From The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer — Originally published Wednesday, Feb. 11

… We cannot wait for a perfect [economic stimulus] bill, and we cannot let our desire for great be the enemy of good. But as lawmakers work out the differences between the House and Senate plans this week, they need to beef up the provisions that could get people back on their feet and back to work, and trim everything else.

… Doing something just to do something isn’t good enough. President Obama needs to hold this bill, and its negotiators in Congress, to a higher standard.

This is debt that our children and grandchildren will be paying off, so we can’t lightly throw around a billion here or there. Every dollar should be laser-focused on helping hurting people, sparking the economy and then sustaining that growth. All other provisions should be handled in their own bills and judged on their own merit.

… We need a stimulus package, and quickly, but President Obama first needs to force Congress to recognize “good enough” isn’t good enough.