Money

It's time to restart the dialogue on the flat tax. It's a policy that has cycled in and out of the national discourse since the 1990s, when the flat tax gathered some momentum across party lines. Jerry Brown, the former Governor of California and supply-side advocate, supported the flat tax in his unsuccessful 1992 campaign for the Democratic Presidential nomination.Read more

Here's the Associated Press on the financial shape of Social Security:
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Vexing ourselves over the differences between a "tax" and a "charge" may be an unnecessary distraction from the important debate surrounding health insurance reform. When President Barack Obama does raise taxes, the public may well show a little outrage. But they are unlikely to be too surprised.Read more

The fallout from the financial crisis has not been all bad. In fact, for a few, it's been quite beneficial. Lobbyists, arms manufacturers, big tobacco and dictators, for example, can now feel comfortable introducing themselves at cocktail parties with no embarrassment for their professions. That is, as long as an investment banker is also present. Better still if someone is there who confesses to shamelessly short selling the market.
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