Last night after attending a book reading by Salman Rushdie, we got back home to find a nice surprise in the mail: A stimulus check from the US Government for $1200. For those that have been living under a rock for the past six months, the stimulus check was approved by Congress earlier this year in response to the sub-prime mortgage debacle. It is being paid to U.S. taxpayers in 2008 to stimulate "purchasing", and thus improve the economy that is heading towards recession. Here is what Wikipedia says about it:
Most taxpayers below the income limit will receive a rebate of at least $300 per person ($600 for married couples filing jointly). Eligible taxpayers will receive, along with their individual payment, $300 per dependent child under the age of 17. The payment will be equal to the payer’s net income tax liability, but will not exceed $600 (for a single person) or $1200 (married couple filing jointly).
We have been waiting for this check for months and it is finally here. Part of me did not want to believe it. The idea of a government paying you that much money in exchange for nothing seemed, well, too good to be true. This was definitely a first for me and I loved it. So, what are we going to do with the money now? Spend it wisely!
Only in America, this would never happen in Jordan as we the citizens spend money on the Jordanian government!
In looking for another site, I happened onto yours. I believe fate has away of placing people together. After reading through a selection of the blogs you posted, I thought this was the most fitting. I received my check in May right at the perfect time to spend it in your country. This was my first visit to Jordan. I was there for a week before traveling into Palestine where I also stayed a week. I had an amazing time and I thought the country was just beautiful. The mountains took my breath away. Everywhere I went people always said welcome to Jordan. While I read some of your posted blogs and realize that there are problems in Jordan as with any country, I found the people kind, and was able to learn more about Middle Eastern culture. This is my second trip to the Middle East and I look forward to my next trip to Egypt and for the chance to visit Jordan again.
Also, don’t let those who send hateful words get you down, it just speaks to their inability to listen to their spirit within themselves, their lack of education, and knowledge about the world around them. It is sad that recently the most profound comment I read was from Kevin Sites book Twenty Countries, Twenty Conflicts One Year, where at the end of his journey and his book, he has a section titled “America, A Wealth of Information, A Poverty of Knowledge”. Sad in that it is true. It is for this very reason I hope to start my own blog about my travels, which I hope to one day put in a book. It is for this very reason I do what I do for a living.
Keep writing hopefully all the written pieces might one day make a quilt to heal the hatred and bigotry that lead to the injustice and intolerance. Sorry such a long response in which only part pertained the actual blog.
Peace be with you,
Rena
I had identity theft in 2005. I’m strill trying to clear it up. The IRS KEPT my stimulus check to pay back the money they gave to the identity thieves when they filed fraudulent taxes on m in 2005. They won’t go after the thieves, but will harass me to my dying day to get their money back, including taking any tax refunds I shall ever receive and keeping my stimulus check. Where is that “kinder, gentler IRS” ???? In our dreams!
I got my stimulus check very early, wasn’t too “stimulated” by it and of course didn’t spend it but out in all in the bank.
I’m one of those stupid people who don’t always listen to what the government tells them to do
People who got the money direct deposited got it back in May, but people who asked for a paper check had to wait until a mailing date later on based on what their SSN is. The schedule is on the IRS website…