Jason Linkins: >TV SoundOff: Sunday Talking Heads: Evan Bayh, he wants someone to reduce the deficit for him, but he’d like to not do it himself. SOMEONE DO IT FOR HIM. And he yells at “far left wing blogs” for criticizing the spending freeze — in …
People respond to incentives, so if you want something done, reach for your wallet.That’s what you’d expect an economist to say, but it is a belief that infuriates many commentators.
I will concede that offering cash is not always productive. In …
As an economics student, I look to impress my girlfriend on a budget, and I know I am not alone. When it comes to choosing the wine to have with dinner, on the rare occasion that I get to take my girlfriend out, I avoid going for the cheapest bottle…
The *Economist*: “I understand the arguments from supporters… this is a political gambit… it won’t actually amount to much… a tool with which to co-opt the president’s moderate antagonists…. If this is the best the president can do, Democrats, …
She writes: >If We Can’t Even Agree on the Commission…: I still don’t understand why those in Congress who truly want to achieve fiscal sustainability would oppose this commission just because it’s not as strong as a statutory commission, wh…
The betting markets reckon Elin Nordgren will shortly divorce Tiger Woods. Considering the experiences of the wives of Shane Warne and Bill Clinton, that seems hasty. Shane Warne’s wife tolerated his scandals for years before divorcing him. Australia…
Worth reading both The Economist piece, and Clive Crook’s reaction to it. Gems include:
On nomenclature:
I prefer the Volcker rule. That way, as with the Greenspan put, we would know who [...]
A tall man with a big reputation for economic policy, Volcker has given his name to Obama’s attempt to curb Wall StreetObama called him simply “this tall guy behind me” today but the 2.01-metre-tall (6ft 7in) Paul Volcker – after whom the president’s new rule to curb Wall Street will be named – has an [...]
WSJ — "The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits unexpectedly rose last week — an increase a U.S. Labor Department economist said is partly due to an administrative backlog in processing claims. Total claims lasting more …
This Christmas, I asked my three children, aged 19, 18 and 16, for the following present: that they read the book Notte, Nebbia, a true story set in Gusen concentration camp, to help them remember the importance of tolerance, justice and freedom. This…