Supercommittee Republicans offered a plan to eliminate tax preferences and reduce tax rates, as in the 1986 bipartisan tax reform. They argued that high tax rates would squelch economic growth.  They didn't make the case that their proposals would also address income inequality. But Paul Ryan, in a paper based largely on a CBO analysis of income trends between 1979 and 2007, has done so.

But the mere existence of income inequality tells us little about what, if anything, should be done about it.

Ezekiel Emanuel reminded New York Times readers last week of something health economists have known for eight decades. Health expenditures are highly concentrated, with just 10 percent of the population accounting for nearly two-thirds of annual health spending.

While the United States consumes a disproportionate share of global resources devoted to medical care, this global share is shrinking.

Free enterprise is a declaration of what Americans truly value, as people know intuitively that it allows them to earn their success, and in turn to achieve the greatest levels of happiness.

The rich are getting richer faster than the poor are getting richer. So what?

Are stereotypes about Republicans and Democrats really accurate?

We should reduce Social Security benefits for middle- and high-income earners to encourage more working and saving—and free up the government to focus on the daunting challenges of Medicare and Medicaid.