Links, 11-1-11

Rick Perry announced a flat tax of his own last week.  The NY Times titled their initial report: Perry Plan Would Grant Big Tax Break to Wealthiest.  The Wall Street Journal highlighted the appeal of the plan to conservatives.  And The Economist characterizes the response as "a flat reception"

David Brooks says there are two types of inequality -- blue inequality and red inequality -- and that we're focusing on the wrong one.

Last week, The Economist argues that student loans repayment should be based more on income . . . this week President Obama introduced a new plan to make student loans easier to repay for lower-income students.

Nate Silver says Herman Cain is an outlier because he performs well in polls but on no other measures.

Here's The Economist's reaction to the CBO report on income inequality.  Who's in the 1%?  Here's a  closer look.

Airlines keep trying different boarding policies, but boarding times have doubled over the past decade.  What gives?

Facing legal pressure, the state agreed to stop arresting "Occupy Nashville" protesters in Legislative Plaza.

How much does the slump in housing spending have to do with our current downturn?

Here's a cartoon depicting how many teachers feel about recent policy.

Could devices like this play a future role in obesity policy?

Why spending more doesn't make us healthier (part 1)

Is OWS changing the discourse on our current downturn?  Maybe.

Why do the countries with the most economic disparity have the worst health outcomes?