From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

Stimulating the economy now and in the future.

Hello again, I'm Mormon Alney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

a daily look of the issues Americans care about most.

The president and the Congress are prepared to break records for government spending with

consequences for America and the rest of the world. The stimulus package is supposed to move

fast enough to have immediate impact, but not so fast that it's reckless or wasteful.

Provisions requiring that contractors buy American are being called a declaration of war

against free trade. Could they lead to foreign retaliation? Do other elements advance the Democrats'

social agenda rather than focusing on creating jobs? What should be the long-term objectives? Can past

levels of growth and prosperity be restored? Or will Americans have to tighten their belts permanently?

First, here's the news.

Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica and from the Public Radio International Program Fund,

whose contributors include the Ford Foundation, the John D. and Catherine

T. MacArthur Foundation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, dedicated to the idea that all

people deserve the chance to live a healthy, productive life. Information at gatesfoundation.org.

Hello again. Warman-Alney, back with To the Point. Bill Clinton declared the era of big

government over. Well, it's back, with a stimulus package big enough to start reshap To the Point. Bill Clinton declared the era of big government over, well, it's back,

with a stimulus package big enough to start reshaping the economy. Today we'll look at the possible

impact now and in the long term. What would it mean for free trade, the global economy, and a

return to prosperity? First, this news update on Capitol Hill today, former Democratic Senate

leader Tom Dashel apologized for not paying all his taxes.

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