David Brooks in The New York Times on Republican individuality America has always been defined by "ferocious commercial energy," Brooks writes, leading to more work and more consumption. "[T]oday’s Republican Party unabashedly celebrates this ambition and definition of success." The problem is, while it's great for people with college skills, it leaves out a lot of the working class—and forgets how critical a nation's social fabric is.

Matt Miller in The Washington Post on why Romney's ideas don't matter Romney had a successful speech last night, affirming that presidential elections have nothing to do with policy. But the fact that he didn't say anything new doesn't matter. "They’re just the quibbles of columnists who look at the fine print, little buzzing mosquitos to be swatted aside while the campaign focuses on the tens of millions of people who got to draw emotional conclusions."

Daniel Kanstroom in The New York Times on who is getting deported The immigrant "Dreamers" who get the chance to apply for temporary work permits only paints half of the story of deportation. Many who have grown up in the U.S. have been deported for minor offenses and are barred from even visits to see family. "What purpose is served by permanently barring them from returning home, even for family visits?"

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach in The Wall Street Journal on Germany's circumcision police Last week, a rabbi was criminally charged in Germany for performing a circumcision. Germans should not wage a public battle with Jewish and Muslim parents. Plus, circumcising decreases health care costs. "We Jews must be doing something right in the bedroom given the fact that, alone among the ancient peoples of the world, we are still here, despite countless attempts to make us a historical footnote."

William Pesek in Bloomberg View on China's growing economic crisis China has run out of ways to stimulate the economy. In 2008, it was easy—pump money in with a stimulus project and growth followed. Now, things are harder. "China’s success gave markets the impression that its leaders could wave some magic wand and growth would be the result," Pesek writes. "Magic is in short supply now."

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Serena Dai