Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, is generally regaled in the American media for his serious approach to economics, including calls for reforms to Social Security and Medicare in the name of balanced budgets in the future.  But The Economist, a prominent voice in the international media, is questioning if Ryan deserves his reputation. The magazine rips Ryan for failing to support the so-called Simpson-Bowles Congressional plan to reduce long-term deficits by cutting spending and raising taxes. It also questions if Ryan is now driven more by partisanship than intellectual purity. The magazine …

Rep. Paul Ryan took over the House of Representatives' budget-writing committee this week. It makes Ryan one of the most powerful politicians in the country and puts him in position to push spending cuts he says will help the federal government's long-term budget picture. Here's Ryan in the news over the last week:  Young GunThe 40-year-old Ryan, known as a "Young Gun" in the Republican party, suddenly finds himself something of an old man. At least three representatives who are 34 or younger took office this week. But Ryan is still remarkably young for the powerful position he assumes as the…