Stimulus Package, where is the catch?

Because the last two digits of my SSN ends between 00 and 20, I got my economic stimulus payment today. I was very much under the impression this was a bogus deal. I was pretty sure the money was basically a forward of our 2008 tax return. After perusing the irs.gov site I found this in the stimulus package faq.

Q. Will the payment I receive in 2008 reduce my 2008 refund or increase the amount I owe for 2008?
A. No, the stimulus payment will not reduce your refund or increase the amount you owe when you file your 2008 return.

As far as I can tell, I was wrong. It really is free money from the government. Perhaps not free, I did learn (from Yahoo Answers no less) the stimulus package is basically a loan taken out by the government and passed down to us lowly individuals.

On the other hand don't the expert say we're in this financial mess partly because American's are in so much debt? Should not the government strive to the same financial goals as individuals. Surly they could set an example.

Mr. President, your stimulus payment insults me. Try managing the money I gave you in taxes for the last 13 years better before you concern yourself with my personal finances.