Make no mistake: Government and privately funded investment in public works projects – not bubble inducing, debt-financed consumer spending – will be the guiding light that leads the way out of this recession. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – otherwise known as the “Stimulus Bill” – provides $120 billion to begin to address our nation’s crumbling infrastructure.

Obama’s stimulus plan will only end up making a sick patient even sicker, says Jon Herring. But that won’t stop it happening. Jon says infrastructure firms stand to benefit in the short run. But the real long-term winners will be companies that benefit from rising inflation.

Justice Litle says these two things are clear right now: 1) America’s infrastructure is crumbling, and 2) Washington is ready to spend trillions to rescue the economy. Put them together, and that means big business for construction firms. Justice picks eight of the best companies in the industry, which has a bright future under President Obama.

Quote of the week: I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph. – Shirley Temple

Here are eight stocking stuffers to unwrap.

Pack your bags, folks – “There’s no more Wall Street.” That’s the damning verdict from Alan Greenberg, former CEO of The Bear Stearns Cos. Speaking on Bloomberg TV’s “Money and Politics” show, Greenberg declared that the existing Wall Street investment-banking model is dead.

Obama’s infrastructure plan is still vague. But we know it will be big. And we know there will be great investment opportunities. Martin Denholm picks out the best stock plays in construction, engineering, utilities and raw materials.