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Identity Politics Revisited (Washington Monthly)
Roosevelt Institute Senior Fellow Mark Schmitt reviews a new book that challenges the idea that social issues are a distraction for the left. Economic messages are usually stronger if they're not geared toward a nondescript department store mannequin.
Romney Cribs from the GOP's Willie Horton Playbook (TNR)
Timothy Noah notes that Romney has doubled down on his campaign's welfare lies by claiming that Obama is trying to "shore up his base" of TANF recipients. Because there's no group American politicians court like people too poor to feed themselves.
What is the Point of a National Political Convention? (Naked Capitalism)
Roosevelt Institute Fellow Matt Stoller argues that the spectacle we'll see over the next two weeks is a political trade show, a locus of protest, and an opportunity to party like only a bunch of middle-aged to elderly politicos, delegates, and lobbyists can.
Republicans: We Won't Build That (Fiscal Times)
Mark Thoma writes that we need monetary and fiscal policy to boost the recovery, but the GOP opposes even supply-side ideas like infrastructure spending. If a bridge collapses, it's your personal responsiblity to take some swimming lessons and deal with it.
Remembering the Republicans' Stimulus (WaPo)
Ezra Klein contrasts Senate Republicans' proposal for a $3 trillion tax cut with no offsets and the decision to feature a running debt clock at this year's RNC, reflecting the all-consuming fear that the party coincidentally developed just three years ago.
What Do Democrats and Republicans Agree On? (NYT)
As both parties prepare to heighten the contrasts, Annie Lowrey searches for common ground between them on issues like simplifying the tax code. Closing corporate loopholes is one approach; running the whole thing through a paper shredder is another.
Women Backslide in Retail Jobs, Losing Yet Another Foothold in the New Economy (The Nation)
Some pundits have assumed that women's dominance of growing sectors like retail meant they'd one day rule the economy like department store despots, but NND Editor Bryce Covert flags new research that shows men staging a coup in aisle five.
Romney Pledges a Fed That Will Screw Workers (HuffPo)
Dean Baker notes that Romney has pledged to nominate a Fed chairman who supports a strong dollar, which would be bad news for domestic jobs and wages but great news for Mexican and Chinese exports. Think of it as a new form of foreign aid.
Our Dis-Integrated Economy (NYT)
Nancy Folbre writes that advances in technology and strategic investments have made America's business environment so friendly for entrepreneurs and corporations that they've been freed from the hassle of creating any jobs or value here.
"They want to run us to death" (Salon)
Josh Eidelson writes that while Democrats plan to include a pro-union plank in their platform at their convention in Charlotte, poor working conditions and a questionable choice of locations has left workers wishing they'd practice what they preach.