Economist Robert Reich took to the easel to break down the tenets of Paul Ryan’s economic plan—what would very likely be the premise of a Romney administration. Despite cartoonish sketches of the GOP pair, the outlook is anything but humorous. "It would be the same austerity trap now throwing Europe into recession," Reich explains, opening the video with the harsh reality of higher unemployment if Romney makes it to the White House. If you need a quick refresher on what the VP pick means for the GOP ticket—and for you—this stripped-down tutorial from MoveOn.org will do the trick.

—Zoë Schlanger