Wage subsidies and unemployment insurance are attractive policy options, but the ultimate goal must be to increase the size of the skilled workforce relative to unskilled workers. As Mr Krugman states, "[H]ighly educated workers in the United States benefit from higher wages and expanded job opportunities because of trade." Investing in policies to enlarge the proportion of highly educated workers in America must become a high priority.

Finally, this discussion needs to include several important international issues. Imports from China and Mexico are more damaging to unskilled Americans because their producers are so poor, but because their producers are so poor, it is vital that we do not deny them the opportunity to develop their economies. Just as importantly, we should recognise that these development dynamics will not persist indefinitely.

Oh, Joy: Britney Has Sex in Public. Again...

They were making weird noises. It was disgusting". Ta-da! Big drum roll, please... Britney had sex with her paparazzi boyfriend in a dressing room? Yes, I'm sure that must have been such a sight... "I couldn't understand a word she was saying. She was slurring and spitting, and talking with a British accent" stated the salesgirl. "Her face was covered with cold sores and acne, and her scalp was patchy. I wanted to help her, but she was so mean that I left her alone. Then she muttered, 'F**k you!' and left the store". I really think that doesn't need any more comments. It's just too classy for words... .

Flavors of Italy/Coral Springs

The divinely tender snails are as good as they get, and that focaccia takes on new meaning when dipped into the remaining scrumptious garlic butter.

Kudos to Barisone's Caesar salad presentation -- as refreshing as the bracing dressing. For $7, long lengths of artfully arranged romaine hearts are drizzled with an attention-getting creamy dressing robust with anchovies. Even passing up the house salad ($7), is hard to do, especially when the mysterious description says "house specialty -- trust us." I did. I hate to spoil the surprise, but it's a shareable portion of romaine, radicchio, Belgian endive, blue cheese, olives and assorted vegetables, with balsamic vinaigrette.

Pastas, served in Paul Bunyan-size bowls, include the basic yet flavorful goodness of linguine alla Guido -- garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, anchovy paste, crushed red pepper, sun-dried tomatoes and broccoli rabe, $19.

Ghosts, legends, defunct companies

Welcome, readers, to our first ever Halloween-flavored installment of Ask the Readers.

Q: Does anyone know anything about the possible haunting of Valentine House, halfway between Rocky Mount and Ferrum? There was only a pile of bricks there where the house used to stand when I was a kid in the '60s.

The Leonard Lopate Show

We say goodbye to 2007 with a look at the past year's most overrated movies....then welcome in 2008 with some predictions for the world in the year ahead. Also: a journalist explains why she thinks the risks of fatal food allergies have been greatly exaggerated. And find out how political narratives are created for the candidates.

Be sure to check out our new film series Political Projections! We're asking you to watch a few movies about campaigns, and then tune in on Jan. 8 to contribute to the discussion.