Obama wants the average American family to have a thousand dollar rebate from oil company profits.
How much value does a thousand dollars have in today's market.
On the practical side, it would almost pay a month's mortgage or even bring down the balance some of a maxed-out credit card, a car payment or even a loan.
Certainly, the same amount would buy enough school supplies, shoes, clothes and groceries for a few months or it might almost pay for a weekend get-a-away for a family of four.
In other words, it won't help alleviate debt for the long term.
Like a six hundred dollar tax rebate, it would have to be given on a monthly basis to do already cash-strapped individuals any good at all.
On the creative consumer side, it would buy an Apple Ipod, a new Dell computer, a Gucci handbag, a pair of Jimmy Choo's, or Manolo's.
For the men, it'd pay for a couple of made- to-measure shirts from Turnbull and Asser, or some hand-tooled leather cowboy boots, a carton of hand-rolled cigars and a case of twelve year old OldFitzgerald Prime Whiskey with enough left over for a mixed box of Allen Brothers prime aged steaks.
What kind of savings plan would a thousand dollar rebate buy in today's market, a high yield CD with a thousand dollar deposit and a three point four nine percent interest and left in for a year might add up to a small nest egg at the end of that time.
Like the tax rebate, it will be a one time offer much like handing the struggling taxpayers a bent shovel in order to dig their way out of debt.