• Analyzing Okun’s rule about the relationship between output gaps, the unemployment rate, and real wages.
• Considering why protecting Social Security is so important, and delving into the important relationship between Social Security, private pensions, and retirement preparedness.
• Highlighting an underappreciated difference between our economy and those of other advanced economies:  we consume a considerably larger share of our output than they do.  Are there implications here for inequality and growth?
• Arguing that corporate tax reform should be revenue positive (not revenue neutral).
• Pointing to a PBS NewsHour discussion on Jack Lew, plus some thoughts on unemployment and stimulus that didn’t make the segment.
• Explaining the self-fulfilling prophecy of dysfunction as relates to the debt ceiling debacle.

Musical Interlude:  featuring a Mozart piano quartet for a rare Thursday interlude.