When it comes to protecting the food supply, states leave it to Washington. Maybe they shouldn't.

Here's a challenge: Name a White House director of intergovernmental affairs who has ever been a major player in federal policy. If you are stumped, you are in good company. Nominally the liaison between the president and state and local governments, he or she has tended to serve as a glorified social secretary--an aide who leads cheers for the president's programs and handles the protocol when the chief executive gets together with the relevant officials outside Washington, D.C.

The 20th century produced a pantheon of brilliant urban thinkers and planners. Some built, some mostly wrote, some did both. Some did better than others at translating their ideas into reality. But one way or another, we are living with the consequences of their vision:

Affiliated with, sponsored by, partnered with ...

They're phrases used by the not-for-profit government associations when they talk about deals they have cut with for-profit companies, usually to provide goods and services to members. Mayors, county executives and other members of national membership organizations may wonder how their associations decide to make agreements with particular technology vendors and e-government companies, why they do it, and how those deals benefit the associations and their members.

The Dow's decline is racking up pension fund losses, but money managers aren't panicking--yet.