Are the 'tax rebates' a big scam?

seems like it. they know that we are going to spend it on GAS, FOOD and other staples. and since all those big companies are owned by 3 or 4 people/families, it would stand to reason they wanted this rebate to get the last few drops of prosperity from us before they leave the USA and the whole thing collapses. it would seem congress was as good as an investiment as bush was.