Here is a little list:

1. The ability to restore fiscal discipline, given that we passed a stimulus bill in the House that spends more than did the massive New Deal boondoggles of years past.
2. The ability to have a separate and vigorous argument over education policy, given that federal education outlays have been doubled in the stimulus bill.
3. The ability to have a separate and vigorous argument over health care policy, given that the states are receiving $87 billion in Medicare funds, and that Medicaid and SCHIP coverage is being determined through the stimulus bill.
4. The ability to have a separate and vigorous argument over redistribution of wealth, given that the stimulus bill engages in redistribution.
5. The ability to crack down on the culture of earmarks.

Sources are here, here, and here. These are the “good government” policies that were sold to us during the election?