[ephbit]

> If the stimulus creates economic activity yielding revenues in excess of the stimulus itself then it can be 'free.'

In a growing economy (where more tangible goods and services are delivered to customers) this can be true, yes.

Kind of off-topic: I very much doubt this concept/aspiration/narrative/foundation or principle of planning/budgeting worldwide economy/expenses will remain viable for more than 20 years from now.

Why? Because humankind would be well advised to regard consumption of fossil energy as peak value, from where it continuously needs to decrease (rapidly so). The one driver of economic growth - energy, key to any human activity - ought to better have a lid on for decades to come. Not a good outlook for growth (of said tangible goods and services).