# I Pit the Tax "Rebate" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 27, 2008, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146 "2008-01-27T01:35:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/121 "2008-01-28T21:18:04Z")
[QUOTE=Maeglin] It’s pretty much a self-indulgent flame fest. But the question does have a serious answer. One invests to hedge risk, to create future income stream, to protect one’s cash position, and for myriad other reasons that are not, strictly speaking, “maximizing return”. Lumping all of these under the umbrella of maximizing return creates a useless tautology. [/QUOTE] Thanks for your response, but as **D\_Odds** mentions, I would lump these all together under “maximizing return”, all other factors included. I agree that immediate ROI is not the only possible strategy, but I would classify avoiding taxation, etc., as pretty much the same thing as maximizing return. Maybe just a semantic difference. We return you now to your regularly scheduled flame fest. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/122 "2008-01-28T21:46:34Z")
[QUOTE=Shodan] Thanks for your response, but as **D\_Odds** mentions, I would lump these all together under “maximizing return”, all other factors included. I agree that immediate ROI is not the only possible strategy, but I would classify avoiding taxation, etc., as pretty much the same thing as maximizing return. Maybe just a semantic difference. We return you now to your regularly scheduled flame fest. Regards, Shodan [/QUOTE] I agree with both you and **D\_Odds** also. I’d argue that you can have myriad investment strategies whereby you maximize something, but it isn’t always ROI. But yeah, the difference is maybe a little more than semantic and a little less than important. I was just looking to get a little dig in before I went off to a meeting, is all. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/123 "2008-01-28T22:17:03Z")
[QUOTE=Carol Stream] If you had any ethics at all, you wouldn’t be reaching into my pocketbook to begin with. [/QUOTE] As I tried to point out earlier, a large chunk of this is likely coming from those who use my agency’s services. Remember how the Clinton administration balanced the budget? They raided my agency’s profits to do so. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/124 "2008-01-28T22:48:48Z")
Wow, two people agree with me in the same thread! This is a first. I better go record this on my Myspace page… if I actually had one ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/125 "2008-01-28T23:31:24Z")
I’m not a fan of this rebate – I don’t think lump sum payments are as effective as simply lowering taxes on the lowest tax brackets (and raising them on the highest to keep from deepening the deficit). I also think we’re going to be better off economically in the long run if we stop trying to avoid a recession at all costs and just take our medicine in the short term. That said, though, the simple fact that it gets someone as nasty and unpleasant as **Carol Stream** so upset is an automatic upside. I think I’ll write my senator and ask them to pass a rider wherein the government seizes all of her assets and uses them to buy free food for homeless people, served under a banner of a smiling Jesus holding hands with minorities. That would be cool. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/126 "2008-01-28T23:47:59Z")
Bless her heart, she means well. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/127 "2008-01-28T23:57:52Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] Bless her heart, she means well. [/QUOTE] Pretty angry for a chick. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Credible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a8b319/32.png) [@Justin\_Credible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Credible)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/128 "2008-01-29T00:36:10Z")
[QUOTE=Elendil’s Heir] When and if I get my check, I’ll be writing another check in the same amount and sending it to: Bureau of the Public Debt U.S. Department of the Treasury 799 Ninth St. NW Washington DC 20239 [/QUOTE] Good thinking…except you spelled my name wrong. Also, that’s not my address. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/129 "2008-01-29T00:53:21Z")
[QUOTE=Left Hand of Dorkness] Not believing Jesus is the immortal son of god does not exclude thinking Jesus had some chill thoughts. As for your first sentence, you’ll need to back that up. The precedent for this nonsense was set in 2001 under a Republican triple threat. Daniel [/QUOTE] Just pointing out that you have capitalized the name of Jesus, your own name, and even the word “Republican”. For a reasonable consistency, you might consider capitalizing “God” when you use is as a proper name. Suppose, for example, you were talking about Rock Hudson, would you write “the immortal son of rock”? As for the OP, it isn’t a rebate, but not for the reason you’re stating. It isn’t a rebate because it isn’t the money you paid. It’s newly printed money, backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government. Spend it while it will still buy a loaf of bread. ---
**Author:** ![cerberus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/130 "2008-01-29T02:32:46Z")
It’s a stupid idea aimed at the economically-illiterate masses. It was stupid the last time 'round, and it is stupid this time around. How is it useful to give people some portion of their 2007 income tax refunds early? What happens when they bump into FY 2008, file their returns for 2007, and find diminished returns (due to the “prebate”). Is there a way to officially tell the feds to fuck their check? So that it does not count as being paid? I suppose that if it is left un-cashed that it won’t count? ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/131 "2008-01-29T02:55:20Z")
[QUOTE=Giraffe] That said, though, the simple fact that it gets someone as nasty and unpleasant as **Carol Stream** so upset is an automatic upside. I think I’ll write my senator and ask them to pass a rider wherein the government seizes all of her assets and uses them to buy free food for homeless people, served under a banner of a smiling Jesus holding hands with minorities. That would be cool. [/QUOTE] I would like to subscribe to your newsletter. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/132 "2008-01-29T04:02:06Z")
[QUOTE=Maeglin] It’s pretty much a self-indulgent flame fest. But the question does have a serious answer. One invests to hedge risk, to create future income stream, to protect one’s cash position, and for myriad other reasons that are not, strictly speaking, “maximizing return”. Lumping all of these under the umbrella of maximizing return creates a useless tautology. [/QUOTE] Yes, people do invest for those reasons as well. But saying that “maximizing return must share priority with other societal needs” as claimed by **Fear Itself** is not true factually, nor an opinion I would agree with. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/133 "2008-01-29T04:22:57Z")
> [@](#): > > That’s the definition of “charity”, not “investing”. Sure, if you define “investing” only as an activity with a personal economic return. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/134 "2008-01-29T04:29:27Z")
[QUOTE=Giraffe] I think I’ll write my senator and ask them to pass a rider wherein the government seizes all of her assets and uses them to buy free food for homeless people, served under a banner of a smiling Jesus holding hands with minorities. That would be cool. [/QUOTE] Oh, don’t worry on that account. The Senate is already talking about adding more people to the so-called “rebate”, such as seniors on SocSec. What I don’t understand is the whole concept of people expecting money for nothing. What’s next, tax “rebates” for illegal immigrants? Why not give tax “rebates” to the citizens of France, at that point? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/135 "2008-01-29T04:56:04Z")
Look, I think the OP has stumbled on to one very narrow and legitimate point. For those who don’t pay income taxes, it is a little misleading to call the check a “rebate.” But fudging the meaning of some word is hardly the worst error in the world. I’m sure **Carol Stream** is often referred to as a “lady,” when what is really meant is “zealously dumb cunt.” ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/136 "2008-01-29T05:02:13Z")
[QUOTE=Carol Stream] Yes, people do invest for those reasons as well. But saying that “maximizing return must share priority with other societal needs” as claimed by **Fear Itself** is **not true factually, nor an opinion I would agree with.** [/QUOTE] Ya don’t say. By the way, how exactly can this both your opinion and a fact at the same time? In other words, **Ravenman’s** analysis for the win. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/137 "2008-01-29T05:34:56Z")
[QUOTE=Carol Stream] What’s next, tax “rebates” for illegal immigrants? [/QUOTE] [shrug] If you earn money within U.S. borders, the IRS don’t much care to see your green card. ---
**Author:** ![Millit\_the\_Frail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Millit\_the\_Frail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Millit_the_Frail)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/138 "2008-01-29T05:50:04Z")
[QUOTE=Carol Stream] Oh, don’t worry on that account. The Senate is already talking about adding more people to the so-called “rebate”, such as seniors on SocSec. [/QUOTE] Oh, God, no! Not the old people!! Keep **Carol’s** money out of their filthy, greedy, wrinkly hands!!! I would also like to subscribe to the **Giraffe** newsletter. Thanks for pointing out the silver lining on this dull gray cloud of retardosity. I think I’ll write my senator/future President Obama\* and ask him to vote Yes on that rider. \*Gratuitous wishful thinking, I know. Can’t resist, in such a stupid thread. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/139 "2008-01-29T05:59:36Z")
[QUOTE=Maeglin] Ya don’t say. By the way, how exactly can this both your opinion and a fact at the same time? [/QUOTE] Another reading impaired poster. It’s neither my opinion, nor a fact. I want to know where people get off stating that "“maximizing return MUST share priority with other societal needs”. That’s bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146/140 "2008-01-29T06:06:35Z")
[QUOTE=Millit the Frail] Oh, God, no! Not the old people!! Keep **Carol’s** money out of their filthy, greedy, wrinkly hands!!! [/QUOTE] No, keep the money out of the hands of those that would redistribute it according to their leftist political agenda. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-tax-rebate/435146.md?page=8)