I've received some interesting responses to my story.
Here's one of the comments someone wrote:
--- "The idea of the rebate is a stimulus package to get the economy rolling. More purchases, more manufacturing (China???), more employment, etc.
"Your mother is wrong in this case. We are supposed to go out and blow this money in order to stimulate the economy.
"Probably be enough to fill your gas tank for a WHOLE MONTH, maybe!"
