About this time last year, when Congress and the President decided sending every man, woman, and child who made less than $140,000 in 2007 (I think that was the phase-out; it wasn’t talked about much but it affected many dual-income families in high cost of living metros) a check for a few hundred would avert the Next Great Depression, it was roundly mocked that about the only thing one could buy in which the money would stay in the country and thus help the economy was beer and hookers. Such has been the dismantling of our manufacturing base, at least of those things manufactured which consumers would buy. Planes, trains, tractors, and machine tools are still made locally.

Well, it seems we are in even greater need of economic stimulus this year. Congress and the President (albeit a different one) have upped the ante by about a factor of 5. And, to be sure it gets spent, they have decided they are going to spend it all themselves. OK, almost all of it. They have decided to share the wealth such that starting April 1 payroll taxes will be cut by $13 a week for most workers.

$13 a week, ain’t as nice as a roll of Benjamin’s, but it ain’t nothin’ neither. If you live long enough, specifically through the end of this year, it’s supposed to add up to $400. (Don’t ask me how they get $400 from $13/wk. All I can say is Congress did the math.)

Now far be it from me to argue with any man (or woman) that wants to spend their stimulus money on beer and hookers. For everyone else, let me suggest taking a vacation. But not just any vacation. The vacation must also stimulate the US economy. That means the vacation should probably best be stateside. With only $400 to spend it also needs to be relatively simple. Hey, there’s nothing simpler than a road trip, but we don’t want all this newfound wealth going to the OPECs. So, we’re looking at something akin to a stateside road trip that doesn’t burn a lot of gasoline. Hmmm, how about a self-supported bike tour? It keeps the money local. It is relatively simple and inexpensive. And, well, it is conducive to beer consumption after all.

Bike tours as economic stimulus, not a bad idea if I may say so for myself. If you’d like some totally biased suggestions for excellent places to bike tour, drop me a line. I’d be glad to help.

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