It would seem that the imputation of a crime by a person or entity knowing of its falsity is libel per se or actionable slander. The action is malicious because the actor knows the allegation is false.

Comment about social mobility is interesting, but I fear it is itself too simplistic. Much has changed in the US society since the adoption of Social Security and Medicare. The taxes associated with these schemes have contributed greatly to the lack of social mobility. In fact taxes on income and wage have caused not only lack of social mobility but lower GDP growth for the last 70 years. The way to fix both lower growth and lack of social mobility is by altering the tax system. The US should adopt a progressive retail consumption tax in lieu of the current abomination. Imagine if our kids received all of their income tax free and purchased only used items until their income rose. They could afford a used home and savings for their...

Ryan is correct on this one. The only amount that is added to the deficit is the cave on unemployment benefits. Additionally, it buys time until the new Congress can convene next year. Given an imperfect world and a bad economy, this is perhaps a reasonable compromise. To those like DeMint who say they want more - I say - yeah in a perfect world, but it's NOT.

Economists know that a consumption tax is better than an income tax and that any tax on capital is just plain nuts. Changing the system to a consumption tax would cause GDP to grow by 10% in the first year it was enacted. But, here we are in the 21st century and we cannot even get a correct discussion on this topic. Instead, there is talk about a flat income tax. It's time to modernize the tax system - that means a consumption tax at the point of sale. I don't understand why the author does not even mention or consider this.

I'm glad you're not running for governor. Increasing property taxes is a really bad idea. As the appointed tax commission indicated, the entire tax system in CA needs to change. It must move towards a sales tax and away from a progressive income tax. Otherwise, it will be the same roller coaster ride. Also, really large changes need to be made - like privatizing the entire education system in the state. That would save $20 Billion.

You are soooo right. Good comment. It is absolutely time to clean house Dems and Repubs included.

"NRSC Now Supporting O'Donnell" good, maybe NRSC will come to its senses. Time for Rove to put a rag in it. I applaud Hannity for going against Rove.

Good blog, but it's not just Obama. Literally, every Congress and Administration since 1937 has believed in redistribution of wealth. The seminal act that embodies restribution was the Social Security Act, which every Congress and Administration supported.

It's great to write about the evils of wealth redistribution, but to be honest and consistent about it, one must admit that Social Security and Medicare must go.

These programs must be phased out in favor of private retirement systems and private medical insurance systems.

Otherwise, the unfunded liabilities of these programs will take down the U.S.

Yeah, this well-reasoned approach will convince everyone what justice is.

Yes, one issue is the moral status of a human embryo. But, you must make a dictinction between a human embryo in a womb and one in the freezer. That distinction may become the deciding factor. The one in the womb may be entitled to greater protection than one in the freezer, unless it was removed from the womb. If it found its way into the freezer via in vitro fertilization, it might be entitled to less protection.