WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF FISCAL POLICY? SEPARATING EVIDENCE FROM IDEOLOGY Christina D. Romer Hamilton College November 7, 2011 I. INTRODUCTION Tonight I want to talk about fiscal policy—those decisions the government makes about spending and taxes. The very first meeting I ever had with the President-Elect was on exactly this topic. I was in Chicago in mid-November 2008 for my job int