Oct 26 Why Doesn't the Govt. Sponsor Jobs Programs Like Those During the Depression? Question: Why doesn’t the government sponsor jobs programs similar to those by Roosevelt during the Great Depression, such as rebuilding infrastructure, building new energy grids, alternative transportation, a decent bus system or train system? Paul Solman: But that’s what the… Continue reading
Oct 23 What Can We Do About "Too Big to Fail"? Question: What needs to happen so that we will have no companies “too big to fail”? Paul Solman: Come up with incentives that induce big companies to slim down, or disincentives that punish them if they don’t. What’s startling… Continue reading
Oct 22 Pay Slashed for Bailed-out Firms' Executives The government has ordered seven firms that received billions in bailout money to dramatically cut compensation to their highest-paid employees. Continue reading
Oct 22 Which Is Better for the Economy: Spreading Money Around or Spending It in One Place? Question: I have a “nanoeconomy” question. Most of us go to the grocery store once a week. Which would be better for the economy overall if everyone did it: to go to the same store every time, or to… Continue reading
Oct 22 Watch Stimulus Money Plows Through Tractor Country Ray Suarez speaks with Dante Chinni of the Patchwork Nation project about tracking federal stimulus money as it is dispersed through America. Continue watching
Oct 22 Watch Other News: House OKs Consumer Protection Agency In other news, the House voted Thursday to establish a new consumer protection agency, and federal agents carried out a massive 19-state drug bust. Continue watching
Oct 22 Watch Feinberg Hopes More Companies Adopt Executive Pay Rules The Federal Reserve curbed pay packages for executives of companies that received bailout money in an effort to discourage risky business practices. Jeffrey Brown speaks with executive pay czar Kenneth Feinberg. Continue watching
Oct 21 Obama: Small Businesses to Be Offered TARP Help By Carolyn O'Hara President Barack Obama unveiled plans Wednesday to shift government bailout efforts from Wall Street's banks to Main Street's small businesses by increasing lending and access to credit. Continue reading
Oct 21 What's the Difference Between a Recession and a Depression? Question: What is the difference between a recession and a depression? I have been out of work since last November. It seems like a depression for me. I worked for a civil/structural consulting engineering firm for the past 11 1/2… Continue reading
Oct 21 Stimulus Bill Data Offer Glimpse of Effectiveness Americans and government watchdogs are getting their first glimpse at the results of the massive economic stimulus package heralded by President Barack Obama soon after taking office. Continue reading