Happy Friday. This morning — Bernanke’s been confirmed. Now what? The debate over whether Treasuries should be included in the Wall Street tax. And why comedians aren’t getting many corporate gigs anymore…
Bernanke’s job is simple: Inspire confidence (Washington Post)
March of the Peacocks (Paul Krugman/NYT)
So we’re paralyzed in the face of mass unemployment and out-of-control health care costs. Don’t blame Mr. Obama. There’s only so much one man can do, even if he sits in the White House. Blame our political culture instead, a culture that rewards hypocrisy and irresponsibility rather than serious efforts to solve America’s problems. And blame the filibuster, under which 41 senators can make the country ungovernable, if they choose — and they have so chosen.
I’m sorry to say this, but the state of the union — not the speech, but the thing itself — isn’t looking very good.
Government bonds may be exempt from the bank tax (Reuters)
Don’t exclude government bonds from the bank tax (Felix Salmon)
Debt collector: Tough job but someone’s got to do it (NPR)
Fewer comedians getting corporate gigs (Marketplace Morning Report)
Comedian Chipper Lowell knows this well.
CHIPPER LOWELL: In this day and age, you never talk about hiring, firing, where I could in the past. I could make jokes about replacing the president of a company and things like that; that is all taboo right now.
PETERS: What happens if you do?
LOWELL: Oh, just don’t. You want the next gig.
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