I had 1,000 items to go through in Google Reader this morning for these links. Please click every single one of them. You won’t regret it.

As usual, send us any social news, event suggestions, or required readings to tips@americasfuture.org.

BLOGS

According to The American Scene, the government should subsidize and not tax smokers, because we cost less to the government. We die sooner.

Andrew Sullivan (sorta) jumps on the birther train, and The League of Ordinary Gentlemen criticizes him for it. Conor thinks there has to be a limit on the crazy, for privacy reasons. He doesn’t want to see a naked picture to prove that Obama’s not a woman, for example. But even National Review says the birthers are stupid.

Will Wilkinson asks whether income Inequality still matters.

National Review thinks the administration is making a habit of caving to jihad.

Good news: you can drink, smoke, womanize and still live until you’re 90.

This is the video you have to see about the health care debate. I’m rather proud that Paul Ryan is from Wisconsin, my home state. The goodness kicks off around 3:28. (The Corner has commentary on the video here.)

Megan McArdle interviews Paul Campos, author of The Obesity Myth, about … well, guess.

(Hilarious) headlines from the future (post-Obamacare).

Steve Chapman argues in Reason Magazine that states could and should have foreseen their budget messes.

What is a “blue dog,” really?

New Reason.tv episode, on California’s budget crisis with gubernatorial candidate Tom Campbell.

Hm. It seems the stimulus could have actually created jobs if stimulus money was spent on defense. But, wait, defense is what we’re cutting now, right?

AFF ONLINE

David Frum’s excellent “Quit Whining!” series is collected here.

Jonathan Strong – What change did America vote for?

Jacob Grier offers up some summer cocktail suggestions.

Elizabeth Nolan-Brown reviews The Dumbest Generation for AARP Magazine.

EVENTS

Young Conservatives Coalition is having a Happy Hour, the YCC Draft Night, tonight at the Elephant & Castle (19th and I St NW) from 5:30 – 8 p.m. Enjoy a collaborative happy hour for all conservative groups and their members and help create a massive right of center happy hour.

YOUR DREAM JOB

There are 4 new job posting from The Independent Institute in Oakland, CA on the AFF Job Thread.