Republican Steele's Afghanistan Remarks Praised by Ron Paul  —  Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, whose remarks suggesting the U.S. will lose the war in Afghanistan have prompted some Republicans to demand his resignation, won praise from Representative Ron Paul.

Oil Companies Reap Billions From Subsidies  —  When the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform set off the worst oil spill at sea in American history, it was flying the flag of the Marshall Islands.  Registering there allowed the rig's owner to significantly reduce its American taxes.

By: Glenn Harlan Reynolds: SCOTUS ruling shows how far gun rights have come  —  Topping last week's legal stories was the Supreme Court's decision in McDonald v. Chicago, holding that the Second Amendment — which the Supreme Court just two years ago interpreted to protect an individual right to own a gun …

The Trouble With Deflation  —  Daniel Gross says maybe a little deflation wouldn't be so bad: … I have two objections to this.  One is that while three percent growth would be a fine amount of growth for a developed economy under most conditions, a developed economy pulling out of a recession …

Dems' message: All about the gaffes  —  The dust-up this week between President Barack Obama and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), ostensibly about Wall Street regulation, revealed more about the two parties' midterm campaign strategies than anything else.

Happy 4th  —  The Dish is actually going to take a brief breather this holiday weekend.  But one small program note on this day, given the media debates of the last few weeks.  —  I believe the blogosphere first truly gained traction in America for a good reason.

Can These Men Fix the Deficit?  —  Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has said that the federal deficit is on an “unsustainable path.”  Erskine Bowles, former White House chief of staff under President Clinton, and Alan Simpson, former Republican Senate whip, are co-chairs …

Republicans on energy: More pro-business than pro-market  —  Ethanol subsidies, oil drilling incentives, government insurance and loan guarantees for nuclear energy, natural gas subsidies: These proposals tend to have as many or more Republican advocates as Democratic advocates.

Dems in a jam as economy slows  —  President Barack Obama and the Democrats head into the summer campaign season with the economy slowing, unemployment flirting with double-digits - and few options for a quick fix.  —  Obama's economic stimulus plan is winding down, right when Democrats need it most.

Petraeus Takes Command of Afghan Mission  —  KABUL, Afghanistan — Gen. David H. Petraeus took command of the troubled Afghan war Sunday, warning of hard days to come but promising to persevere until the government and army here are strong enough to stand on their own.