John Boehner: Voters Need Not Love Mitt Romney  —  By now, Republican laments that presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney is not the most inspiring figure to ever run for president are well-known.  —  “The Republican bench had several candidates stronger than Romney, but they chose not to run …

The tax man cometh to police you on health care  —  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court's decision to uphold most of President Barack Obama's health care law will come home to roost for most taxpayers in about 2 1/2 years, when they'll have to start providing proof on their tax returns that they have health insurance.

Rep. Barney Frank Marries Longtime Partner In Newton  —  NEWTON (CBS) - Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank tied the knot with his longtime partner Jim Ready on Saturday.  —  The 72-year-old congressman tried to keep the details of the private ceremony under wraps, but managed to drop enough clues to tip off the media.

The New Obama Typeface: Revolution Gothic  —  A source points out that President Barack Obama's new typeface is Revolution Gothic, a style inspired by retro Cuban propaganda posters.  Who vets the fonts?  (Obama press secretary Ben LaBolt emails: “Your GOP operative should have had the courtesy …

ABOUT ME … I am a professor of economics at Harvard University, where I teach introductory economics (ec 10) among other courses.  I use this blog to keep in touch with my current and former students.  Teachers and students at other schools, as well as others interested in economic issues, are welcome to use this resource.

Legislature approves high-speed rail spending  —  Photo: Anonymous, ASSOCIATED PRESS / SF  —  Sacramento —  A divided state Senate approved billions of dollars in funding to start construction on California's ambitious high-speed rail line Friday, handing the controversial project $7.9 billion …

TPM2012  —  In Pa., Voter ID Law Already Changing The Electoral Landscape  —  PITTSBURGH — Hundreds of thousands of potential voters here were left scrambling in the wake of Pennsylvania's voter ID law — enough to prompt speculation as to whether the law could change the outcome of the election in November.

Taliban publicly execute woman near Kabul: officials  —  (Reuters) - A man Afghan officials say is a member of the Taliban shot dead a woman accused of adultery in front of a crowd near Kabul, a video obtained by Reuters showed, a sign that the austere Islamist group dictates law even near the Afghan capital.

American Twilight  —  This weekend, I am thousands of miles from home in a remote and isolated part of the world with erratic communications and lack of basic services.  No, not Washington, D.C. Things aren't that primitive, thank God.  I'm in a rude Highland croft way up a far Scottish brae …

Google wants the world to “Legalize Love”  —  Google is launching a new campaign called “Legalize Love” with the intention of inspiring countries to legalize marriage for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people around the world.  —  The “Legalize Love” campaign officially launches in Poland and Singapore on Saturday, July 7th.

Thieves steal $230K in hair extensions from SE Side store … Thieves broke through a wall overnight and made off with $230,000 in hair extensions from a Southeast Side beauty supply store, police and the store owner said.  —  35th Street Beauty Supply, 260 E. 35th St., was bustling Saturday afternoon …

Hillary Clinton declares Afghanistan a ‘major non-Nato ally’ of US  —  Declaration on eve of donor conference allows for streamlined military co-operation including access to weapons and training  —  The US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, has declared Afghanistan a “major non-Nato ally” …