The whole point of a stimulus package is that consumers are encouraged to use more goods and services so company's have a greater demand for workers- the more people working, the more people spending. Never has a stimulus package of such a large amount been conceived in the world however, let alone in America’s history.
Recovery Package and Fiscal Policy
But when was the last time America used fiscal policy of a large amount to combat a recession? And most importantly, did it actually work? The answer is only as far back as the beginning of 2008 where the American economy was given a short term boost through 168 billion dollars in tax cuts and rebates. What eventually occurred however is that the extra money was only used to pay off debt or put into savings accounts- both examples of money not being used in direct economic activity. And the fact that another stimulus package has had to be created testifies to the short-term solution of the 2008 package.