Economy Feb 10 As a Stimulus, Would it Work to Give Money to Americans to Cover Their Mortgage or Credit Debt? Question/Comment: As a stimulus to the economy, would it work to give money to Americans to cover their mortgage or credit debt? Paul Solman: Any spending is a stimulus. You might take a few minutes to read, as I just…
Economy Jan 25 Why Are People Now Encouraged To Buy? Question/Comment: Is this economic downturn really related to so many U.S. citizens buying themselves into big debt with credit cards? Why then, are people now encouraged to buy? Paul Solman: Citizens, corporations and government…
Economy Jan 21 How Do You See Medicare and Social Security Being Changed to Accommodate Future Generations? Question/Comment: What is the future of Social Security and Medicare in the next 20-years and how do you see it being changed to accommodate future generations? Paul Solman: Medicare is a much bigger problem than Social Security. I think Medicare…
Economy Jan 09 In Case You Missed It: Economists Explain Why Hints of the Economic Crisis Eluded Them Paul Solman reports from San Francisco on a conference for economists and why hints of a recession were missed. // ]> // ]]>…
Economy Dec 31 Are Ethics Taught in Finance and Business? Question/Comment: At one point during your report on teaching job skills to at-risk urban youth, I noticed a wall behind a student displayed a list of qualities to embrace: be honest, be accountable, among others. It almost seems cruelly…
Economy Dec 24 How Do Some Businesses Remain Prosperous While Others Fail? Question/Comment: I hear plenty about businesses that are failing or have failed in the recent financial turmoil. I heard little about businesses that remain stable or even prosperous. What is making the difference between the two? Paul Solman: If you…
Economy Dec 24 In Case You Missed It: Innovative Program Uses Business Methods to Teach Job Skills On Tuesday, Dec. 23, Paul Solman examined an innovative social entrepreneurship program that uses business methods to achieve social change for at-risk urban youth. You can find the transcript here. // <]> // ]]>…
Economy Dec 24 Do You Believe FDR’s Big Government Investment Efforts in Fact Helped End the Great Depression, And if So, Would Such Efforts Help Now? Question/Comment: A friend of mine disputes the notion that FDR’s New Deal rescued the nation from the Great Depression; he argues that the war effort was the major contributor. Do you believe…
Economy Dec 23 I’m Not Sure It’s My Responsibility to Go Out and Shop to Keep Businesses Afloat. Question/Comment: It seems to me there’s been a shift in market thinking in the recent past. I’m not sure that it’s my responsibility to go out and shop to keep businesses afloat; I always thought that it was business’ responsibility…
Economy Dec 19 Which Is It: Spend or Save? Question/Comment: We’re told that lower consumer spending will make economic recovery much more difficult. We’re admonished that we don’t save nearly enough, and are among the lowest among industrialized nations. So which is it: spend or save? Paul Solman: The…