$1 trillion
does it make any sense to spend a trillion dollars on stimulus? maybe. i can imagine a few hypothetical scenarios. 1) you can employ people for $1t instead of paying them $1t in welfare. course why would people do work and pay taxes on $1t when they could stay at home and drink beer all day and get $1t in handouts? 2) it gets you elected and re-elected. 3) we spend it on infrastructure for the common good. now everyone can work more efficiently. buy and sell more stuff. and pay more taxes. 'course that scenario also assumes people would rather be employed than unemployed. i really want high speed rail, electric cars, internet 2, and moon tourists. but man, it's just not going to happen as long as we keep paying people to be idle.