what is being stimulated?

The agreement between house and senate conferees on the stimulus package was announced today. So far, it is clear that the incentives put into the bill in the Senate to breathe some life into the housing industry has been removed. Why? Was this deemed too likely to actually lead to economic activity in a really weak area of the economy? Is it better to put the money into research at NIH, an area where there already were adequate funds? The incentives for buying new cars were also scaled back. Again, this is an area where the feds have been propping up the car manufacturers -- was it too much to ask that some of the stimulus actually go to this industry? I guess so. Apparently, it is more important to stick in funds for education to make sure no teacher gets furloughed, even in the face of declining enrollments. The three Republican stooges who supported this travesty are now totally proud of their handiwork. Good for them! Let them try to get renominated in the next primary.