By Tim Price, originally published on Next New Deal
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America's Latest Phony Fiscal Crisis (Bloomberg)
Simon Johnson writes that America really is exceptional. Unsatisified with run-of-the-mill fiscal crises driven by factors like high interest rates and rampant inflation, we went out and invented our own model based primarily on obstinance and spite.
Grover Norquist's Last Laugh (Prospect)
Robert Kuttner argues President Obama shouldn't have settled for a tax increase on the top 1 percent instead of holding out for the repeal of the sequester, especially since anti-tax advocates are so upset by the deal that they can hardly stop smiling.
Do female bosses lead to better treatment for all women? (WaPo)
Roosevelt Institute Fellow Mike Konczal highlights research that shows women executives do help the rank and file, but once they make it, the usual response isn't "How do we get more women at the top?" but "Don't we already have one of those?"
More Work and No Play Puts Today's Moms in a Tough Bind (Forbes)
NND Editor Bryce Covert notes that a study finds men have stepped up their presence at home since the '60s (in that they no longer behave like visitors from out of town), but women still shoulder the burden of work whether they're at home or, well, work.
Marches of Folly (NYT)
Ten years after the invasion of Iraq, Paul Krugman looks back on how the U.S. was persuaded to act against its best interests by a deceitful and manipulative political elite and a compliant media. Thank goodness we all learned our lesson that time.
Conservatives' contradictions on American power (WaPo)
E.J. Dionne argues that while right-wingers like Rand Paul show some consistency in opposing government intervention at home and abroad, others seem to think the government is worthless unless it's all up in some other country's business.
A Labor Secretary Pick Progressives Will Love -- and Republicans Will Hate (MoJo)
Adam Serwer writes that Thomas Perez, Obama's choice for the next Secretary of Labor, is a progressive who's fought hard for civil rights and against the exploitation of workers. And if that doesn't disqualify him, then Chuck Grassley is simply at a loss.
Why Conservatives Want to Break Up the Banks, Too (TNR)
Timothy Noah notes that ending "too big to fail" is the rare policy that's gaining traction on both sides of the aisle. When you combine economic distortion and inequality with the specter of regulatory capture, there's something for everyone to hate.
Tim Price is Deputy Editor of Next New Deal. Follow him on Twitter @txprice.