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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWill Trump's name on stimulus checks help win him votes in November?
This April, instead of submitting tax returns to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as usual, many Americans were waiting for the IRS to send them cash payments as part of a coronavirus relief package. On April 14, The Washington Post broke the news that the U.S. Treasury Department had made an unprecedented decision that stimulus checks sent via postal mail would carry the words President Donald J. Trump printed on the memo line the first time in U.S. history a presidents name appeared on an IRS check.
House and Senate Democrats objected; some reporting suggested adding the presidents name might delay the checks.
Trumps tactic of literally putting his name on a government benefit was familiar to many observers of lower- and middle-income democracies. Social scientists have studied the many ways in which politicians in these countries routinely try to personalize government programs, funds, and benefits.
Politicians around the world regularly try to put their names on government benefits
In the U.S., we are used to seeing mayors and governors names on welcome signs on highways and at airports, and on commemorative plaques in places like parks. Elsewhere, some politicians place their names directly on government benefits that run from the small to the substantial.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/will-trump-s-name-on-stimulus-checks-help-win-him-votes-in-november/ar-BB13mD2P?ocid=msn360
Turbineguy
(37,329 posts)an early rebate of the extra $18,000 you owe and vote for me!"
SoCalNative
(4,613 posts)My housemate got a check and his name was nowhere to be found on it.
Alacritous Crier
(3,816 posts)A total waste of government resources.
SoCalNative
(4,613 posts)and that is also sent to those who received direct deposit.
Hey, at least it's giving the Post Office work.
Alacritous Crier
(3,816 posts)but we haven't received any letter yet. It'll be circular filed when it arrives.
SoCalNative
(4,613 posts)and went right into the shredder.
Calculating
(2,955 posts).
rockfordfile
(8,703 posts)SharonClark
(10,014 posts)The letter makes him look like the ass he is.
spanone
(135,831 posts)Chainfire
(17,538 posts)except those who already fell for the biggest stunt; electing the signer.