Nov 14 Retail Sales Suffer Record Plunge as Consumers Hunker Down By Admin, PBS News Hour Retail sales endured a 2.8 percent drop last month -- their largest plunge on record, the Commerce Department reported Friday. Continue reading
Nov 14 What Can Our Government Actually Do to Reduce Extreme Financial Inequality? Question/Comment: What can our government actually do to reduce extreme financial inequality after the fact (assuming that such reduction is desirable)? Once extreme wealth has been created, don’t those chosen “elite” have considerably more opportunity than the rest of us… Continue reading
Nov 13 Watch Paulson Defends Federal Financial Rescue Effort Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson defended the changes made to the $700 billion rescue plan aimed at helping consumers. He told the NewsHour he never expected it to lead to a quick recovery of bank lending. Continue watching
Nov 13 Can You Address the Consequences of Selecting a Treasury Secretary? Question/Comment: Can you address the consequences of selecting a Treasury Secretary? What are the salient policy and personality differences between the different candidates? Are there other notable candidates not on the short list that should be? Paul Solman: By candidates… Continue reading
Nov 13 New Jobless Claims Nearly Hit Post-Sept. 11 Level By PBS News Hour After skyrocketing in recent months, the number of newly laid-off U.S. workers seeking unemployment benefits jumped last week to the highest level since just after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Continue reading
Nov 12 Watch Paulson Shifts Economic Rescue Plan to Focus on Boosting Credit Economists discuss Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's announcement Wednesday that the government will shift its focus from buying troubled assets to shoring up institutions that manage credit cards, auto loans and other types of borrowing. Continue watching
Nov 12 Paulson Says Bailout Funds May Not Be Used to Buy Troubled Assets By PBS News Hour Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson announced a major shift in the government's bailout program Wednesday, saying the $700 billion rescue package will not be used to purchase troubled assets as originally planned. Continue reading
Nov 12 Reporter’s Notebook: Gwen Ifill Discusses Obama Transition Efforts By Admin, PBS News Hour Senior NewsHour correspondent Gwen Ifill spoke with Steve Goldbloom about President-Elect Barack Obama's transition to the White House, including some of his early appointments, such as his selection of Rahm Emanuel as his chief of staff. Continue reading
Nov 12 Democrats Press for Billions in Aid to Auto Industry By PBS News Hour Democrats continued to push for aid for struggling U.S. automakers, calling for Congress to act during its lame-duck session next week to give the industry a much-needed financial boost as it confronts weak sales and plummeting stock prices. Continue reading
Nov 11 Watch Despite Bailout, Budget Strains Worsen for Fannie, AIG Ailing financial giants Fannie Mae and American International Group will need additional government help, despite rescue measures extended by the federal recovery package. Two financial experts examine the prudence of the bailouts and their shortcomings. Continue watching