Jan 30 U.S. Economy Shrinks at Fastest Rate in 26 Years By Admin, PBS News Hour The U.S. economy shrank at its fastest rate in more than a quarter century between October and December, according to federal government data released Friday. Continue reading
Jan 29 Watch Stimulus Package May Yield Mixed Economic Results President Barack Obama's $819 billion stimulus proposal now heads to the Senate with little GOP support. Economists examine whether the proposed measure can succeed at its goals. Continue watching
Jan 29 Who is Right? Krugman or Mankiw? Question/Comment: Paul, please help me understand who is more correct when it comes to the multiplier as applied to tax cuts, versus increased government spending. Professor Greg Mankiw believes that the stimulus package should have more tax cuts, while… Continue reading
Jan 29 Faced With Economic Troubles, Brandeis to Close Rose Art Museum What is the value of art in bad economic times? Brandeis University discovered an answer this week when its president, Jehuda Reinharz, announced plans to close the esteemed Rose Art Museum and sell its collection. Continue reading
Jan 29 Some Businesses Might Go to Offshore Accounts, But Wouldn't Most Want to Stay? Question/Comment: It’s been said that money flows like water. In an economy with a labor pool as talented as America’s, wouldn’t it be a good time to regulate the market so that as money finds its way back into the… Continue reading
Jan 29 Stimulus Package Goes to Senate as Signs of Economic Downturn Continue 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, amid continuing signs of the U.S. economic downturn. Continue reading
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