Pandemic flu planning is not stimulus

Democrats are jumping on the revelation that Sen. Susan Collins (R-MN) objected to funds for pandemic flu planning in the stimulus bill.

I'm with The Economist's New York blogger:

Stimulus bills are meant to quickly stimulate demand in the economy and create jobs. They are not meant to account for all unforeseen contingencies. Congress could've included all sorts of funding in the stimulus—volcano monitoring, tornado tracking, alien surveillance—if the only reason needed was "just in case". Perhaps it's not the best time to brag about it, but Ms Collins was right to oppose the inclusion of this funding in the stimulus measure. Put those items in the annual budget, where they belong.

Update: A more valid criticism of the GOP is that they've delayed the confirmation of a HHS secretary.