What you need to know to navigate today's most critical debates.

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We've been brainwashed (Salon)

Roosevelt Institute Senior Fellow Joseph Stiglitz writes that the 99% suffer from a kind of Stockholm Syndrome -- the 1% have been controlling policy and ruining our lives for so long that we're convinced it's in our best interest to help them do it.

A theory on the Obama campaign's messaging problems (WaPo)

Ezra Klein argues that Obama's attacks on Bain are probably exactly what voters want to hear, but voters are much less interested in hearing political elites debate whether he's following proper Marquis de Queensbury rules by bringing it up.

Yes, Romney's Vision for America Really Is That Scary (TNR)

Jonathan Cohn notes that conservatives annoyed by President Obama's speech in Ohio yesterday seem upset not that he misrepresented Romney's agenda, but that he was rude enough to cite evidence about what the consequences would be.

We Don't Need No Education (NYT)

Paul Krugman gives Romney points for admitting that the result of GOP policies is that more cops, firefighters, and teachers will be fired, but subtracts them for following up with his best Merkel impression and insisting the pain means it's working.

Women Voters Will Decide Whether 2012 is a "Year of the Woman" (Forbes)

NND Editor Bryce Covert writes that the large numbers of women running for office this year may be buoyed by women voters who don't want to vote for just anyone with an XX chromosome but are definitely tired of watching old men run everything.

Europe's Tragic Farce (TAP)

Robert Kuttner writes that despite bargaining with Spain to reach a bailout deal that didn't require harsh austerity, Germany's conditions really just defer austerity until Spain's economy is wrecked enough to get a good downward spiral going.

An Institutional Flaw at the Heart of the Federal Reserve (NYT)

Simon Johnson argues that Jamie Dimon's conflict of interest as a member of the New York Fed is the latest illustration that while we do need a central bank, we don't need it to operate like an upscale lodge for Wall Street elites and their pals.

JP Morgan As The New Fannie Mae (Forbes)

Kenneth Rapoza writes that though it's still not clear what the full extent of losses from the London Whale fiasco will be, members of Congress have made it clear that they're ready to write JPMorgan a check big enough to give Ed McMahon pause.

Senators Suck Up to Jamie Dimon, Get Paid for It (The Nation)

George Zornick points out that it's no surprise to see a panel of senators treating Jamie Dimon like a much-loved boss when JPMorgan essentially has most of them on payroll, even contributing a decent middle class salary to several members.

$35 Million Is Chump Change -- If You're Sheldon Adelson (MoJo)

Dave Gilson attempts to put the personal wealth and political spending of the cycle's biggest donor, right-wing casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, in perspective, and winds up creating an infographic that looks like a sun orbited by several tiny moons.