Happy Friday. This morning — Bernanke’s been confirmed. Now what? The debate over whether Treasuries should be included in the Wall Street tax. And why comedians aren’t getting many corporate gigs anymore…
Bernanke’s job is simple: Inspire confidence (Washington Post)
March of the Peacocks (Paul Krugman/NYT)
So we’re paralyzed in the face of mass unemployment and out-of-control health care costs. Don’t blame Mr. Obama. There’s only so much one man can do, even if he sits in the White House. Blame our political culture instead, a culture that rewards hypocrisy and irresponsibility rather than serious efforts to solve America’s problems. And blame the filibuster, under which 41 senators can make the country ungovernable, if they choose — and they have so chosen.
I’m sorry to say this, but the state of the union — not the speech, but the thing itself — isn’t looking very good.
Government bonds may be exempt from the bank tax (Reuters)
Don’t exclude government bonds from the bank tax (Felix Salmon)
Debt collector: Tough job but someone’s got to do it (NPR)
Fewer comedians getting corporate gigs (Marketplace Morning Report)
Comedian Chipper Lowell knows this well.
CHIPPER LOWELL: In this day and age, you never talk about hiring, firing, where I could in the past. I could make jokes about replacing the president of a company and things like that; that is all taboo right now.
PETERS: What happens if you do?
LOWELL: Oh, just don’t. You want the next gig.
Stories You Might Like
There’s a lot happening in the world. Through it all, Marketplace is here for you.
You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible.
Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.
