Economy Sep 11 When running as intended, what cost difference does Fannie and Freddie make to the mortgage payment of the average house? Question/Comment: How do other nations subsidize housing (to the same end that Fannie and Freddie do in the U.S.)? When running as intended, what cost difference does Fannie and Freddie make to the mortgage payment of the average house? If…
Economy Aug 05 Do you believe that some of the run up in oil prices is based on speculation in the commodoties markets? Question/Comment: Do you believe that some of the run up in oil prices is based on speculation in the commodities markets? My understanding is that the amount of funds et al. playing in oil futures has risen more than 70…
Economy Jul 23 The Health Care Debate: Eliminate the for-profit middle man and all is solved? Question/Comment: When the NewsHour does segments on health care, I would love for you or any of the staff to ask the health care administrators, economists and especially the politicians why people support a health care system that requires…
Economy Jul 22 Is capitalism the best arangement under which greed will do the least harm? Question/Comment: Is this true?: The problem of social organization is how to set up an arrangement under which greed will do the least harm; capitalism is that kind of a system. (Milton Friedman) Paul Solman: Could be. But the…
Economy Jun 24 Can you help explain how commodity exchanges and “commodity futures” and “index futures” work? Question/Comment: Can you help explain how commodity exchanges and “commodity futures” and “index futures” work? Apparently both some members of Congress, and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, are looking into how speculators affect oil and food prices. As the typical…
Economy Jun 10 Would you consider doing a report on the carbonated beverage industry and its impact on global warming? Question/Comment: Much has been said about the potential costs to the oil and auto industries regarding global warming/CO2 greenhouse gas tailpipe and smokestack emissions. Perhaps overlooked is the detrimental effects the carbonated beverage industries would suffer, if the people concerned…
Economy Apr 29 Can Fed come up with a better system for encouraging long-term savings? Question/Comment: I inherited some money, retired, and moved to Portland, Ore. Now that I have money in the bank, and the Fed has been lowering interest rates, I've been wondering exactly how our banking system actually works. When the Fed…
Economy Feb 13 How can such enormous debt be sustainable and what happens to the world economy if the U.S. defaults? Question/Comment: I am a Canadian. Unfortunately, 87 percent of our trade is with America. Consequently, U.S. recessions are felt more deeply in Canada. However, my questions are about the American debt. My understanding is that the debt could reach $10…
Economy Nov 28 Why all the focus on just Fed policy? I’m with Alan Greenspan on also looking at our fiscal policy. Question/Comment: Why all the focus on just Fed policy? I'm with Alan Greenspan on also looking at our fiscal policy. Just lowering interest rates without raising revenues could just lead to more inflation. Thank you. Paul Solman: What Robert is…