Wednesday summary: Domitrovic on the Gold Commission; Romney discusses the flat tax and gold standard; Pethokoukis on tax fairness.

From Forbes, Brian Domitrovic provides the history behind Newt Gingrich’s Gold Commission.

The WSJ uses Mitt Romney’s tax return to argue for fundamental tax reform.

On NRO, Larry Kudlow reports Romney believes the President’s class warfare strategy is designed with him (Romney) in mind.

From Forbes, Steve Forbes advises Mitt Romney to come out with a strong pro-growth, pro-capitalism message.

On The Kudlow Report, Romney critiques Gingrich’s flat tax plan and suggests, oddly, that Congress could manipulate the dollar’s exchange rate under the gold standard:



At The American, James Pethokoukis responds to the President on tax fairness.

From PJ Media, David Goldman argues the true unemployment rate, about 1 in 4, guarantees a single term for President Obama.

At RCM, John Tamny suggests hedge fund success implies stock market weakness.

On Peter Schiff’s radio show, Steve Forbes critiques Romney on the China currency debate:




IBD explains Dodd-Frank’s highly negative effect on small and community banks.

CNSNews notes commodity price increases under President Obama.

At Barron’s, Pimco’s Bill Gross suggests the economy is pulled between deflationary and inflationary forces:




From The Hoover Institution, Richard Epstein critiques Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren’s economic proposals.

The NYT highlights the President’s tough talk on China.

Thursday items: Sirico on the Vatican's economic statement; Woodhil and Moore on competing tax proposals; O'Grady and Epstein on inequality.

From The WSJ, Fr. Robert Sirico explains the Vatican’s recent linking of the current economic crisis to Bretton Woods’ breakdown.

At Forbes, Louis Woodhill compares the tax plans of Cain, Perry and Romney.

In The WSJ, Stephen Moore wonders if Gov. Romney will introduce his own tax reform plan.

On The WSJ, Mary Anastasia O’Grady rebuts wealth inequality arguments:



From Alhambra Partners, John L. Chapman highlights the work of Art Laffer and the new Laffer Center.

At RCM, John Tamny exposes GDP’s flaws.

In Forbes, Rich Danker reviews Lew Lehrman’s gold standard transition plan.

On NRO, Larry Kudlow analyzes the European debt deal.

The WSJ worries about the World Bank’s new “Doing Business” report:

In 2007, the U.S. ranked third in the "ease of starting a business" category. This year it ranks 13th. On the "paying taxes" front we've dropped to 72nd place from 63rd. The cost of starting a business, measured as a percentage of per capita income, has doubled to 1.4% from 0.7% in 2007. On "ease of registering property" the U.S. has dropped to 16th from tenth. In the "trading across borders" category, we've dropped nine spots to 20th. In 2007, the "cost to import," as measured in dollars per container, was $625. Today it's more than doubled to $1,315.

PBS features Richard Epstein discussing inequality, tax rates, and transfer payments (h/t: Randy Barnett):



From Bloomberg, Amity Shlaes argues a capital gains tax cut would spur jobs.

Steve Forbes suggests Occupy Wall Street focus its anger on the Fed.

Wednesday round up: Tamny and The Sun on gold; Kudlow is pessimistic on a budget deal; Wesbury on the end of QE2.

On RCM, John Tamny notes that $1,500 gold signals a major problem.

The NY Sun urges the President to address the falling dollar.

At NRO, Larry Kudlow suggests Treasury Sec. Tim Geithner is overly optimistic about a budget deal.

On The Kudlow Report, Brian Westbury discusses the end of QE2:




From Bloomberg, Amity Schlaes notes that lower tax rates often boost government revenues.

From Hoover, Richard Epstein argues against income redistribution.

Smart Money Europe explains that the euro is strong because the dollar is weak.

The WSJ reports Vladimir Putin calling U.S. monetary policy “hooliganism.”

“Look at their trade balance, their debt, and budget. They turn on the printing press and flood the entire dollar zone — in other words, the whole world — with government bonds. There is no way we will act this way anytime soon. We don’t have the luxury of such hooliganism,” he said.

Even as Putin blamed the U.S. for printing money — something for which Russia was criticized during periods of hyperinflation in the 1990s — other Russian officials said there is no alternative to the U.S. dollar and declined to discuss cutting the country’s dollar holdings.

On TGSN, Daniel Ryan suggests the gold standard empowers the people.

At the Atlanta Federal Reserve’s Macroblog, Dave Altig cites this Robert Mundell paper to suggest Mundell is not a critic of Keynesianism (h/t: COAL).

On COAL, Paul Krugman challenges the notion that inflation is expansion of money and credit.

Think Progress reports U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (WI) got booed at a constituent meeting for opposing raising tax rates on the wealthy to address the deficit.

Tuesday round up.

At RCM, John Tamny explains that GDP is an unreliable indicator.

Brian Wesbury and Robert Stein compare President Obama's policies to President Reagan's.

On the Kudlow Report, David Goldman and Don Luskin discuss recovery from the credit bubble:

At Alhambra Investments, Joseph Y. Calhoun, III argues the Fed can't fix the economy.

IBD editorializes against increased Fed intervention.

Also on Kudlow, Steve Forbes analyzes the GOP's agenda:

In Forbes, Richard A. Epstein advocates tax rate cuts and lower regulation.

At the Frum Forum, Eli Lehrer suggests selling the U.S. gold stock.