I'm Mike Fitzsimmons with commentary on 920 - KXLY....

Some Americans have already received rebate checks from Uncle Sam, but it's pretty clear the $150 billion economic stimulus package isn't likely to have much of an effect on the sluggish economy. President Bush says the slow growth of the economy is "not good enough for America," but rebate checks won't do much to jump start the economy. The President is confident that rebate checks of up to $600 for individuals and $1,200 are going to bring back vibrant economic activity, but polls indicate that most folks aren't thinking about going out and buying new products. Most say they'll pay off existing obligations, rather than splurge on something new.

It's going to take more than a few hundred bucks in American bank accounts to inject life in the sagging economy. The Bush administration also intends to include tax breaks for businesses as an incentive to invest, but Congress isn't exactly chomping at the bit to pass that proposal. It's an election year, and nobody's going to go out on a limb to save the economy until it becomes clear who will be in charge next January. Overall, the economy grew at a paltry 0.6 percent in the first quarter of the year. That measly growth technically means that the country is not in a recession, but what does it matter what the slump is called? It has lots of people nervous, and consumer confidence isn't positive even tough folks have a few windfall dollars to spend.

A look at the pledges and plans of the two Democrats who would be president, indicates that either one of them would do nothing to help the economy along. If anything, what they promise will push the country deeper into trouble. John McCain is right to extend the Bush tax cuts. The record is clear that tax cuts have kept the economy healthy for the last half-dozen years, despite a brutal terrorist attack, and a disastrous hurricane in the Gulf. Many in the parts and sub-assembly manufacturing sector say their customers are showing no sign of cutting back, suggesting the slow economy will not last long. A wrong move now could ruin that positive outlook. What is needed is restraint, not bold new ideas. I think the American people will understand that when the vote in November.

With commentary on 920 - KXLY, I'm Mike Fitzsimmons