How about some real economic stimulus?

Ever since the announcement of the Bush administration’s emergency economic stimulus package, I’ve been fighting back my cynical nature. I tend to feel that I lead the typical American life, and feeling that way, I have to conclude that a lot of people are going to do with the money what we are, that’s right, HDTV! If we buy a cheap enough one we may even spring for a Wii while were at it, assuming we can find one. How in the world is my purchasing behavior going to stimulate the U.S. economy?
The fact that I’m tempted to actually do this, instead of doing the fiscally sound thing, and paying off a high interest credit card, sets off my conspiracy alarms. Not so much in a 911 cover-up sort of way, but more of a new opiate for the masses way. Who cares if we are slipping into a financial crisis as potentially disastrous as any in our country’s recent history, I can finally watch American Idol in HD!!

Ok, I admit that is a bit extreme, but I’m sure it is indicitive of how many average Americans will actually spend this rebate. Many people are going to get that big ticket item they’ve been putting off, and in many cases, the HDTV probably will fit that mold. I’m sure Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Amazon, and the like, will see a nice boost in sales this summer, but the sad truth is that it’s the manufacturers that are really going to be stimulated. Unfortunately, not many of those companies are here in America.

So what will stimulate the economy? I’m betting on the weak dollar to help out here. Something that America still shines at is good old tourism. We may not manufacture a whole lot of things here, but this is still an amazing country to get out and see, and with the exchange rate where it is, it must be a steal for our foreign friends to come over here. I wouldn’t be surprised if many overseas travelers, and even Canadians, may vacation here for longer periods of time, giving them a chance to see more of the country than just Las Vegas, New York, Hollywood, and Disney World.

What I truly think we need to do though, is to really start thinking out of the box here. Our country’s history is a story of invention, innovation, and revolution, and I don’t believe at all that that spirit is gone. I must admit that I get a bit excited at the prospects of true change that times like this can bring. I can already get a whiff of that in the political air, and I’m certain it’s only a matter of time before that happens in the economy as well. However, I think it’s going to take a bit more creativity than a feel good check that appears to me to be designed to appease the masses.

Being a true American, I hardly think I’ll be able to apply my better judgment over my insatiable need for pretty shiny trinkets, and not buy the HDTV. I suppose in the end the only real question will be shall I go with Westinghouse (o.k., I know it’s Taiwanese parts, but it is an American company), or Sony?