Middle-class societies don't emerge automatically as an economy matures, they have to be CREATED through political action.

What Republicans have actually put on the table is almost nothing. All of the rest is just big talk. So how is the president supposed to negotiate with people who say, 'Here's my demands. By the way, I can't give you any specifics. Just make me happy'?

A message to progressives: By all means, hang Senator Joe Lieberman in effigy.

Under the gold standard America had no major financial panics other than in 1873, 1884, 1890, 1893, 1907, 1930, 1931, 1932, and 1933.

The real danger with debt is what happens if lots of people decide, or are forced, to pay it off at the same time.

The public has no idea that the deficit has been falling like a stone.

[I]f you look at United States history since World War II, you find that of the 10 presidents who preceded Barack Obama, seven left office with a debt ratio lower than when they came in. Who were the three exceptions? Ronald Reagan and the two George Bushes.