WASHINGTON-Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has used up almost half of the $700 billion economic bailout, and one Texas Republican proposes that the other half go back to taxpayers.

Rep. Louie Gohmert has proposed a two-month tax holiday beginning in January 2009 for all Americans-corporations excluded.

"We need to give this money to the people who earned it," said Gohmert in a statement. "I am sick of Washington millionaires trying to decide which of their cronies should get the next wad of taxpayer money."

When I labeled the economic stimulus measures of the current administration "Keynesian," a Republican friend of mine got angry. Not at me-he got angry at his own party's leaders for sacrificing their principles in the face of hardship. He realized the similarities between the year 2008 and the Republican follies of the early 1930s and 1970s. And he expressed his disgust by staying home on November 4.

Amid the dark days of a stumbling economy, millions of Americans found light and hope in the soaring promises of a newly elected Democrat. Could this master of rhetoric animate his grand vision in the lives of a hurting populace? Could he make good on the flowery oration that had so inspired voters throughout the campaign?

Don't get me wrong, I'm totally opposed to a government bailout. But if you're going to do it anyway, I want in on it.

WASHINGTON-A $25 billion bailout for the auto industry fell flat Thursday when Senate and House leadership decided to postpone the legislation. Lawmakers demanded that the auto chiefs present more specific plans on how they would use the money to the House and Senate banking committees by Dec. 2. Congress plans to reconvene Dec. 8 to reconsider the legislation.