Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg ridiculed the federal government’s rebate checks as being “like giving a drink to an alcoholic” on Thursday, and said that presidential candidates were looking for easy solutions to complex economic problems.

The mayor also said the nation “has a balance sheet that’s starting to look more and more like a third-world country.”

President George W. Bush signed legislation on Wednesday that will result in cash rebates ranging from $300 to $1,200 for more than 130 million people. The federal checks are the centerpiece of the government’s emergency effort to stimulate the economy.

Mr. Bloomberg has repeatedly said that he is not a candidate, and explained recently he is speaking out on national issues as part of an “experiment” to influence the dialogue in the race.