The tax rebate is a way to complement the fed's low interest rate policy in a way with voter approval.

No one's going to argue about getting their tax money back, even if the effect of that money is to drive up prices in everything.

Of course, that means you are placing $600/yr into your account on top of what the gov't gives you.

That makes even less sense. If you put $600/year of your own money into your account for every year after this rebate, in 5 years you would have put in $3,000, how you get $1854.60 from a 3% interest rate on that is beyond me.

Of course, that means you are placing $600/yr into your account on top of what the gov't gives you.

Ah, so it's not: "All from a government refund.".

$600 x 3% x 5yrs = $1854.60 (using future value of annuity)

$600 x 3% x 10yrs = $5,335.20 (using future value of annuity)

Perhaps we should fix our school system instead of our economy.

If you take the $600 and put it into an account here 's how well you can do with just that.

$600 x 3% x 5yrs = $1854.60 (using future value of annuity)

$600 x 3% x 10yrs = $5,335.20 (using future value of annuity)

That's if you don't touch it and earn a solid 3% each year.

25 yrs = $21,875.40

and the big ol' 50: $67,680

All from a government refund.

At best, this will allow some folks to stave off the wolves at the door for another billing cycle or two, and then things will be exactly the same as they are now.