Published: April 07, 2008 10:06 pm            

Publisher's Desk: April 2, 2008

I got my notice from the U.S. Government a few Saturdays ago letting me know that Congress passed and President George W. Bush signed into law the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008. On the outside of the mailing, it stated in bold red letters: ENCLOSED IS AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE IRS ON THE ECONOMIC STIMULUS ACT OF 2008. DO NOT THROW AWAY!

For a moment, I let the notion that it might be a check filter through my head. I could pay a truck payment and then use the rest to put gasoline in it. I'm sure Toni Tundra would be happy. Then I opened it and started to read: "Dear Taxpayer: We are pleased to inform you ..." The next few lines informed me that I might be entitled to a payment of up to $600 ($1,200 if filing jointly) plus additional amounts for qualifying children.

Then I stopped reading when my eyes came across this: "We are sending this notice to let you know that based on this new law the IRS will begin sending the one-time payments starting in May."

Really? That little tidbit of information has only been one of the hottest topics recently as this country chews on the fact that we might be slipping into a recession. The president believes this economic stimulus will give the economy a boost, kind of a shot in the arm for lack of better terminology.

I guess the government thinks we all live under a rock. But, if I read the notice correctly, even if I do live under a rock, as long as I have a valid Social Security number and filed a tax return, I might get one of those "one-time" payments.

Being in the newspaper business, it's hard for me to read anything - books, magazine, billboards, food labels, menus, TV commercials - without proofreading for spelling and content as I go. It's a hard habit to break when you have been doing it for nearly two decades.

That being said, a couple of things stood out: First, no one needed to tell me I didn't need to throw it away without opening it. There are some pieces of mail you can toss without opening. But mail from someone whose return address is Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, ain't one of them.

Secondly, the government will be making payments to more than 130 million American households. That's a lot of postage. Which brings to mind another thought: Since the IRS and the U.S. Postal Service both work for the same person - namely the U.S. Government - do you think they got a good deal on postage?

Anyway, under this new law, I might get $600. My household could get $1,200 if I were filing jointly. Duh. Excuse me, Mr. IRS, but that's kind of stating the obvious, isn't it? Two people x $600 = $1,200. Simple math. Ah, but this is the government. 'Nuff said.

The rest of the notice went into detail about how people who don't file a return can qualify, how much you get for kids, what those in the upper socioeconomic stratosphere can expect - probably nothing, which is pretty confusing to them I guess. At the very bottom it states this: All individuals receiving payments will receive a notice and additional information shortly before the payment is made. In the meantime, for additional information, please visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov.

Have you ever been to www.irs.gov? I have. Once. Yeesh. That was all it took for me to clear that puppy off my Favorites list.

So if I am figuring correctly, the government sent me a notice telling me I might be eligible for the payment plus they will send me a notice shortly before the payment is made. Then they will send me the payment. Three mailings ... 130 million-plus households ... $600. Not that I am looking a gift horse in the mouth or anything - because I do appreciate the money (or should I say will appreciate it since I don't know if I'm getting it or not) and I will put it to good use. But if the economy is stalling and we are headed for a recession, wouldn't it make sense to try and save a little money?

I'm no Clark Howard or anything, but in times when the money is lean, shouldn't you try to save money, not spend it like you had your own printing facility? Oh. Silly me. It's just another example of the government wasting taxpayers' money to put money in our pocket so we can go out and pay exorbitant prices for the food we put on the table, the clothes we wear on our backs and the fuel we use to get us to work so we can have an income that allows us to pay taxes so that we bring home less and less each pay period and spend more and more just getting by.

So, yes, I am looking forward to my $600 check, if I am one of the lucky ones. Ten years ago, it might have been something to look forward to. Now? I can spend that much in one week paying bills and putting gas in my truck. But I must say that this notice has given me a unique idea of how to handle paying my bills. I'll just sit down and type out a generic letter that says:



Dear Bill Collector:

I am pleased to inform you that I received your bill as I am sure thousands of others did as well. With this bill, you are entitled to your payment, including any late fees or penalties you might impose on me for being late with prior payments. If you are scheduled to receive payment from me, I will let you know. This is not to be confused with any other payment arrangement you and I have. In the meantime, for additional information, please visit my Web site at www.hardlygettingby.iou.

Yours very sincerely,

I.M. Sobroke



When a bill comes in, I'll print off this notice, address it to said biller, stamp it, mark it with a big red "OPEN AT ONCE - DO NOT THROW AWAY" and mail it out. The way I figure it, I'm stimulating the economy that way - the U.S. Postal Service makes a little money and I get to keep a little more of mine.



Patricia M. Edwards is the editor and publisher of The Randolph Guide. She can be reached by e-mail at pedwards@randolphguide.com.

        

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