Quotables

"The United States lived on borrowed money for too long. . . . There are many reasons for America's problems, but they don't include German export surpluses."

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble on U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's critique of Germany's trade surplus.

"The old stigmas are the new realities. Now, people don't have a problem saying, 'I can't afford it.' It's a sign of strength."

Retail consultant Emanuel Weintraub on the recent trend of middle-class Americans buying store brands, shopping at thrift stores, or using layaway instead of credit.

"An ill-conceived attempt at humor."

British politician Gareth Compton on a Twitter message he posted calling for the stoning of a newspaper columnist. Police arrested Compton.

"I consider myself liberal. . . . But this [welfare] program may be adding to the disintegration of the family."

D.C. Council member and former mayor Marion Barry, calling for enforcement of Washington's lifetime cap on welfare benefits.

"I can add and subtract pretty well. I don't have the numbers to be able to win."

U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., on his longshot House minority leader race against Nancy Pelosi.

"Let me help you pack."

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, at a town hall meeting, on comments by Parsippany Schools Superintendent Lee Seitz that he may leave New Jersey if the state enacts the governor's proposed salary cap. The cap would hold Seitz's salary at $175,000 per year.