Outside the Beltway

Do people who take advantage of tax breaks get a “government benefit”?

I’m continually shocked when demonstrably bright and accomplished people fall in love with authoritarian states.

Real news reporting has never paid for itself. But the days of it being subsidized by the local car dealer are rapidly ending.

While unemployment remains stubbornly high, Washington is spending its time fighting over the budget deficit

The White House would really appreciate it if you didn’t pay attention to all that bad economic news.

Judging by the June jobs report, there’s no economic recovery coming in the near future.

Not only was June a horrible month for jobs but May was even worse than previously announced.

Not surprisingly, people still order that big juicy cheeseburger even after being told it contains over 1,000 calories.

Microsoft is making millions from Android phones, despite having nothing to do with designing, marketing, manufacturing, or distributing them.

President Obama smiled as he signed the 2009 stimulus into law, but the results aren’t anything to smile about.

More people are chasing careers in film than there are careers in film. And not just in front of the camera.

What exactly is the GOP trying to accomplish in the debt ceiling negotiations?

If the U.S. defaults, Eric Cantor will make some money.

Does a little known provision in the 14th Amendment make the entire debt ceiling debate irrelevant?

A new Georgia immigration law is causing serious problems for Georgia’s farmers.

Are you better off than you were three years ago? 44% of Americans say no.

US News editor-in-chief Mort Zuckerman explains “Why the Jobs Situation Is Worse Than It Looks.”

More slow economic growth, the L-shaped recession.

The modern equivalent of selling ice to Eskimos.

Grover Norquist believes ending government handouts must be offset by tax cuts.

The gang at Fox Nation is amused that President Obama is blaming ATMs for high unemployment. But he’s right.

What was that, a joke about shovel ready jobs not being so shovel ready. Yeah unemployment a topic ripe for great comedy.

We might be looking at a potential fiscal crisis.

Rick Perry makes a valid point about bringing the economy back to Biblical principles.

Hillary Clinton is actively lobbying to be the next president of the World Bank, Reuters reports.

Charging soldiers $200 for an extra bag on their way home for war? Really Delta?

Tim Pawlenty’s new fiscal plan isn’t very grounded in reality.

How insurance makes health care more expensive

Is it possible to address the U.S. fiscal situation?

Austan Goolsbee is resigning as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors to return to the University of Chicago.

Is Peter Diamond qualified to be a Fed governor?

The housing market has changed over the past five years, and that’s a good thing.

The jobs market has been weak for much longer than just the past two years.