It's becoming clear exactly what the stimulus package is-
Like the PATRIOT Act, it’s a preexisting wishlist of initiatives being rammed through in an atmosphere of hysteria. Where the Obama administration has, to its credit, backed away from the language of war and crisis when it comes to international affairs and homeland security, the Obama team seems all too willing to revert to Bush-style fearmongering in the service of greater state involvement in the economy
The Republicans were actually smart for a change when they voted against it. As the details emerge this thing will be increasingly less popular, hence the need to rush it through congress. If the economy doesn't improve, it will be an electoral disaster for the Democrats.
Short of nuclear war, there is no Goddamn way these people are not going to occupy the White House for 8 years.
The difference between the Patriot act and Porkulous is that Patriot was done for fiddling small chump change, and, by comparison, affected nobody.
Like FDRs experiments in economics, this thing contains tax hikes, protectionism, and union-friendly bits. Like FDRs experiments, this will, if passed, cause or prolong the dive in the economy. Like FDR, I expect Oboe will appeal to the American people in 2012, not to change horses in perilous times, much like re-electing the president in time of war.
Republicans, true to their nature as the "stupid party" will nominate some colorless apparatchik with very limited appeal, who will blow the election. The depression will last 10 years, as the required tax cuts will be delayed by the congress for 2 years after the republican win in 2016 in a deja-vu of 1980.
God, I'm depressing.