"A trillion here, a trillion there and pretty soon you're talking about real money"

In this quote, Daniel Hannan is highlighting the huge quantity of money that is being invested by federal governments. He uses the expression "a trillion here, a trillion there" to emphasize the enormity of the numbers being thrown around. By stating "quite quickly you're discussing genuine cash," Hannan is recommending that these large amounts of money are not simply abstract figures, however they have a concrete effect on the economy and people's lives. He is warning versus the casual mindset towards spending such large quantities, advising us that it is ultimately real cash that will have repercussions.