Originally Posted by
kaliuzhkin
Originally Posted by
mizgeorge
Because we don't have anything like it in the UK, I don't entirely understand the stimulus check thing, but given that I imagine it's designed to stimulate your domestic economy, why not buy a US-made pen. Better still, buy a pen from people who actually make them themselves.
I'd be looking at Franklin Christoph, Edison, Carolina Pen Company, Newton, and so many more. None of them mass produced in overseas factories and great quality control.
Or take a look at some of the great US made vintage pens, and support a 'local' restorer and trader, rather than just another importer/reseller.
But I may have the whole concept all wrong!!
Very good suggestions. Thank for your original thoughts.
Mizgeorge: As I study information about the pens in which I might be interested, I think about your post. I'm a lawyer and know that your post brings up the topic of Statutory Interpretation. There are many guidelines for concluding what a statute means and one of them is consideration of the statute's title. I don't know the statute's exact title, but money I expect to receive is called an "Economic Impact Payment" and in the vernacular, a "Stimulus Check." Further investigation would require looking at the words used in the statute. This statute is over 600 pages long and I don't intend to actually look at it. When Congress passes a law, it attaches a short memo describing the law's purpose. The President, on signing the law, attaches a similar memo. Those memos, while not binding, might help us understand the law.
Then there's Ethics. According to Utilitarianism, the most ethical choice is that which provides the greatest good to the greatest number of people. For example, buying a pen is better than just holding onto the money. I'm not sure whether buying a U.S. pen from a U.S. seller is more ethical than buying a foreign pen from a foreign seller.
Also, I remember, from Economics 201 and 202, taken 50 years ago, that money the federal government spends stimulates the economy. The money should go to a U.S. recipient who pays another U.S. recipient, etc. I don't know how this would work out in a global economy.
I'll consider these issues in deciding which pen to buy and from whom.
Thanks for raising these issues.
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