They're looking for a quick fix and counting on the stupidity of the american public. Oh look, some free money showed up, let's go buy something. Sudden cash injection into the economy by the stupid consumer.
What people SHOULD do is take that "free" money and pay off credit card debt. But the gov is counting on the stupidity of those who will just go buy stuff.
The problem is, so it helps one quarter. The gov is hoping that they help out a weak quarter, and the economy picks up on its own by the next quarter, which it won't.
Because all the stupid americans who spent their "free" money will now be right back in the same spot, just three months later, with credit card debt and no home equity to refi off of to buy stuff.
buzz