The President has signed a $168 billion “economic stimulus” package that has as its cornerstone a rebate to taxpayers of between $300-1200 for nearly everybody who pays taxes.

It was a remarkable thing to watch all the politicians in Washington scurry when just a few weeks ago the first whispers that the economy might be slowing down a little. Within days a pretty clear consensus developed and leadership from both parties were signing “kumbaya.” A bill was quickly drafted and whisked through both chambers of Congress with nary a ripple of turmoil or debate.

Watching all of this unfold with such ease and bipartisan consensus made me think of two questions:

1. If it was so easy to find and turn loose of $168 billion, why did they take it from us in the first place?

2. If they understand that less dollars in Washington and more back home was good for the economy, then why are Obama and Clinton promising to do just the opposite if they get to be President?