Why is Massachusetts growing so slowly, resulting in the loss of a congressional seat? This piece argues that it is because there is a housing shortage in Greater Boston (and in other parts of the state) driven by restrictive building regulations. I would also argue that the overall climate of taxes and regulations are a factor, and the proximity of a less heavily taxed and regulated state (New Hampshire, of course).

Meanwhile, tax increases in Illinois have some business leaders considering relocation.

Nicole Gelinas argues that the creation of a legal bankruptcy process for the states is not the solution to their fiscal woes. She does not offer an alternative, however.

Paul Krugman says the President is wrong to even give lip service to conservative ideology concerning competitiveness. Of course, Krugman does not have to get elected to anything.

Ambrose Evans-Pritchard says that appeasement is the best policy to use with a growing and more bellicose China. Needless to say, I disagree strongly, but read the piece anyway.

Robert J. Samuelson describes the nature of our difficulties with China. Essentially, China is a mercantilist power, using currency manipulation and other techniques to prey on the rest of the world's economies, especially ours. I believe the Chinese leaders are doing this because they know they must try to appease the great, poverty-stricken mass of their population. Failure to keep the wheels turning would, they are certain, lead to chaos, which is the historical pattern for China since the 19th Century. Therefore, I expect they will continue to pursue their predatory policies. I also expect their military complex will become more powerful over time, as the Japanese military did during that country's explosive period of growth and modernization from the late 19th through the early 20th centuries. Looking around the world, the parallels between our time and the 1930s continue. Of course, you know how that historical period ended,