China has lunged into the 21st century, while India is still lurching toward it.

Conservatives brayed that government should stay out of the private sector; liberals bleated for nationalizing the banks.

China has lunged into the 21st century, while India is still lurching toward it.

Picking winners among the many young companies seeking money is a tough business, even for the most sophisticated investors. Indeed, most professionally run venture funds lose money. For individuals, it's pure folly. Buy a lottery ticket instead. Your chance of winning is likely to be higher.

Not surprisingly, troubled economic times often beget proselytizers of wacky, extreme ideas.

Indias rigid social structure limits intergenerational economic mobility and fosters acceptance of vast wealth disparities.

Well, maybe not death panels, exactly, but unless we start allocating health-care resources more prudently – rationing, by its proper name – the exploding cost of Medicare will swamp the federal budget.