if you pay taxes, you should get a check. If you don't pay taxes, you don't get a check. If this is to be an injection of money into the economy, it should be given to those that will spend it. In my opinion, that means it should start from the bottom of the economic scale. How much one pays in taxes, if any, should not be the determining factor. Above a certain income level, you continue to buy what you want and when you want it with or without the stimulus money. Why not help those that can use a financial boost the most?
Too bad most shoes and clothes are no longer made in the USA.
