I sought out some opinions at the Eden Prairie Library on Monday: Here's what a few people thought about the merits of giving rebate checks.

“It has some value. Number one, psychologically, it will have an impact. It will make the statement that the government is aware of the situation.”
…“It’s not a total answer, it’s a step. And [I think] that we need a whole change in philosophy and attitude.”
-- Seymour Druskin, Hopkins resident

“I don’t necessarily think it’s a good idea for the economy. Personally, I would just use it to pay off existing debt. I wouldn’t go out and buy anything.”
--Cheri Frisvold, Eden Prairie resident

“This happened, what 6, 7 years ago, it happened then. I don’t remember any specific spurring of the economy based off of that other, albeit smaller, chunk of change that came out. [A] lot of people view this like they view their tax returns: They go out and spend it but it’s usually not on something that helps sustain the economy in the long run. It’s more for retailers, but only as a short-term fix. I don’t see this as being a very long term solution whatsoever.”
-Andrew Rose, St. Louis Park Resident

“I don’t think it’s going to do anything for the economy. I think it would be better spent else ware. Having said that, however, if I get a check. I will mostly put it into savings because I think that in the long term would be much better for the economy, if people had savings to fall back on rather than going further into debt, the way the government keeps going further into debt.”

--Andresa Strahm, Minneapolis resident