Some say it’s just politics. Others offer that it’s actually going to help the economy. Whatever side of the fence you’re on, the government likely is sending you some money within the next few months.

About 130 million Americans who filed a tax return this year will receive rebates, ranging from $300 to $1,800 depending on income and number of children, through the economic-stimulus package.

Checks began showing up this week.

“The fact of the matter is the economy needs that stimulus right now, in my opinion,” said Dr. Jason White, assistant professor of accounting, economics and finance at Northwest Missouri State University. “My argument would be that any recession we have will be shorter lived and not as deep as it otherwise would have been.”

Dr. White, who also works in the Family Investment Center, said many of the calls he’s received from people considering how to spend their checks are inquiring about starting an individual retirement account, something he applauds as financially responsible.

“It becomes habit-forming,” he said of the ease of contributing to an IRA. “And unlike a lot of habits, it’s a good habit to get into.”

Commercials and advertisements beckon you to spend your check on everything from vacations to Sears gift cards. Local travel agent Bob Cotter said his business has been very active lately. He couldn’t pin it on the stimulus package — but the bait is out there.

“‘From rebate to travel date,’” Mr. Cotter said, reading from a Funjet Vacations travel brochure. He said the promotion, which just came out, probably will be effective on travelers looking for bargain deals.

But not everyone is packing luggage or making wish lists of new gadgets to purchase.

“There are no plans for nothing right now,” said St. Joseph resident Efron Martinez. His wife is recovering from surgery, so there are no plans to go island hopping anytime soon. “(We’ll) hold on to it for a while.”

“Just pay bills,” offered Rita Rivers from King City, Mo. “I think it should help. I don’t think it’s going to hurt anything.”

St. Joseph resident Shawn Harper is suspicious. He wants to know where the money is coming from.

“For the last six months, the government refused to admit we were in a recession,” he said. “So now they decide we are, so they’re going to give money away to help?”

But he won’t be giving it back. He’s socking it away “in case I need it later,” he said.

Dr. Patrick McMurry, Missouri Western State University’s department of economics chairman, said he doesn’t expect the stimulus package to help much in the long run.

“It’s politics,” he said, adding that President Bush’s tax cuts amount to more savings than the stimulus package can offer. “It’s pure and simple. When there is a problem in the economy, politicians think they must do something.”

Dr. McMurry said from the polls he’s seen, not many Americans are going out to make down payments on new cars. He and his wife, for example, are using their stimulus checks to pay off credit cards.

“We didn’t want to just go out and buy something, which is what Congress would like us to do,” he said. “Go out and buy a durable good — that’s what they want.”

Jimmy Myers can be reached at jimmymyers@npgco.com.