What you need to know to navigate today's most critical debates.

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'Proud' JPMorgan Chief Apologizes (NYT)

Jamie Dimon defended the methodology if not the outcome of his bank's disastrous multi-billion dollar bets even as he faced hard-hitting questions about which regulations he'd like repealed first and searing criticism such as "Let's agree to disagree."

Incoming Regulator Promises No More Coddling of Banks (ProPublica)

Jesse Eisinger asks whether the new head of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has what it takes to make the regulatory agency start regulating again and convince its staff that the devil already has more than enough advocates.

Wall Street's vote: Romney by a landslide (Politico)

The financial sector has pumped $37.1 million into the Romney campaign compared to just $4.8 million for Obama, as disaffected hedge funders say they want a president who values hard work and innovation. And also whatever hedge funds do.

Secret money fuels the 2012 elections (WaPo)

E.J. Dionne writes that the amount of dark money flying around is sufficiently ridiculous that the only way to combat it may be to bring even more money into the race and let it be known that our billionaires can totally beat up their billionaires.

How Dark-Money Groups Sneak By the Taxman (MoJo)

Gavin Aronsen looks at how various 501(c)(4)s skirt the rule that they must be nonpartisan "social welfare" groups to avoid disclosing their donors, since the IRS doesn't buy the argument that money equals votes and every dollar is a secret ballot.

Save Europe's Marriage With a Trial Separation (Bloomberg)

Robert Hockett writes that the best thing for northern and southern members of the eurozone may be to spend some time apart and experiment with other currencies and central banks until they've matured enough to be in a relationship.

Quebec Students Spark Mass Protests Against Austerity (The Nation)

Jesse Rosenfeld reports that last winter's student walkout to protest a tuition hike at Quebec's public universities has grown into a large and sustained act of civil disobedience and outrage in the world's most stereotypically easygoing country.

What to expect when you're expecting cuts to food stamps (WaPo)

Suzy Khimm notes that the Senate farm bill aims to crack down on "abuse" of SNAP benefits by reducing them for families who also receive home heating aid, who must have those newfangled thermostats that also let you adjust how hungry you are.

The Uphill Battle to Enforce Domestic Workers' Rights (The Nation)

Sharon Lerner writes that despite New York's first-of-its-kind Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights taking effect two years ago, there isn't much keeping employers honest aside from the civic spirit they feel after a shift at the Park Slope Food Co-Op.

Can We Curb Obscene Pay? 5 Examples of Shareholder Activism (AlterNet)

Lauren Kelley examines the recent trend of shareholders flexing their muscle as well as the "say on pay" power granted by Dodd-Frank to remind corporations that they really do have to answer to someone now and then, much to their chagrin.

With additional research by Danielle Bella Ellison.