Economy

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What can be done about today’s unemployment statistics?

Question/Comment: What can be done about the fact that in today’s unemployment statistics, there are only four times as many whites unemployed as blacks, despite there being six times as many whites in the labor force? Paul Solman:…

The “experts” all seem to be on the side of the status quo. Why can’t we hear from people inside the industry who really want to reform it?

Question/Comment: With all the discussion of the mortgage crisis, there is still hardly any mention of actually cleaning up the mortgage industry. The "experts" all seem to be on the side of the status quo, but maybe this is contributing…

Fed Opts to Leave Key Interest Rate Unchanged

By Admin, PBS News Hour

The Federal Reserve decided Tuesday for a second consecutive meeting to keep a key interest rate at 2 percent, saying that overall the economy is doing well despite inflationary fears.

Do you believe that some of the run up in oil prices is based on speculation in the commodoties markets?

By Business Desk

Question/Comment: Do you believe that some of the run up in oil prices is based on speculation in the commodities markets? My understanding is that the amount of funds et al. playing in oil futures has risen more than 70…

Why didn’t the private mortgage insurance avert the current banking and credit crisis?

Question/Comment: Not long ago, writing mortgages required private mortgage insurance (PMI) if the borrower’s equity in the property was below a certain percent of market level. Usually,…

How exactly did the banks lose money?

Question/Comment: My question about the mortgage crisis is this: how exactly did the banks lose money? It seems that people who put deposits on the loans that were foreclosed upon lost their money, not the banks. The banks…

Programs Aim to Break Cycles of Poverty in the South Through Home Ownership

By PBS News Hour

As near-daily reports of housing woes -- from lenders and homebuyers alike -- grip the United States, community-based programs around the country are continuing the slow work of trying to encourage responsible asset building for lower-income workers.

FCC Rules Comcast Violated Internet Access Policy

By PBS News Hour

A divided Federal Communications Commission ruled Friday that Comcast Corp. violated federal policy when it blocked Internet traffic for some subscribers. The cable giant has been ordered to change the way it manages its network.

As a graduating high-school student, I am concerned about the future. What can I expect to see in the next few years?

Question/Comment: As a graduating high school student, I am concerned about what the future has in store. With the economy changing the way it is, what can I expect to see in the next few years? What would be the…

U.S. Employers Cut 51,000 Jobs in July

By Admin, PBS News Hour

The U.S. unemployment rose to its highest level in four years in July as employers slashed 51,000 jobs, according to a Labor Department report released Friday.