Government Hand Outs… Good or Bad?

The recent announcement of the Rudd government’s plan to stimulate our economy has many of my friends bouncing off the walls with excitement and that’s fine. However I’m honestly very concerned where it will leave Australia (financially) in the future.

In summary the government’s plan to stimulate the economy is as follows:
Each person who earns less than $80,000 a year, pays tax and completed a tax return last year will receive $950 each to encourage spending.

While $950 would be extremely helpful, it will not help the economy.
To give out these hand outs the ALP is borrowing money…
These hand outs are going to shift us from a $20 billion surplus to a $200 billion deficit. Granted it’s a recession, but $200 BILLION in debt? That’s a lot of money! We’ll be trying to get out of that debt over the next few years screwing us even further.

Yes it is our money (as it’s taken from the taxes we’ve already paid) but taxes are already high enough. I don’t want to have to pay another $10-$20 a week (on top of what I’m already being taxed) in the future, which is exactly what will happen. Because the Liberal government sold so many Gov owned assets, it will fall back on us (the tax payer… every tax payer! Not just those who got the handouts, which personally I believe is very unfair) when it comes to getting out budget back into a surplus.

I personally don’t believe there’s a great deal we can do to fix our countries financial problems, well I don’t believe there’s a quick fix at least. It will just take some good ol’ time and patience.

To those saying the money would be better spent on funding for schools, hospitals, railways etc…
It won’t “stimulate” our economy. I agree 100% that money should be put into fixing our country’s infrastructure but it will not fix the current financial crisis at all.

Even though I’m the minority I really believe that these hand outs will hurt every Australian in the future. I won’t be turning up my nose at the money if this plan is passed by the government as money is always useful but I will be genuinely concerned about our financial future.

End rant.