Tuesday summary: Ryan announces his budget plan; Bartlett on Wanniski's continued influence; O'Grady on the Misery Index.

From The WSJ, US Rep. Paul Ryan (WI) rolls out his budget and tax plan.

At The Washington Post, Chris Cillizza suggests the Ryan budget is bad politics for the GOP.

In The WSJ, Stephen Moore calls the Ryan plan a gamble:

What is sure to be controversial in the plan are the cuts to sensitive entitlement programs. This budget saves on Medicare through "premium supports," which allow seniors to go out and purchase health insurance in the market, or stick with traditional Medicare, but at a lesser price. This is the plan co-authored by Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Mr. Ryan. The House plan would also block grant all federal welfare entitlements to the states. And one of the biggest savings comes from repealing ObamaCare spending and mandates.

In The NYT, Bruce Bartlett recounts (ruefully) Jude Wanniski’s continued influence on Republican fiscal policy.

At The WSJ, Mary Anastasia O’Grady suggests the President may be damaged by the Misery Index.

On Forbes, Ralph Benko applauds the coalition pushing the National Debt Relief Amendment, to require a majority of states to endorse federal debt limit increases:

From TGSN, Benko highlights the debt bomb pending when interest rates rise.

On The Kudlow Report, Sen. Jim DeMint (SC) discusses Republican efforts to help small business:



From Alhambra Partners, Joe Calhoun analyzes Greg Smith’s Goldman Sachs critique.

On his blog, Scott Grannis suggests companies still have lots of cash on hand.

At The Daily Beast, Zachary Karabell defends China’s trade practices.

Lewis on growth and reform; Brenner on a lost decade; Kudlow on malaise.

From Forbes, Nathan Lewis suggests ideas for spurring economic growth and reforming government.

On Forbes, Reuven Brenner explains how to avoid a lost decade.

Cato’s Dan Mitchell warns Republicans not to cave on tax rates.

On The Kudlow Report, Larry Kudlow discusses the ongoing slow-growth malaise:




At Wall Street Pit, William Anderson quotes Paul Krugman saying, in 2004, that 70 percent tax rates were insane.

On Fiscal Times, Bruce Bartlett challenges Tim Pawlenty’s claim that tax cuts pay for themselves.

At Seeking Alpha, Tom Lindmark says Bartlett’s article is a mishmash which conflates numbers to prove a point.

On his website, Robert Reich responds to Republican tax cuts claims.

At a progressive conclave, the White House communications director gets lambasted over unemployment:




At Caffeinated Thoughts, Ralph Benko expands his discussion of money quality versus quantity.

From last week at Lew Rockwell, Bob Murphy defends the gold standard.

At IBTimes (UK), Gabriel Mueller suggests the world may be returning to a gold standard.

On COAL, Krugman criticizes the Obama Administration for giving up on Keynesian stimulus.

In The Washington Post, Chris Cillizza notes Tim Pawlenty getting tougher on Mitt Romney after last week’s low key debate performance.