The TJ's-Just-Now-Getting-Caught-Up Special Post of Stuff

Keep the Fed Away From Investment Banks
Allan Meltzer via WSJ | Breeding overconfidence...
Only in the weird world of Washington are mistakes rewarded with major new responsibilities. After mismanaging both housing loans and the dot-com mess, the Federal Reserve may now become responsible for supervising investment banks. The proposal by Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson to do so could lead investment banks to accept more risk, because they will be able to hide some of their mistakes by borrowing from Federal Reserve banks.

Although hard to argue that the current financial regulatory system is not in need of change, even aside from the current crisis.

What if the Candidates Pandered to Economists?
Greg Mankiw via NYT | Pandering I can get behind
- Support free trade
- Oppose farm subsidies
- Leave oil companies and speculators alone
- Tax the use of energy
- Raise the retirement age
- Invite more skilled immigrants
- Raise funds for economic research