"If increased government spending with borrowed or newly created money is a 'stimulus,' then the Weimar Republic should have been stimulated to unprecedented prosperity, instead of runaway inflation and widespread economic desperation that ultimately brought Adolf Hitler to power."

Conspiracy theory is not something I embrace nor encourage.  Hitler, however, seems to be the world champion bug-a-boo for conspiracties, Hitler and fascism.  Must I remind again however that fascism really is a phenominon that has always originated on the socialist end of the spectrum?  Dictators on the right don't bother with the niceties of democratic elections.

Sowell goes on, "One of the most important talents for success in politics is the ability to make utter nonsense sound not only plausible but inspiring. Barack Obama has that talent. We will be lucky if we escape the catastrophes into which other countries have been led by leaders with that same charismatic talent."

The relationship between these two thoughts is something to think about, though they were not listed sequentially, and likely did not even occur to Sowell.  Charismatic is common theme however; both Hitler and Mussolini had that talent.  Stalin didn't and took control the old-fashioned way, despite the Marxist rhetoric; recall his references to American Communists as "useful idiots."

I do not suggest a conspiracy, nor do I suggest inevitability; merely a concern based on historical precidents.  It is something to think about, if you have not already.