As you've probably heard, the second round of Bush Administration tax rebates will start going out this week. If you have direct deposit, the $600 might already be in your bank account. We're not going to complain about the money, but just as when we received the first $300 rebate check in 2001, we can't shake the feeling that this is anything but a shortsighted attempt to jumpstart the economy. That, and it just feels weird to get a check for doing nothing.

In this case, the Bush stimulus package is costing the government $160 billion, which of course will add to the $9.3 trillion national debt, which of course means more borrowing from Japan and China. And, as Mike Huckabee liked to point out when he was still running for President, most Americans will use their rebate to buy products made in China. So at least we know we're stimulating someone's economy.

"The money is going to help Americans offset the high prices we're seeing at the gas pump, the grocery store, and also give our economy a boost to help us pull out of this economic slowdown," Bush said late last week. He's not kidding. The average American family with two cars will spend $462 more on gas this year, over a quarter of their rebate.

If you would prefer not to follow the Bush recommendation and spend your $600 on say, 144 gallons of diesel, we've compiled a short list of some more environmentally-friendly spending options proposed in recent weeks. Of course, you could always do the smart thing and save your money, but what fun is that?

• The Sierra Club and Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wa) launched the "Buy Green to Save Green" campaign last week, encouraging taxpayers to spend their rebate on energy efficient products and services. The campaign has also urged retailers to offer promotions and other incentives to encourage consumers to buy such products.
• One of those retailers is Home Depot, which said it will offer discounts through July on compact fluorescent light bulbs and Energy Star appliances. "It takes a short-term stimulus and turn it into a long-term investment," said spokeswoman Jean Niemi. It also beats giving your hard-earned free money to ExxonMobil and OPEC, says us.
• Noted environmental author and activist Bill McKibben recently launched 350.org, a campaign aimed at reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million. They're asking concerned citizens to donate -- surprise -- $350 of their rebate to the cause.