Jan 28 House Passes $819 Billion Economic Stimulus Plan By Admin, PBS News Hour The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed President Barack Obama's $819 billion economic stimulus package by a vote of 244-188 Wednesday, with Republicans unanimous in opposition. Continue reading
Jan 28 Watch Fed Vows to Use ‘All Available Tools’ to Prop Up Economy The Fed has been extraordinarily active in recent months, and there are some calls now to expand its future role as a financial regulator. Analysts examine the Fed's evolving role. Continue watching
Jan 28 Three Gems From a Quiet Sundance It was a tough time for filmmakers at this year's Sundance Film Festival, that annual nexus for lesser-seen cinema in Park City, Utah. Thanks to the recession, changing technology and an industry struggling to catch up, less than a dozen… Continue reading
Jan 28 Why Should We Call Them Economists if They Couldn’t Predict the Economy’s Fall? Question/Comment: If economists cannot see that an economy that is two-thirds consumption based with consumer debt rising and savings falling is not completely unsustainable, why don’t we call them idiots instead of economists? Some would call it mercantilism. Paul Solman:… Continue reading
Jan 28 Fed Leaves Key Rate at Record Low, Vows to Use All Tools to Help Economy By PBS News Hour Acknowledging that the economy has continued to deteriorate, the Federal Reserve signaled Wednesday that it will continue to use unconventional tools to cushion the fallout, including keeping a key interest rate at a record low for quite "some time."… Continue reading
Jan 28 Are There Conflicts of Interest in the Credit Industry? Question/Comment: A business advice columnist in The Oregonian recently answered a question about canceling a credit card when the issuer changes the terms. One of her comments was that it always has a negative impact on one’s credit score to… Continue reading
Jan 27 Watch States Grapple With Unique Difficulties in Economic Downturn As the impact of the economic downturn ripples across the U.S., four public broadcasting reporters describe how the recession has impacted their states and local communities. Continue watching
Jan 27 Consumer Confidence Hits New Low as Home Prices Sink, State Unemployment Soars By PBS News Hour Americans' attitudes about the economy have sunk to a new low as another round of glum economic data released Tuesday also shows home prices plummeting and state unemployment rates soaring. Continue reading
Jan 27 With the Economic Downturn and Wages Stagnant, What Economic Rationale Prevails for Increasing Prices? Question/Comment: In the New York Times recently, it was stated that there has been a drop in consumer prices. Here is NYC I have found that prices have risen. For example, a half gallon… Continue reading
Jan 27 Obama to Push Stimulus Plan with GOP Lawmakers By Admin, PBS News Hour President Obama is making his first trip to Capitol Hill since his inauguration to push for broad bipartisan support of his $825 billion economic stimulus plan. Continue reading