Aug 18 Watch Americans’ Reliance on Credit Leads Many Into Debt The ease with which Americans can make purchases using credit cards and loans has led to increased personal debt. Jeffrey Brown speaks with Stuart Vyse, author of "Going Broke: Why Americans Can't Hold On To Their Money," about the roots… Continue watching
Aug 15 Watch Struggling Economy Hitting America’s Middle Class Hard In the second installment in a series of conversations about the struggling economy, Ray Suarez speaks with author Nan Mooney about what she found to be troubling America's middle class. She interviewed more than 100 people for latest book, "(Not)… Continue watching
Aug 15 How do speculators affect the price of crude oil? Question/Comment: I would like to understand how speculators affect the price of crude oil. I’d like to know who these people are (in general) and how they operate. Paul Solman: I’m on record on this page (and elsewhere)… Continue reading
Aug 15 How can the U.S. government be continuously providing billions of dollars to various countries (we have trillions of dollars in debt)? Question/Comment: I have always enjoyed your professional discussions and news coverage. Could you please help me understand how the U.S. government can continuously be providing billions of dollars to various countries (we have trillions of dollars in debt)?… Continue reading
Aug 14 Watch American ‘Lust’ for Homeownership Tied to Credit Crisis The drive to own more homes and renovate old ones in the U.S. fueled the number of bank loans that underlie the country's meltdown. In the first in a series of interviews on the economic downturn, Daniel McGinn, author of… Continue watching
Aug 14 Watch Elderly Face Soaring Prices Amid Economic Slump Among Americans hit hard by the country's economic downturn are senior citizens, who are struggling to pay energy and food bills and reeling from cuts to community services due to budget constraints. Tom Bearden reports from Denver. Continue watching
Aug 14 Energy, Food Costs Push Consumer Prices up, Fueling Inflation Fears By Admin, PBS News Hour The Labor Department reported a 0.8 percent rise in consumer prices in July -- double the expected rate -- sending inflation on its fastest annual pace in 17 years. Continue reading
Aug 13 Sagging Interest in Motor Vehicles Drives July Retail Sales Down By PBS News Hour Driven down by sagging demand for vehicles, U.S. retail sales had their worst showing in five months in July, according to newly released government figures. Continue reading
Aug 12 Report: Many Companies Able to Avoid Paying U.S. Income Taxes By PBS News Hour Despite trillions of dollars in revenue, a large swath of domestic and foreign corporations paid no U.S. income taxes between 1998 and 2005, according to a government study released Tuesday. Continue reading
Aug 12 Can you explain “moral hazard” in how it increases the cost of health care? Question/Comment: Your report on “moral hazard” was really outstanding. Now, try explaining how it increases the cost of health care. Paul Solman: As with any insurance, if you’re covered for your health, you might take more risks than… Continue reading