Bush hails tax-rebate deal as ‘robust’

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Source: MSNBC

WASHINGTON - Congressional leaders announced a deal with the White House Thursday on an economic stimulus package that would give most tax filers refunds of $600 to $1,200, and more if they have children.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Congress would act on the agreement — hammered out in a week of intense negotiations with Republican Leader John A. Boehner and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson — “at the earliest date, so that those rebate checks can be in the mail.”

President Bush is hailing the deal with congressional leaders on tax rebates and business tax cuts as "an effective, robust and temporary set of incentives" that will boost the U.S. economy.

The rebates, which would go to about 116 million families, had appeal for both Democrats and Republicans. Pelosi’s staff noted that they would include $28 billion in checks to 35 million working families who wouldn’t have been helped by Bush’s original proposal. Republicans, for their part, were pleased that the bulk of the rebates — more than 70 percent, according to an analysis by Congress’ Joint Tax Committee — would go to individuals who pay taxes.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22782454/

[AndyA]

1. Hmmm...robust as in his "robust" economy that he's now trying to prop

up before it falls over and goes BOOM? :eyes:

Please, the only thing robust about Bush is his stupidity.

[gratuitous]

2. Robust?

As "robust" as the economy was just back in November? Or will we look at this "robust" stimulus package come March and wonder what the fuck all the hoopla was about? Or are the Republicans just playing us for suckers again, knowing that 60 days from now, nobody's going to remember all their grandiose statements?

[grilled onions]

3. He's Got The Bust Part Right

For many it will not be the spending spree he is longing for unless he considers a refill of heating oil a wild purchase! Many are so far down the beaten path they will spend it wildly on restocking a depleted larder,fill up the gas tank and replace those socks full of holes. Many,no doubt, will put it towards bills. What we need is not a quick fix but some real jobs here on terra firma USofA. Not perks for some to allow even more jobs to galavant across the pond. If we have jobs here the people WILL spend. But they need dependable,decent wages.

[ixion]

4. robust smelling... as in stinky and rotting

it is lip service, at best, to the mess they have created.

[Turbineguy]

5. "Every day I try and learn a new word.

Yesterday it was 'blowjob', today the word is 'robust'."

"Ro-Bust. Heh heh... I said "bust"!"

[Magleetis]

6. FUGWB

and the robust $600.00 you rode in on. Mine will go straight into savings under my mattress.

[wizstars]

16. think I'll donate mine to the Democratic Party......

...it has a delicious irony to it.

That's the best help for the economy I can think of--beating repugs.

[jpak]

7. jpak hails tax-rebate package as "sick republic joke"

It will have no meaningful impact on the economy.

Up North, it will go right into the heating oil tank - and into the gas tank everywhere else.

People will have to pay it back next year - and may *owe* taxes if their income declines.

(I'm parking mine in a savings account for next tax season)

No extension of unemployment benefits in a recession???

WTF

:puke:

[Iwasthere]

9. THAT"S right!!!

Why aren't more up in arms about that? I don't want a FUCKING loan !!!!! I was sooooo pissed off in 2001 when I found out I had to pay all of it back.

[unapatriciated]

13. Well I guess I'm glad I didn't get the first one

Poor single mothers who worked two jobs did not meet their requirments back then.But my repub neighbor did.

[sinkingfeeling]

8. Apparent;ly, that's the only adjective Bush knows.

[KansDem]

10. What does the "T" stand for?

I mean, I know what "Rob-Us" means but don't know how the "T" figures in...

[unapatriciated]

11. once again the least among us get screwed

But hey let's go shopping and buy more crap that will be in the land fill in six months. :banghead:

"Pelosi, D-Calif., agreed to drop increases in food stamp and unemployment benefits during a Wednesday meeting in exchange for gaining the rebates of at least $300 for almost everyone earning a paycheck, including those who make too little to pay income taxes."

[yy4me]

12. Let me get this straight. The couple that makes $150,000 will

get the same rebate as my husband and I. Hum! If I bother to do the math, we'll add that rebate to our Social Security checks plus my part time job and it will put us on even footing with the top tier recipients. Not that I will turn the money down but I'd gladly give my share if I made my half of the $150,000. Anyone here think the ceiling is just a little high? I don't know what the figure should be but our share will go to an oil tank fill--or partial fill.

Who's bright idea was this, anyway? Oh yea, I should have known.

[sinkingfeeling]

14. No, no one making above $75,000 gets anything.

[rainbow4321]

18. Looks like they may get something..but it is vague on amount

From the link:


The rebates would phase out gradually for individuals whose income exceeds $75,000 and couples with incomes above $150,000, aides said. Individuals with incomes up to $87,000 and couples up to $174,000 would get partial rebates. The caps are higher for those with children.

[pipoman]

26. Singles making 75k and couples making 150k

will get the top tier $600 (1.2k couple) plus $300 per dependent child. Over 75k/150k the benefit will reduce @ 5% per thousand of income over 75/150.

edit..of coarse this is just the congressional plan and the senate plan may differ, and the compromise may look nothing like either. Those eligible are anyone who made $3k or more in 2007 whether they paid income tax or not. The lowest amount, for those who paid no income tax, is $300 and that amount increases up to $600 for those who paid $600 or more in income tax.

[sakabatou]

15. Robust with a capital BUST

[truthisfreedom]

17. Bush hails self as best judge of everything he does...

[Orsino]

19. Therefore it isn't. n/t

[fshrink]

21. Yup. Reliable as a mirror.

[FreeStateDemocrat]

20. The package also includes close to $50 billion in business tax cuts.

[Blue State Bandit]

22. So I get $600 to pay my gas bill...

I guess it's better than Bush just giving it directly to his buddies in Dubai.

[OKNancy]

23. This plan isn't an advance FYI

Unlike a similar stimulus program in 2001, the money is an outright payment, not an advance or offset against the next year's tax filing.

[Acadia Blue]

25. Yes, but its not going to do anything but delay the inevitable

[Acadia Blue]

24. ROFLOL...Vitamin short and continuing bad diet. short term zero

[JeanGrey]

27. Hey will I get one? We only have social security and long term

disability which isn't taxable anyway but maybe I'm one of those guys the government thinks should get a check even if I don't pay taxes. Anybody know?