The “Economic Stimulus Package” has come to pass. The legislation is now on its way to an eager President George W. Bush, who has already wet his pen with anticipation of signing off on the bill.

Now, I don’t want to rant here, but I’m going to because this is an opinion piece; so deal with it.

First of all, this kind of freebie, welfare legislation has never contributed to the betterment of the nation or its people. When someone receives something for nothing, the gift is always squandered and the only gratitude received is scorn for the wealth of the benefactor. People don’t seem to realize that this is money the government took from them in the form of income tax.

I’m also a little suspicious when such an item runs through Congress faster than a taco riding on the wave of “Montezuma’s Revenge.” Why should every tax payer receive 600 bucks back? Why was it taken in the first place if they didn’t need it? These are the questions everyone should be asking.

Now, in his own words, the President said the bill was ‘robust, timely, and will be effective’ and that may be so, but will people actually go spend the money like they want us to? Of course you will, won’t you reader? After all, that’s what the Mandarins in D.C. want you to do.

Now before you think I’m giving a willy-nilly commendation, think again. There are all kinds of problems with this particular bill, but the primary one is where the money will be spent. I’m not saying for everyone to hang on to it, but I merely wish to forward a request to you, my friends.

By all means, go and spend the money, but choose wisely. If you would take that $600 and invest it in a mutual fund (not that hard to do, look in the yellow pages for stock brokers), buy yourself some gold or silver bullion (coins and bars, not jewelry), or invest it in the capital of a local business or organization, then that money will truly go toward its intended purpose of stimulating the sluggish economic state of the nation.

However, if you go out and pick up some cool new gear at one of your favorite big box chain stores, all that you’re going to accomplish is assuming the role of delivery boy in a de-facto ‘gift’ to the good people of China. The choice is yours! To invest in America, invest in your neighbors. It’s that simple. Cheers, Enjoy!