There is a broad consensus among economists that while the expansive New Deal mitigated suffering, stabilized the political and financial systems and gave people hope -- no small things -- it was too small to jump-start America out the Great Depression.

What did that was the socialism of war financed by a gigantic debt -- employing most men in the Army and most women in war factories. That huge stimulus in salaries and business production worked, and the debt was paid off by the subsequent economic boom.

Almost all economists now say that a large, debt-financed government stimulus is again needed to re-energize our lethargic economy; otherwise, we'll spiral into a long, stagnant scene of unemployment.

Some conservative Southern Republican senators say they'll obstruct the stimulus. Our conservative Republican Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett should not join them. Be statesmen and be for an aggressive stimulus, but also be good Republicans; that is, work to ensure that the money is spent smartly and honestly.

Be like Sen. Harry Truman during World War II: He was all for the war, but his "Truman Committee" investigated and checked military wastefulness by exposing fraud and mismanagement.

Be constructive Republicans.

Edward Cannon Clayton

Salt Lake City