Ezra Klein, a writer for the American Prospect, has an interesting post on uncompetitive and exploitative labor markets- a significant cause of inequality. Sadly, the best thing written on the blog today didn't come from me. Rather, it's a comment from Kathy G. arguing that labor markets don't look much like classical assumptions would suggest, and that the data -- and some emergent theory -- offers evidence that they're closer to a monopsony than the more traditional competitive-market-in-equilibrium model. Full comment below the fold: Anyone who thinks mandated leave would inevitably lead to a decrease in employment or wages most likely has not taken any econ beyond Econ 101. Because if you believe that such results would inevitably follow, you clearly are not familiar with the empirical research on paid leave, nor do you understand economic theory beyond a very superficial and incomplete level.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced recently that it planned to review eight Endangered Species Act (ESA) decisions ex-deputy assistant secretary Julie MacDonald influenced according to a BNA story (subscription) published yesterday. FWS has identified eight among hundreds its reviewed that MacDonald may have influenced for political considerations.

In a letter sent Friday, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) invited President Bush (R-$$) to a sit down to discuss the "relatively small differences" between spending legislation making its way through Congress and the president's request. Hoping to avoid a budget showdown, the Democratic leaders are seeking to meet Bush somewhere in between.

People who downplay inequality are like the cranks who don't believe in global warming. They find evidence on the margin that is supposed to cast doubt on the macrophenomenon. They bob and weave, admit this exists, but say we can't do anything about it, etc. etc. David Brooks is inequality's equivalent of the American Petroleum Institute. His column ($) today provides a fine example of the type of sophistry he peddles. Let's examine: First, pile on the studies that downplay inequality, so you seem like you know what you're talking about and overwhelm your audience. The first complicating fact is that after a lag, average wages are rising sharply. Real average wages rose by 2 percent in 2006, the second fastest rise in 30 years.