Jan 05 Watch Congress Asks Regulators for Answers in Madoff Scandal Congress questioned federal regulators during a hearing Monday about why so many warning signs surrounding the business dealings of Wall Street investor Bernard Madoff went unnoticed. New York Times reporter Alex Berenson details the latest developments. Continue watching
Jan 05 Auto Sales Plunge in December By PBS News Hour December marked another dismal month for automakers with new figures showing overall sales declines of more than 30 percent as the U.S. auto industry continues to struggle amid the economic downturn. Continue reading
Jan 05 What is the Economic Impact of Military Spending? Question/Comment: I would like to know the impact of military spending on our economy. It seems like it’s a pretty hefty percentage of the annual budget, almost equal to that spent on Social Security; more than is spent on Medicare. Continue reading
Jan 02 Previews of Next Week and a Mideast Trip By Arts Desk We continue to receive many wonderful comments and responses to specific stories and to the entire Art Beat effort. But the news is not always good. Continue reading
Jan 02 Find More of Paul's Thoughts on Twitter and His New Online Article. It’s the weekend again and with the NewsHour dark, there’s no chance to answer questions. So I thought I’d post a couple of things that might interest you. I’m in San Francisco for the annual meeting of economists for a… Continue reading
Jan 02 Can You Explain Why Our Economy Seems to Only Work As Long As We Buy Lots of Cars and Other Consumer Goods? Question/Comment: Can you help me understand why our economy seems to work only as long as we buy lots of cars and other consumer goods, some of which aren’t really necessities? Isn’t there some other way, at least in theory,… Continue reading
Jan 02 Could You Explain the Differences Between a "Recession," "Depression" and "Repression"? Question/Comment: Could you please explain the differences between “recession,” “depression” and “repression”? I understand that recession has a text book definition, but the other two terms seem vague. Paul Solman: “Recession” is two successive quarters of “negative growth” – i.e.,… Continue reading
Jan 01 Watch Journalists Look Back on Tumultuous Financial Year The economy experienced an extraordinary year of volatility in 2008 with the collapse of major financial firms and huge market losses. Financial writers discuss the year's significance and the road ahead in 2009. Continue watching
Dec 31 For Arts Funding, 2008 Was a Rough Year As the clock ticks down on 2008's roller coaster of economic turmoil and time runs out for charitable giving this year, non-profits are under pressures they weren't feeling a year ago and communities are struggling to support art programs during… Continue reading
Dec 31 Are Ethics Taught in Finance and Business? By Business Desk 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… Continue reading