DougR I agree with you that the Government should give us back some of our hard earned cash. I hope however, you are not suggesting that the government run on a zero-surplus status.

This would not be very wise fiscally and morally. There are such things as entitlements, which is what this entire Tax Rebate debate is about. The Bush Team gave a rebate in which they will have to borrow from other government sources at present just to make sure all of those checks clear.

Entitlements are important which is what the social security/medicare debate is all about. We don't want to merely blow this entitlement money now, when thousands of seniors and disabled people (past and present) will be depending of it for there sustainance. that is unfair!

The goverment needs a surplus to defend social security's near future. Many Americans are displeased with the rebate and I believe THIS is why. It doesn't protect the future needs of entitlements. Not that Americans wouldn't like to see a bit of their hard earned tax money returned to them.

If social security is to be overhauled, well then that is another issue entirely.

Dewey