By Adam Allington, KWMU
Maryland Heights, MO – President Bush says the slow growth of the economy is "not good enough for America," but new rebate checks will promote more spending.
The president's remarks were made to employees World Wide Technology, Incorporated, a minority-owned company in Maryland Heights.
With stimulus checks starting to hit bank accounts this week President Bush said an economic rebound is on the horizon.
Bush said the full effects of the stimulus won't kick in immediately, but America can 'spend' its way out of the current economic slowdown.
"We wanted to make sure that people that were encouraged to be consumers. We wanted there to be consumption in our society and no better way to stimulate consumption than to let you have some of your own money back."
Bush says with more cash on hand Americans will also be able to better cope with higher energy costs and rising food prices.
A coalition of labor unions staged a protest, claiming the stimulus will accomplish little in the face of billions of dollars wasted on a the war in Iraq.