An economics professor named Steven E. Landsburg writes in tomorrow’s Washington Post that the economic stimulus package moving through Congress “is sure to do a lot of collateral damage” and won’t really stimulate the economy in the short or long haul. In the same Post, another economics professor, Andrew A. Samwick, says it should be called not a “stimulus package” but “deficit spending.”
For all I know, they’re right–they’re economists, after all. But $1,200-plus in this household’s pocket doesn’t really bother the personally fiscally sound mind that is mine. My worry is more how to use that money so that I contribute to the health of our world.
Now, I should note that I often just do what I want with the money I have, rather than worry about being a positive influence here on Earth. The thing is, with this possible money, our supposed president is calling me to a higher paying field. As I see it, here are several of my options, a few of which I’m actually considering:
1. Save the money and buy something later, like land.
2. Spend the money(preferably at Target) on unnecessary plastic objects made in China.
3. Invest the money in Ford or some other sinking lunk of steel. My brother did this once.
4. Invest in some sort of green technology that will never be affordable to me unless I invest the tax rebate of today in something like missiles to earn money towards a later purchase of that same green technology, which needs investment now.
5. Spend the money on something cool, like new windows for downstairs so that we can’t feel the breeze outside when we’re inside. This is a good idea because it will save me money in the long run, money that I’ll be glad for later to pay the taxes needed for this year’s possible rebates.
The good news, I guess, is that I don’t need to decide right this minute. As it is said, don’t change the diaper before it’s wet.
