Assorted Links (7/4/2011)

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

American Exceptionalism

www.advancingafreesociety.org

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

Is There a Shortage of Primary Care Physicians?

www.advancingafreesociety.org

“Until the early part of the twentieth century, practically all physicians in the United States and elsewhere were primary care physicians, not specialists. his changed dramatically in all developed countries over the remainder of that century, so that at present, over 75% of all American doctors specialize in fields like surgery, cardiology, dermatology, urology, and oncology.”

Burning down the house

www.washingtonpost.com

“How a Dem operative started the financial crisis.”

Invisible sieve

www.economist.com

I agree with Mr. Pariser; I am concerned about the “filter bubble”, which he defines as “”a unique universe of information for each of us”, meaning that we are less likely to encounter information online that challenges our existing views or sparks serendipitous connections. “A world constructed from the familiar is a world in which there’s nothing to learn,” Mr Pariser declares. He calls this “invisible autopropaganda, indoctrinating us with our own ideas”.”

The Future Still Belongs to America

professional.wsj.com

“In The Wall Street Journal, Walter Russell Mead writes that the 21st century will throw challenges at everyone—and the U.S. is better positioned to adapt than China, Europe or the Arab world.”

For Whom The Greek Bell Tolls

www.forbes.com

Steve Forbes asks, “Why is Greece such a basket case? And what are the implications for Europe and the U.S.?”

Ronald Reagan, champion of freedom

www.advancingafreesociety.org

“Fifty-five years ago, freedom reigned for a brief moment in Communist Hungary. On October 23, 1956, student protesters marched through the streets of Budapest demanding an immediate end to their Soviet-dominated government.”

The GOP’s Debt-Ceiling Divide

professional.wsj.com

“In The Wall Street Journal’s Potomac Watch column, Kimberley Strassel writes that the Biden talks are giving budget hawks a chance to carve away some of the Republicans’ own sacred-cow subsidies.”

A Debt-Limit Election

professional.wsj.com

“In The Wall Street Journal, Wonder Land columnist Dan Henninger writes that what began as a technicality has become a metaphor for the stakes in 2012.”

Review & Outlook: Obama’s Real Revenue Problem – WSJ.com

professional.wsj.com

“The Wall Street Journal says tax receipts are low because of the mediocre economic recovery.”

Obama Calls People Earning $250,000 a Year ‘Jet Owners’

blogs.wsj.com

“President Obama has a new term for the people he wants to tax more: jet owners. The problem is that most people that would be subject to the higher taxes the president wants aren’t likely to be private-jet owners.”

The missing facts in President Obama’s news conference

washingtonpost.com

“The president left out a few details when he denounced Republicans on taxes and discussed Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi.”

Gators get their move on in Texas

Source: statesman.com

I didn’t realize until now that the great state of Texas has a gator population in the range of 250,000 to 500,000!

Who Owns Risk?

www.cfo.com

“The ultimate responsibility for risk management has shifted away from the CFO.”