People in nations with economic problems can be permitted to enjoy an occasional pause from contemplating their woes. Once there were circuses for diversion. Yesterday Great Britain chose a royal wedding as its relief from debt, benefits cuts, and taxes. And this week America was diverted by the antics of a property billionaire who claims to have been the one that forced President Obama to release his birth certificate to prove he was born in the good old U.S.A. The Brits arrange successions by insisting on royal lineage, we by insisting that candidates meet our constitutional requirement that they be born here.

Britain will bask in the glow of “the kiss” over its long holiday weekend, which includes Monday. Here in America we return to hard reality on Monday, when Congress returns.