Charles Ferguson has made a documentary that must be seen if you want to understand why the same people who let the housing bubble and the 2008 financial meltdown happen are still in charge. But if you can’t go out and see Inside Job right away (it opened in New York and Los Angeles Friday), read Ferguson’s article, “Larry Summers and the Subversion of Economics,” summarizing his case in the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Tuesday night, I thought I’d attend The National Journal’s Debate on “Our Fiscal Future” between John Podesta and Douglas Holtz-Eakin with Jim Tankersley moderating at The George Washington University’s Marvin Center. I was interested because Podesta is often thought to be on the left-wing of “mainstream” opinion, and also it is said that he is one of the leading possibilities to succeed Rahm Emanuel as the President’s Chief of Staff. So, I wanted to see if I could find some glimmer of novelty in the point of view he expressed; some indication that he might bring some new thinking into The White House beyond what Obama has been hearing from say, Austan Goolsbee.

Unfortunately, the event filled up too fast and I wasn’t able to go, so I tuned into the live video stream, which is now available at the Center for American Progress web site. By the end of the debate I was very glad I didn’t go. First, because I got to “cover” the debate in my living room, and Second, because I didn’t appear to lose anything in translation, especially since the promised Q & A period was limited to answers to one question, and contained nothing that could possibly embarrass any of “the notables” or make them think twice about what they were saying.

Evil In The Name of Good: America From December 25, 1913, To September 11, 2001.

This is the third and last in a series of posts based on youtubes from a speech in Milford CT by Warren Mosler. Warren is running for the Senate in CT in the Independent Party primary. Unlike both the Democratic and Republican candidates Warren really understands economics and his forté is explaining it to people. Here’s a youtube following on the last one I blogged about. My earlier post covered Warren’s policy proposals. This one considers the question “How are you gonna pay for it?”

“We should be grateful for what we still have and keep the bonuses flowing.”

Questioning the passage of the Sanders’ audit the Fed amendment as a victory for reform

From the Huffington Post:

The amendment to open the Fed to a one-time audit of its lending between December 1, 2007 and the present passed 96-0.

Good. We’re auditing the Federal Reserve Bank. One time. From December 1, 2007 until today. Awesome.

Ever interview somebody too stupid to claim the job they’ve applied for? That would be Ben Bernanke. Show him the door, please. Next candidate, please?