Let's be realistic - the President is not the all-knowing guru on economics, but rather is the water-carrier for the Democratic Congress who is shoving the largest pork-pie in history at breakneck speed, and using the recession as the reason for avoiding scrutiny, to feather the party nest via special interest payoffs and "social" programs which could never stand public review otherwise.

To try to sneak in The great condom purchase, ACORN funding, increases to the National Endowment for the Arts, etc. at a time when many Americans are nervous about jobs, keeping their homes, etc is SICKENING as line items in an "economic stimulus" package, and the authors of those (and other similar) line items should be made public for the opportunists they are.

I'm surprised there is not a ground-swell of anger from average-American Democrats, because their party leadership has snookered them under the guise of bailouts to protect average Americans.

We can disagree on whether bailouts are necessary to prop up the economy, and disagree in good faith. However, this blatant budget expansion for pet projects and obvious payoffs to special interests has no place in a piece of legislation publicized as a life preserver for the economy.

Where's the hurry on Condom-Gate, NEA funding, ACORN funding, etc ? ? ? Why can't those items go through the regular legislative process? Who's kidding whom here !