Not on the agenda

摘要

Six months ago the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the federal "stimulus" package, was expected to jump-start a virtually stalled economy. The estimated $787-billion outlay was meant to invigorate manufacturing and construction by delivering the capital needed to proceed with "shovel ready" programs. Then, these projects were to revive demand for materials, components, and services, which would boost industrial activity overall, support employment, and encourage consumers to resume spending.