November 26, 2008 9:36AM 

# Pointless, Political, and Pork-filled 

By [David Boaz](https://www.cato.org/people/david-boaz) 

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Greg Mankiw [speculates](http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/2008/11/competing-alliteration.html) on the best alliterative description of the stimulus package:

> Instead of fiscal stimulus that is temporary, targeted, and timely, [John Taylor ](http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122757149157954723.html)suggests that it be permanent, pervasive, and predictable.
> 
> 
> What the Obama administration is aiming for, it seems, is helpful, hopeful, and humongous.
> 
> 
> Critics fear it might end up pointless, political, and pork-filled.
> 
> 
> —–
> 
> 
> Update: A reader emails me that Larry Summers now calls for stimulus that is speedy, substantial, and sustained.
> 
> 
> Other readers think it will be:
> 
> 
> big, bloated, and borrowed. 
> immodest, immoral, and imbecilic. 
> clumsy, corrupt, and counterproductive. 
> expansive, extensive, and expensive. 
> weighty, worrisome, and wayward. 
> politicized, pandered, and pathetic. 
> socialized, silly, and sorry. 
> random, record-setting, and ridiculed. 
> ultimate utilitarian utopianism. 
> absolutely abjectly apocalyptic.

##### Related Tags 

[Government and Politics](https://www.cato.org/government-politics), [Tax and Budget Policy](https://www.cato.org/tax-budget-policy) 

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