STIMULATE THIS
Looking for ways to spend your $600 tax rebate? Here are a few
BY GEORGE HARRIS

George Harris is publisher of Liberty Watch: The Magazine. He is also a political activist and successful Southern Nevadan businessman. Reach Harris at [email protected]  Other stories by George Harris

George W. Bush has made some boneheaded decisions during his eight years as President of the United States: No Child Left Behind, the Transportation Security Administration, the Iraq War � just to name a few. Now he and his spend-happy administration have recently unveiled another dumb plan: an economic stimulus package in the form of a middle-class tax rebate to individuals who make less than $75,000 annually, and to couples who make less than $150,000. A low-income family of four with $35,000 in income and no tax liability, meanwhile, will get $1,200. Let�s forget for a moment the fact that, thanks to inflation and surging gas prices, a person with an annual income of 75 grand now falls squarely in the �middle class� category. Instead, let�s just briefly point out that, if anyone should be economically stimulated, it�s the people busting their asses to make more than 75 grand.

Of course, I support any effort to return money into working people�s pockets. To be fair, rebates should be given to any and all taxpayers, not just those who fall below a certain level of income. But since our national debt continues to spike thanks to the trillion-dollar debacle otherwise known as Afghanistan and Iraq (and soon to include Iran and Pakistan), it�s not like the federal government can actually afford to cut us all checks. Only those �working� Americans will get their money back, not those of us who lay about counting our money. Still, I find myself applauding each and every occasion when government gives back money that was never theirs.

What will all these �middle-income� folks do with a tax rebate? If they had sense, they would do one of three things: Pay off credit cards. Buy gold. Stash it into a college savings plan for the kids. But since Americans are, at least these days, better known for senseless consumption habits and debt-laden existences, you can bet that money will instead generically stimulate Best Buy in the form of X-Box and flat-screen plasma TV purchases. 

I�m here to tell you there are better ways to stimulate the local economy. So in the spirit of good fun and more liberty, let me suggest a few eye-opening ideas for throwing money down a hole:

If you suffer from fear of heights, get down in the dust. Sand Buggy Fun Rentals has a couple of local packages: There�s a Nellis Dune adventure in a four-seat buggy for $499, or a Valley of Fire excursion in a four-seat buggy for $599. Leave your friends behind, and it�s even cheaper.

Enjoy your Second Amendment rights with a trip to a Las Vegas gun range. A popular spot seems to be a range where customers can shoot a real live machine gun: The Gun Store at 2900 E. Tropicana Ave. The range�s hours are from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., seven days a week. Go to www.thegunstorelasvegas.com for more info.

Before the liberals take away your right to eat a steak, may we recommend the new La Madonna restaurant [6115 South Ft. Apache in Las Vegas], which, despite the best efforts of the Clark County Business License Department, now has its liquor license? The county bumped the licensing of La Madonna and who knows how many other small businesses in a rush to grant New Year�s Eve licensing to the 40/40 Club inside the Palazzo Resort Hotel. Gee, I wonder if anyone at the county took bribes to speed up the process for 40/40 and leave everyone else behind?

Oh, and don�t forget about a Liberty Watch subscription for family and friends! It�s just $42 for 12 months. Send check, money order or well-concealed cash to: Liberty Watch: The Magazine, 3675 Teco Ave., Suite 10, Las Vegas, NV 89118. Or contact our editor at [email protected].

You know, all this talk of blowing $600 has got me in the mood. Where�s the nearest Best Buy again?