Sunday Best: Could a $1 trillion coin be the answer to impending economic doom?

The clock is ticking.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story October 10, 2021 Thanks to Mitch McConnell's ever so gracious last-minute intervention last week, Congress now has two more months until it runs up against the new deadline to fund the government. Is there a way to avoid yet another crisis? Possibly. Mike Lofgren, a former congressional staff member, says that invoking the 14th Amendment, while an imperfect solution, could prevent Republicans from sabotage. Columnist Paul Krugman offers another suggestion: Democrats could bypass the congressional squabbling altogether with the minting of a $1 trillion coin that would provide them with the funds they need even if Republicans don't budge. That may sound gimmicky but, Paul says, that's not necessarily a bad thing: "Gimmickry in the defense of sanity — and, in an important sense, democracy — is no vice." Still, Peter Coy argues there are "profound implications" to such a measure, which, beyond the novelty of the intervention, may explain reservations about the approach. And if the government can't avoid economic collapse with a $1 trillion coin — or any other method — there will be consequences, Spencer Bokat-Lindell writes: "In the United States alone, six million jobs and $15 trillion in wealth could be wiped out." — Jennifer Brown Cristina Daura Ezra Klein David Shor Is Telling Democrats What They Don't Want to Hear His forecasting model shows a looming disaster for Senate Democrats. Are they going to do anything about it? By Ezra Klein When It Costs $53,000 to Vote Outstanding fines prevent too many Floridians from voting. By Damon Winter and Jesse Wegman Evan M. Cohen Guest Essay 'You're Dying,' I Told My Patient. I Wish I Hadn't. Why a patient in denial is such a challenge for doctors. By Daniela J. Lamas Hudson Christie Farah Stockman What Killed the Blue-Collar Struggle for Social Justice For Americans without college degrees, the labor movement, the civil rights movement and the women's liberation movement boiled down to jobs. By Farah Stockman Mark Makela for The New York Times Guest Essay To Combat Gun Violence, Clean Up the Neighborhood Gun violence interventions often focus on high-risk people. To achieve meaningful change, policy makers should focus on high-risk places, too.  By Eugenia C. South Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT EDITOR'S PODCAST PICK Vida Alves McConaughey Is Texas Ready for Matthew McConaughey? Kara Swisher asks the self-described "statesman-philosopher, folk-singing poet" about his potential political plans and where he stands on the issues. By 'Sway' Subscribe Today New York Times Opinion curates a wide range of views, inviting rich discussion and debate that helps readers analyze the world. This work is made possible with the support of subscribers. Please consider subscribing to The Times with this special offer. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Sunday Best from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018