Commentary on the deep political problem with the Republican Party, the break up, why infrastructure spending in China could spur consumption, the cost of stupid immigration policy, and talking about dying.

Scary audience.

Financial Times -- Too trivial a debate for our times
H.L. Mencken, America’s patron saint of sarcastic one-liners, said “democracy is the theory that common people know what they want and deserve to get it good and hard”.

Why unthinkable?

Financial Times -- Thinking the unthinkable on a euro break-up
It has suddenly become respectable to ask the question: what would happen if the euro broke up?

From trains and bridges to stuff.

Financial Times -- China can help west build economic growth
Central to international efforts towards promoting strong and balanced growth is the need to generate demand, not only in developing countries but, more importantly, in developed countries.

Alabama shrinks without immigration.

New York Times – The Price of Intolerance
It’s early yet for a full accounting of the economic damage Alabama has done to itself with its radical new immigration law.

Life after death.

Globe and Mail -- Why are we afraid of talking about death?
This is a scenario Canadian doctors see too often: An elderly mother is dying in hospital, unable to clearly communicate; the family, in their grief, must make an emotional decision.

A Cartoon acceptanc