How Government Prolonged the Depression  —  Policies that decreased competition in product and labor markets were especially destructive.  —  The New Deal is widely perceived to have ended the Great Depression, and this has led many to support a “new” New Deal to address the current crisis.

Daschle Faces Questions From Senators on Tax Glitch  —  After a quarter-century in Congress, Thomas A. Daschle will return to Capitol Hill today in an unfamiliar role, summoned by former colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee to defend his reputation and his nomination to be secretary …

Bailouts for Bunglers  —  Question: what happens if you lose vast amounts of other people's money?  Answer: you get a big gift from the federal government — but the president says some very harsh things about you before forking over the cash.  —  Am I being unfair?  I hope so.

PETER HITCHENS: We show tolerance to ‘gays’ and get tyranny in return … If I never again had to read or write a word about homosexuals, I would be very happy.  I really don't want to know what other people do in their bedrooms.  But these days they really, really want us all to know.

Permanent vs. temporary increases in government spending, a Keynesian approach  —  Let's say government can spend $100 billion today or spend the present expected value of $100 billion, stretched out over time so it is a commitment in perpetuity.  Both spending programs are financed by bonds.

Democrats Set High Goal Of Sweeping Fiscal Reform  —  As Senate Opens Stimulus Debate, Sacrifices Become More Urgent  —  It's the holy grail of Washington politics: a federal budget that generates ample funds through a simpler and fairer tax code, defuses the spending time bomb for health …

Gillibrand Hints at a Change of Mind on Immigration  —  Kirsten E. Gillibrand, New York's new senator, suggested to Latino elected officials on Sunday that she would take the lead on some immigration issues — and perhaps quickly drop some positions that they considered objectionable.

Rahm Emanuel may want to reclaim House seat some day, contender says  —  By Abdon M. Pallasch  —  CHICAGO—Yes, President Obama's Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel did express an interest in running for his congressional seat again someday, a candidate for his seat said Sunday.

CITI'S SKY-HIGH ARROGANCE  —  COMPANY JET FOR MOGUL'S LUXE HOLIDAY  —  By BRAD HAMILTON and ANGEL CHEVRESTT in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, and LUKAS I. ALPERT and CHUCK BENNETT in New York  —  Just weeks after Citigroup averted total collapse with a $45 billion shot in the arm of taxpayer cash …

'You're now a part of some sobering moments'  —  Following is the complete transcript of PresidentBarack Obama's discussion with Matt Lauer, anchor of NBC's TODAY show:  —  MATT LAUER: We're here in the Map Room at the White House with the 44th president of the United States, President Obama.

As Obama Talks Of Bipartisanship, Definitions Vary  —  After a week of legislative successes for President Obama, Republicans seized on one asterisk: his inability to line up support from their ranks.  As he heads into his second full week in office, members of both parties are waiting …

Out of Gaps In Treaties, First Salvos Of Trade War  —  The world may be on the brink of a gentler kind of trade war.  —  In 1930, Congress fired the first shot in a protectionist battle that prolonged and deepened the Great Depression.  After passing a bill aimed at saving American jobs …