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Wednesday, January 28, 2009
David Harsanyi :: Townhall.com Columnist
The Biggest Con -- Ever
by David Harsanyi
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What was the biggest suprise of Election Day?



Democrats have concocted a surefire political victory. They've notified America that the so-called "stimulus" bill might take a long time to work -- which is exceptionally handy, considering we always come out of a recession at some point.

The problem is there is no evidence that colossal government spending and expansion will help a nation claw its way out of economic trouble or, more importantly, generate a single job through real economic growth.

So what do you do with an unproven idea? Well, you go big. Make the proposal the most expensive ever to adorn paper -- or, more precisely, a trillion scraps of paper. Scare the holy living hell out of detractors with doomsday scenarios worthy of Nostradamus.

And for God's sake, unite! Those pikers in Congress can do a lot better than $825 billion. Surely, there are more states to bribe, more special interests to reward, more unions to pacify.

And Republicans? Just throw in a tax cut. They're easier than Holly Golightly.

Remember when Democrats complained that Bush tax cuts coupled with out-of-control spending would saddle our children with crushing debt? They were right; it's just impolite. Barack Obama will leave it for our great-grandchildren, too. We never are going to have to look those suckers in the eye anyway.

But please, let's stop calling this a "stimulus" plan. How does another $650 million for digital TV coupons (why don't we just buy a million new high-definition televisions and hand them out?) spur economic growth? What does $600 million for government vehicles do other than allow bureaucrats to do nothing more efficiently?

Hey, are you under investigation for widespread voter fraud? No problem. Like ACORN, you might be in for billions in "stimulus" aid, too. And a proud nation needs more than just $200 million to repair the National Mall; it needs an additional $21 million in sod.

Speaking of stimulus, Nancy Pelosi's contribution to this plan (though it may not survive) was to potentially spend hundreds of millions on condoms. There was another $335 million that could fund programs to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

I, too, support luxurious lawns and the widespread use of prophylactics. I, too, fervently oppose sexually transmitted diseases. But how any of this fuels economic recovery is a mystery. Continued...

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About The Author
David S
"This is because with all these bailouts and all that psychopathic spending in there (birth control?!?), this thieving, lying, damnable Congress, gang-led by that contemptible, bicep-flexing Shrieker of the House, has mortgaged the souls of our descendants down to about the 10th generation."

It is people like you - sane, contemplative,
level headed - who make America great. Thanks
for your input. Mind if I chew on it for
a while. You have given me a lot to think
about.

I Knew Obama would fail.
It will not be long before he has actually be
in office for a month, and the economy is still
a mess.

You are right. I concede. The whole thing
was a big mistake. Bring back Reagan, bring
back Bush. No wait, bring back Cheney. He's
my favorite.
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