This week, economic tremors continued to rattle the world. In Greece, despite ongoing protests, the government passed harsh austerity measures. Closer to home, California passed a budget with deep cuts to social safety net programs and the state's once-vaunted higher education system. And, in Minnesota, a budget impasse forced the government to begin furloughing state workers and shutting down services, including state parks -- just in time for the 4th of July holiday weekend.