Stimulus Letter Falls Short
April 21st 2009 11:52
Today, a letter from the Australian Tax Office arrived, re: Stimulus Payment for $900 (although the money has not been deposited in my account yet). The letter, dated April 16th 2009, is nothing more than a boring statement saying that the money will be paid into the bank account nominated in 2008's tax return. Surely this a missed opportunity for Swan et al to include a paragraph or two about the economy and reassure the public that Labor will get Australia through this time.
In a free country, one can save/spend money as he or she pleases if earned by his or her own effort. However it is perplexing that such a large handout of cash should be given with no provisos or even a signed note from Kevin Rudd. Perhaps the Government could explain the reasoning behind the stimulus handout or recommend supporting Australian goods and services during this time. After all, former PM John Howard was quite successful in targeting households via post and even fridge magnets regarding issues such as terrorism and violence against women and he didn't even have to give out cash.
It has been said that most people hear what they want to hear so I doubt notice of a surprise bonus has escaped the knowledge of even the most uninformed citizen. In fact, one Brisbane bank manager has her hands in the air in exasperation as every Ignoramus and their Bogan Cousin has barged into the bank asking when they will get K Rudd's money. In fact, this bank manager reports, many of these people have already started spending their stimulus money before they've received it, on IPods, phones, big screen TV's and other bling.
Therefore, a message from the Treasurer, and even the Prime Minister, probably would not deter such wasteful indulgence, but may at least provide some cred for the public's poor perception of Labor's economic management and possibly even provide some altruistic and responsible taxpayers some direction of how best to stimulate the economy, so it does exactly that, stimulates the Australian economy and keep more people employed.
In a free country, one can save/spend money as he or she pleases if earned by his or her own effort. However it is perplexing that such a large handout of cash should be given with no provisos or even a signed note from Kevin Rudd. Perhaps the Government could explain the reasoning behind the stimulus handout or recommend supporting Australian goods and services during this time. After all, former PM John Howard was quite successful in targeting households via post and even fridge magnets regarding issues such as terrorism and violence against women and he didn't even have to give out cash.
It has been said that most people hear what they want to hear so I doubt notice of a surprise bonus has escaped the knowledge of even the most uninformed citizen. In fact, one Brisbane bank manager has her hands in the air in exasperation as every Ignoramus and their Bogan Cousin has barged into the bank asking when they will get K Rudd's money. In fact, this bank manager reports, many of these people have already started spending their stimulus money before they've received it, on IPods, phones, big screen TV's and other bling.
Therefore, a message from the Treasurer, and even the Prime Minister, probably would not deter such wasteful indulgence, but may at least provide some cred for the public's poor perception of Labor's economic management and possibly even provide some altruistic and responsible taxpayers some direction of how best to stimulate the economy, so it does exactly that, stimulates the Australian economy and keep more people employed.
| 44 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
