Trump’s $2,000 Stimulus Checks Are a Big Mistake — Larry Summers I am not opposing stimulus or favoring austerity. For years I have been making the secular stagnation case for more expansionary fiscal policy, and I have often remarked over the last couple of months that “not passing fiscal stimulus is like not wearing a mask at a large indoor gathering — an insane risk.” And both in the immediate term, and on a permanent basis, I am all for strengthening the social safety net. The issue is whether spending about $600 billion on a one-time tax credit that would be worth $8,000 to a family of four and reach more than ... (full story)