Initiatives are taking off. I do not share the widespread scepticism and sarcasm about the launch of a European economic stimulus plan. From the start, I have tried in this column to explain the plan's twofold nature: (a) sending a message to public opinion that the EU sees growth and jobs as equally important as budgetary discipline; and (b) the launch of immediate prospects for economic stimulus. The current developments confirm my idea that the Statement by European heads of state and...