I'm ambivalent and skeptical about this latest stimulus bill.  On the one hand, the idea of more government spending is kind of repulsive, but on the other hand, if they're determined to throw money away, I can see where a mix of tax cuts and infrastructure projects is the best way to go right now.  At least it's better than buying "toxic mortgages."

But regardless of whether one thinks the stimulus bill is good or bad, I can't understand how anyone could possibly view Republican lawmakers' sudden conversion from big-spending bank bailout champions to fiscal conservatives as anything but laughable.  Do these people think we forgot that Republicans (including 7th District Representative Eric Cantor) cheerfully voted for several huge bailouts just a few months ago?  Now suddenly it's a bad idea?  They really think they have a shred of fiscal credibility?

So Republicans have been publicizing lists of what they call "pork barrel projects" in the stimulus bill.  I'll admit I don't have the lofty education of those high-fallutin' lawmakers on Capital Hill, but it seems a little strange to criticize a bill designed to create jobs for… wait for it… making projects for people to work on.  I guess Republicans would rather pay out the taxpayer’s money for people to stand around doing nothing.  (Come to think of it, that’s essentially what they did with the banking industry bailouts.)

So, um, yeah… not impressed.

Also, on a somewhat different topic, after seeing Obama's press conference on television tonight, I suggest that he avoid prime time in the future.  I give him points for providing thoughtful answers, but his rather verbose, rambling responses were about as entertaining as watching paint dry.