Frederic Bastiat vs. clunker cars

It's been good that the gifting of money to those w/ crappy cars has many people talking about Frederic Bastiat, the early 1800's writer/economist who wrote the famous "broken windows" essay titled "That Which is Seen and That Which is not Seen."

The concept that the govt can print/borrow money without consequences seems to still reign supreme. If that really worked, why is it politicians don't just send each of us $50k, or $100k? Why discriminate and only benefit the car industry (and the real estate industry w/ the first time home buyer credit of $8k)? What about a $500 coupon for the knife industry or $1000 coupon to be used for acupuncture?

The famous essay is below. Well worth reading.

http://bastiat.org/en/twisatwins.html