President-elect Obama today sketched a 2 year economic stimulus plan around infrastructure (roads, schools) and energy projects.[1] Both areas offer long term value. Cost: $175 billion, maybe more. New jobs: 2.5 million.

Update: Scarcely 48 hours later the estimate runs to $700 billion and consensus is forming to support that number as people recognize the depth of the problem and the risk of underfunding a recovery.[2]