Well, getting $600 apiece has its charms. According to this report, a deal has been struck in Congress that will give each taxpayer $600, plus $300 per child. A family of four would thus get $1800. (Earlier versions would have given $800 to taxpayers, but this agreed-upon plan is a little less so as to give $300 to those who pay no taxes.) The checks will be cut between May and July. The cost will be some $150 billion, about the cost of an average year in Iraq. But it IS our money, after all, just given back. Yes, getting that check will be nice, but is it a good idea?