"US to send out $100bn in rebates"

Just how stupid is George W Bush?

You only get positive dynamic or Laffer effects if you cut tax rates going forward, in particular sales taxes or payroll taxes. Merely sending people money just leads to inflation and/or if they are paid for by increasing government debt, this just increases the future tax burden in an equal and opposite manner to the original boost (Ricardian Equivalence*).

* The theory is disputed, but it makes sense to me.