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Why Romney's Choice of Ryan Won't Help America Debate the Big Issues (Robert Reich)

Reich writes that it's hard to have a serious discussion of the issues when the GOP ticket either doesn't have any plans or refuses to explain them clearly. Maybe at the debates Obama can guess some details and Romney can tell him if he's getting warmer.

Mitt Romney tries to explain Medicare stance (Politico)

Maybe Romney's better off not trying to explain; his impromptu whiteboard analysis of the difference between his and Obama's Medicare plans included such insights as "Romney: Solvent" and "Obama: Bankrupt." Let's see the CBO try to score that one.

Game Changer: Biden Guarantees No Changes in Social Security (HuffPo)

Robert Borosage notes that a promise from the veep, who has a habit of leading the administration's messaging whether they want him to or not, suggests they're finally treating the social safety net as a hard-won prize instead of a potential bargaining chip.

Mitt Romney and Extreme Fiscal Policy (NYT)

Simon Johnson contrasts Romney's vague tax proposals with Ryan's hardcore ideology. If Republican economic policy is all about the magic of the markets, Mitt Romney is the guy who did some tricks at your fifth birthday party and Paul Ryan is Gandalf.

Paul Ryan and the Stimulus: A Match Designed to Make My Head Explode (Time)

Michael Grunwald notes that Paul Ryan, Man of Principle™, has consistently opposed government spending except for when the Bush administration did it, or when House Republicans voted for it, or when he wanted the money to go to Wisconsin.

America has lost the battle over government (FT)

Jeffrey Sachs argues that no matter what the outcome of the election, both parties are commited to shrinking the government. The Democrats may be testing the water temperature and adding some bubbles, but they're still getting the bathtub ready.

Playing Defense on the Sequestration Battle (TAP)

Jeremiah Goulka reviews some of the terrifying automatic cuts to defense spending that could occur in January, which would leave us with a military so weak it might take up to 48 extra hours to crush the entire world beneath America's mighty fist.

The Truth About the SEC and Wall Street (CNBC)

John Carney notes a new study that finds the revolving door hasn't made SEC prosecutors back off. Instead, it provides the opportunity for a sales pitch: "If I'm this annoying to you now, imagine how much I'll annoy everyone else when you hire me."

Bridget Siegel: How Women Can Break Into the Cutthroat World of Campaigns (Forbes)

NND Editor Bryce Covert talks to a Democratic fundraiser about the barriers to entry for women in politics and why it's just as important to have more women pulling the strings behind the scenes as it is to have more of them volunteering for puppethood.

The Rich vs. the Super-Rich, in 2 Charts (The Atlantic)

The rich aren't just different from you and me; they're also different from each other. Matthew O'Brien highlights a chart that shows the difference between your average rich guy and your lights-his-cigars-with-fifties rich guy, who has a lot more capital gains.