Assorted Links (5/13/2010)

Here’s a list of articles that I have been reading lately:

Avoiding Fiscal Meltdown « Forbes.com’s StreetTalk

blogs.forbes.com

“There’s only only one way to achieve real deficit reduction: substantial cuts in government expenditure, especially lower government retirement and health benefits.”

Making Finance Easy to Fix, Not Hard to Break — The American, A Magazine of Ideas

www.american.com

“In the Bizzaro world of Washington, the narrative labels it ‘anti-reform’ to oppose a bill that would further entrench the people largely to blame for the financial crisis.”

Talking Sense About Global Warming – Project Syndicate

www.project-syndicate.org

“In February, 14 distinguished climate scientists, economists, and policy experts came together to discuss how to tackle global warming. The group’s report, “The Hartwell Paper,” outlines a new direction for climate policy after the collapse of last year’s attempts to negotiate a global climate deal.”

Clifford S. Asness and Aaron Brown: The Treasury-Financial Complex – WSJ.com

online.wsj.com

“In The Wall Street Journal, Clifford Asness and Aaron Brown of AQR Capital Management write that the Dodd bill is perfectly designed to create the largest and most powerful crony system in history.”

Ingrassia: Washington’s Bungling Auto Engineers – WSJ.com

online.wsj.com

“In The Wall Street Journal, automotive journalist Paul Ingrassia notes that Congress is designing everything from the braking system in your next car to the loan with which you’ll finance it. Be very afraid.”

Dan Henninger: The We’re-Not-Europe Party – WSJ.com

online.wsj.com

“Daniel Henninger writes in The Wall Street Journal that any U.S. politician purporting to run the presidency of the United States should be asked why the economic policies he or she is proposing won’t take us where Europe arrived this week.”

Puerto Rico, the 51st State? – WSJ.com

online.wsj.com

“John Fund writes in The Wall Street Journal that Nancy Pelosi is trying to make add to her numbers by making Puerto Rico a state.”