I generally don't turn down free money. But if the government really didn't need my $800, then it shouldn't have taken it in the first place. I'd also feel better about a rebate check if President Bush demonstrated some intestinal fortitude and declined to fund a bunch of congressional earmarks.

A couple of related, but random observations:

• It's funny how times change. Back at the end of 2000 when then-GOP hopefuls Bush and V.P.-nominee Dick Cheney were warning about the coming recession, there was no end to Democrats accusing the duo of scaremongering and insisting that everything was all right. They were wrong. Why is it different this time? I think it's due to the fact that no one from the Bush administration is running for the presidency and so they don't have a vested interest in denying these economic problems.
• Just for future reference, I want to link to this post by Professor Bainbridge which includes a Paul Krugman quote panning a stimulus package. Will he change his tune (or merely stay silent) now that Democrats are eager to participate in the "free" money giveaway?