Planet Money : NPR
"How the invention of the government bond saved a bunch of mid-level politicians from certain death and became one of the most important pieces of financial technology the world has ever seen."
Government
Gun safety courses will be mandatory for some Iowa middle school students | Fox News
"Two Iowa middle schools to begin gun safety classes."
He Disparaged the Police on Facebook. So They Arrested Him.
America’s highest court needs term limits
"A more workable change would be to appoint justices for single 18-year terms—staggered, so that each president gets two appointments per term—rather than for life. Each presidential term would thus leave an equal mark on the court, and no single justice would remain on the bench for 30 or 40 years. New blood would make the court more vital and dynamic. A poll taken in July showed widespread bipartisan support for term limits. So long as former justices were prevented from standing for office, becoming lobbyists or lawyers after stepping down from the court, this would be an improvement."
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s health and the case for Supreme Court term limits
"The core problem here is the stakes of Supreme Court nominations: They’re too damn high. Candidates serve for life — which, given modern longevity and youthful nominees, can now mean 40 years of decisions — and no one knows when the next seat will open. President Jimmy Carter served four years and saw no open seats. President George H.W. Bush served four years and filled two. Barack Obama served two terms and confirmed two justices. Donald Trump isn’t even two years into his presidency and, thanks to McConnell’s assist with Merrick Garland, he’s already filled the same number of vacancies as Obama did in eight. The result isn’t merely an undemocratic branch of government but a randomly undemocratic branch of government. And that randomness, and the stakes of seeing it play out in your side’s favor, turn Supreme Court nominations into bloodsport."
Trump Tariffs Hurt Steel and Aluminum Users and Consumers | National Review
"Tariffs are really tax hikes."
NORAD to track Santa and USPS to deliver packages despite partial shutdown
"North American Aerospace Defense Command tweeted that it was prepared to track Santa's flight across the globe as it had done for more than six decades."