Link dump

• Lobbyists are happy about the Senate extending and expanding the eligibility of a tax credit for home buyers. This will help push up home prices, which is bad if you're poor but good if you already own a home. It's also bad for the environment.

• Steven Landsburg says you need to think again if you believe our standard of living hasn't improved over the last 20 years.

• Republicans still aren't serious about earmark reform.

• More fuzzy math on the stimulus job numbers here and here. And here are some bizarre examples of where that stimulus money is heading.

• NY-23 winner Bill Owens has already broken a campaign promise will now vote for health care legislation in the House. If the Democratic agenda is so popular, why did he try to hide his true colors?

• Friday's Washington Post documents widespread government failure. More failure detailed here. Why should anyone believe the answer to almost anything is more government?

• The U.S. is the preferred destination of people that would like to emigrate.

• The impact of government regulation on New York City taxi cabs.

• Keith Hennessey on the inherited deficits fallacy.