gotbeer:
My contention it would not matter to Amex if I give the money to a yeshiva or a liquor store.
I think your response is that Amex wants to stimulate the economy and that will only happen if I give the money to a liquor store.
You are incorrect for multiple reasons:
1. If I give it to a yeshiva, and they spend the money (as they will), it will stimulate the economy just as well. (and yes, they also patronize many small businesses, and money is fungible).
2. Amex does not care to stimulate the economy. They intend to incentivize stores to accept their card and for people to use their card, and to have good PR.
3. This promotion is not even almost large enough to have any effect on the economy. The stimulus bill was like 1 billion times bigger than this, and may not even have had any effect.