Quote:
Originally Posted by NobodyHere
Well stimulus checks aren't really about need, they're about getting people to spend money.
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Yup.
There are two overlapping, but distinct, things that Congress can do.
(1) Limit the money to people who need it.
PROS:
a)Will cost less
b)Helps keep people from losing homes, etc.
CONS:
a)Will not have a stimulus effect because these people are going to spend it just to say above water. Any extra will likely be saved.
b)If it is tied to unemployment or other dire circumstance, it may incentiveize people to remain unemployed and/or in that dire circumstance
(2) Give out the money broadly.
PROS:
(a)Will goose the economy by getting people to spend the extra money.
(b)Will also help people who really need the money (instead of just people for whom it would be nice to have)
(c)Does not cause people to stay unemployed if it is not tied to unemployment.
(d) Easier to administer
CONS:
(a)Will cost more money
(b)If you are against a UBI, this is the first step toward it.