Drawing moral lines in our rough-and-tumble capitalist system can be hard. But it should not tax too many ethical muscles to set aside some protections for trusting, unsophisticated borrowers of modest means. That is, unless you’re a politician working on behalf of predatory lenders. And it’s amazing how many politicians do, making the recent successes […]

Many conservatives want farm bills to stop coupling food stamps to agricultural subsidies. They see the linkage as an unsavory deal between urban Democrats and rural Republicans to waste the people’s money. But not all conservatives are principled conservatives. Principled conservatives oppose the farm subsidies as a monstrous example of corporate welfare. The other kind […]

Jofi Joseph was a smart guy — up to a point. He rose smoothly through the foreign affairs establishment, boosted by a fancy fellowship and political connections. He ended up a staff member on the National Security Council. But he led a second life on Twitter, using the handle @NatSecWonk to post snide comments about […]

Dracula sets the bar high for timeless style. His refined silhouette and eclectic tastes make him an internationally recognizable figure. Fashion writers shifting and swerving through constant change still freeze in the vampire’s presence. Some cultural figures, like Audrey, like Cary, like Jackie, create a signature look defying the march of trends. Dracula is one […]

Ever notice how some government programs draw the ire of almost everyone? Conservatives, liberals, environmentalists, libertarians, business, labor, consumers and grouchy taxpayers are all opposed. Yet these programs go on as though directed by an unstoppable particle beam from a neighboring galaxy. The public rarely sees who in Washington keeps the outrage in motion, and […]

I never cared much for the tarted-up Burberry. The upscale British clothier sells its wares at prices for which one might reasonably demand a classic style lasting through several monarchies. But that’s just me talking. Burberry is said to have turned its traditionalist label around thanks to fashion innovation. So that’s just me talking. Apple […]

Note how tea party politicians routinely start their remarks with “The American people want.” And what “the American people want” conveniently coincides with their ideological preferences. It would seem that the American people — meaning a massive majority — don’t want this government shutdown. So scrambling Republicans have come up with “modest” and “common-sense” proposals […]