$100 Billion

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That's how much fat has been trimmed from the fat sandwich known as The Stimulus. That makes me feel so much better. How about you?
Obama's economic recovery plan on track in Senate
President Barack Obama's economic recovery plan is on track to pass the Senate after a handful of moderate Republicans and Democrats forced more than $100 billion in cuts in programs that wouldn't create many jobs right away.

But the group backed away from a confrontation that threatened to kill the legislation altogether after White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel weighed in to urge Democrats make a final round of concessions.

Architects of the compromise included Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Ben Nelson, D-Neb., who represented a broader group of moderates unhappy that so much money went into programs they thought wouldn't create jobs. Eventually, every Republican except Collins and Arlen Specter, R-Pa., left the talks, which finally produced a deal with the White House late Friday afternoon.

Reminds me of that Ditech.com commercial some years back. A couple is presented with a huge stack of paperwork to fill out to get their home loan. They confusedly ask something like, "But I thought the paperwork to get a loan had been reduced." The sleazy loan officer smiles obsequiously and says something like, "Why yes you're right!" He then takes one sheet of paper off of the top of the stack and leaves the couple to their own devices.

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