Anybody who has watched government from the inside recognizes that governments need institutions, need ways to respond to crises.

The only surprise about the economic crisis of 2008 was that it came as a surprise to so many.

The military is focusing only on the short run costs. If they don't provide appropriate body armor, they save some money today, but the healthcare cost is going to be the future for some other president down the line. I view that as both fiscally and morally irresponsible.

Trickle-down economics is a myth. Enriching corporations - as the TPP would - will not necessarily help those in the middle, let alone those at the bottom.

I grew up in a family in which political issues were often discussed, and debated intensely.

Nationalization of private debts undermines prudential lender behavior and is a government intervention in the market.

But individuals and firms spend an enormous amount of resources acquiring information, which affects their beliefs; and actions of others too affect their beliefs.