Should Congress issue a second round of the 2008 stimulus checks?

Set as news: False

I blogged about this when I first heard of its debate. I found it interesting that we're thinking about passing another round of stimlus checks, when we havent even been able to study the results of the first stimulus. (my post can be found @ www.curiousread.com)

I am all for free money, but at what cost?

The real question is if they do will it do anything more than the first check?

You have got to be kidding...lol

Set as news: True

I've definitely started seeing some debate on this...From Krugman's column:

To avoid that fate, Mr. Obama — if he is indeed the next president — will have to move quickly and forcefully to address America’s economic discontent. That means another stimulus plan, bigger, better, and more sustained than the one Congress passed earlier this year.

And from Andrew Samwick

Should we specify "2008 stimulus checks" since they're based on the year anyway? I know it may be implied, but for archival purposes, we should clarify it in the question...

Obama pledges second stimulus package

Front page, Google News today.

Many economists also acted like we weren't in danger of a recession... they give such great advice, don't they?

Meanwhile, most people didn't even spend their stimulus checks in ways that would help the economy the first time... and chances are those same people wouldn't do it a 2nd time around.

However, if this issue is being debated, then I guess it's fair game...

I told you it was going to be an issue...

Many economists have concluded that a second dose of government stimulus spending is required to prevent a broad economic unraveling and provide relief to millions of Americans grappling with joblessness, plunging home prices and tight credit.

Democratic leaders in Congress have already begun fashioning a package of proposed measures, but on Tuesday, President Bush and the Federal Reserve chairman, Ben S. Bernanke, both pronounced such action premature.

agree JZipp, disappointing to see he doesnt have better econ advisors...

as far as the issue itself, i think its pretty much the same debate as this one. without hindsight yet of how the first round turns out, I think people will mostly just stick with their original opinion of whether the plan will prevent a recession or not.

This might be the most ridiculous idea Obama has come up with... I'm so ready to take a stand on this one when / if we approve it.

Bloomberg:

June 26 (Bloomberg) -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said the U.S. will continue dealing with ``short- term pain'' from an economic slowdown and the country needs a second round of stimulus checks to spur consumer spending.

Set as news: True