What will you do with your rebate?

So how many of you have already started thinking about how you would spend $800 (single) or $1,600 (married) if Bush's tax rebate comes to fruition? That's great - consumer spending is just what's needed to inject some life into an economy teetering at the edge of recession.

You may be aware of the debate raging over who should and should not receive this tax rebate. (Note: those numbers above are maximums, most people will get less.) Bush's plan includes rebates to all federal income tax payers. Yes, multi-millionaires for whom $800 is throwaway money - an amount they might spend on, say, a mushroom or a dog bed.

Some believers in "trickle down economics" contend that money given at the top will create jobs and opportunity for the rest of us. I guess they need someone to cook the mushroom and sweep up the dog hair. Only problem is that it will take more than 800 bucks to do that.

Although people like us will appreciate the extra money, the benefit for the working poor would be astounding. Can you imagine the difference a couple of hundred dollars would make in their lives? Without a doubt, every penny would go back into our economy on such luxuries as: groceries, shoes and clothing for their kids, fuel to heat their homes, gas to get them to work, a visit to the dentist. Basics that even we middle class folks take for granted.

Under Bush's plan, the most needy won't see a dime. A family of four earning less than $24,900 - perhaps those who need help the most - would not be eligible for the rebate.

Sure, we all feel financial strain, particularly with a recession looming. And a few hundred bucks would help with some immediate needs or be a nice addition to your savings account. But I am appalled that those who need it most would get nothing, while those who need it least can skip their Lexus LS 460 payment for one month.