And the ball kept rolling through 2009. Spears ditched the douche bags (who can forget Sam Lutfi and Adnan Ghalib?) and wigs, got back in the recording studio and went on a world tour. She secured an endorsement deal with Candies, she showed up on the cover of magazines again, she had multiple hits, and she got back partial custody of her children. Yeah, it was a pretty great year for Ms. Britney.

But I have to ask: despite all that, is Britney really back?

While she may have given up the hourly Starbucks runs and love affairs with the Paparazzi, I find it difficult to look at Britney as the mega super star I once stalked after a concert (true story – her giant body guard was not happy). I, like most young girls, idolized Britney. She was hot, world famous, a trend setter, talented, and her songs were the best.

Now, she’s hot, but after watching her self destruct, I can’t look at her and not see the very talented team that is so obviously dictating her every move.

Sure, she took a world tour, but her performances were mediocre.
Yeah, she’s had some major hits, but it’s impossible to ignore her manufactured voice.
And she may look super hot in those new Candies ads, but all I see is the girl who was put on Psych lockdown playing the part of a sexy pop starlet because that’s what she’s been told to do.

I think Britney’s people have done a great job of bringing her back this past year and I can’t thank them enough for “If You Seek Amy,” but I’ll never be able to put Britney back on the pedestal on which she once stood. Hard as I try, I can’t see her as the world’s pop princess, a fashion icon, or anything else she once represented.

I’ll still play her music while I work out and I’ll dance to it when I’m at the bar, but let’s face it, people: Britney 2.0 is just a watered down version of of greatness.

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Now, I know this is a lot of money he is looking to spend, and I know that everyone is wondering where all this money is going to come from, but we kinda need all the help we can get, no?

I’m not going to pretend I am 100% educated on this plan; when it comes to economics, just the word gives me a headache (I’m a right brained kind of gal). I do know enough, however, to know that this country is in the crapper right now and there are quite a few things this stimulus could really help with.

So, here are a few reasons I’m in full support of Obama’s Stimulus Plan. Bring on the money!

1) I like shopping. I miss shopping. And I think all you ladies out there can agree that the current economy has put a damper on this venture. Even all those great sales are going un-shopped because I can’t even justify a sale purchase. Horrifying, I know.

2) I wouldn’t mind having a job after graduation. Don’t get me wrong – spending the next year watching The Real Housewives and eating popcorn on the couch sounds good, but I’m not sure my parents would agree. I just feel like I’ve been going to school forever, so, you know, having a job might make sense. Not to mention…

3) I have a ton of student loans to I have to pay off. How am I supposed to do that without a job or money?

4) 2 words: Britney Concert. I need some major funds if I wanna catch Britney live. And, duh, I do.

5)  Frankly, I’m sick of all the depressing news. Foreclosures, unemployment, banks closing… If nothing else, this little (ok, HUGE) stimulus package will add a little sunshine to a rather gloomy year. Normally I’d turn to beer for that, but – thanks to the recession – I can’t afford it.