It's known as the federal government.

And, are you implying that there are no historical examples where federal assistance to business has played a role in economic recovery? Probably the biggest counter-example is the Marshall plan, which was central to post-WWII recovery in Europe. But there are many other examples, whether it's federal assistance for infrastructure and human capital (railroad construction, highway systems, GI Bill) or direct job creation and payments to individuals (WPA, Social Security). To compare all federal assistance to business to a Soviet-style planned economy just doesn't hold up. Obama's as tax credit friendly as a moderate Republican in some ways - he's proposed tax credits for hiring and included a sizable middle-class tax cut in the stimulus package. But it's a fantasy to think that tax credits alone are going to get us sufficient growth to get out of recession. Didn't a recent president named Bush already try that?

Remember, this is DU - supply side purity gets called out here.