The ominous demographics of this aging nation have long been seen by Japanese as a distant concern, not a present-day one. But that mind-set is being called into question by a prime minister who says that a crisis requiring immediate sacrifices has already begun. Read full article > >

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As Japan strains to care for elderly, sacrifices begin

In his most recent New York Times column , Greg Mankiw argued that competition among states helps keep taxes low: “If people feel that their taxes exceed the value of their public services, they can go elsewhere. They can, as economists put it, vote with their feet.” Read full article > >

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Do voters really flee high-tax states?

In his most recent New York Times column , Greg Mankiw argued that competition among states helps keep taxes low: “If people feel that their taxes exceed the value of their public services, they can go elsewhere. They can, as economists put it, vote with their feet.” Read full article > >

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Do voters really flee high-tax states?

A package of tax increases on high-income earners and a measure to build a full-fledged casino in Prince George’s County collapsed in stunning fashion late Monday in the Maryland General Assembly . The failure to bring the tax bill to a vote all but assured that for the first time in two decades work related to Maryland’s annual spending plan would continue beyond Monday’s scheduled end to the legislature’s 90-day session. Read full article > >

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Officials in Md. fail to vote on tax, casino bills

A key panel of Japan’s ruling party agrees to postpone a planned sales tax increase amid rising opposition to the move.

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Japan delays sales tax increase

House Republicans, on the eve of Tuesday’s vote denying tax relief to 160 million Americans, huddled in a conference room in the Capitol basement for more than two hours. Were they puzzling over how to explain to constituents why they were effectively ordering a tax increase on the middle class after fighting for much larger tax breaks for the wealthy? Were they justifying the killing of a bipartisan compromise that had the support of all but eight Senate Republicans and the tacit approval of House Speaker John Boehner? Read full article > >

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Braveheart Republicans? Or false-hearted?

The Senate agreed Saturday to extend the payroll tax cut for two months, in a deal that would avert a New Year’s tax increase for millions of workers. The agreement, approved in an 89-to-10 vote, also would require the administration to decide quickly whether to allow construction of a controversial transcontinental oil pipeline. Read full article > >

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Senate votes to extend payroll tax cut, keep government open

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain acknowledged Sunday that some Americans would see a tax increase under his “9-9-9” plan, but insisted that “most people will pay less” under his proposal to overhaul of the country’s tax code. Surging in national polls, the pizza magnate who casts himself as an outsider found himself on the defensive over his tax plan during a 25-minute appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Read full article > >

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Cain defends ‘9-9-9’ tax overhaul plan

The only groups likely to face a tax increase are the poorest.

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Tax Package Will Aid Nearly All, With the Highest Earners Benefiting Most

President Obama and congressional Republicans expressed determination Tuesday to reach an agreement on the tax cuts due to expire at year’s end, raising the possibility of a compromise that could avert a tax increase for virtually every American worker.

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After meeting, hope for a deal on tax cuts