Opinion - Aug. 6, 2009

Billions more for other needs?

It is hard to tell how much stimulus money is out there. Billions and billions of dollars for sure. Commitments may actually run into the trillions.

Not so long ago, people used to say “a billion, with a “B.” It was to avoid misunderstandings and to emphasize the amount.

Now, a billion does not sound like much at all.

Congress is sure to give a couple of billion more this week for the “cash for clunkers” program, where the federal government gives money when old vehicles are traded in for newer ones that get better fuel mileage. The billion dollar limit was reach...