Dec 14 It is often said that tax cuts help the economy because the taxpayer spends the money. I do not see how that works. Question/Comment: It is often said that tax cuts help the economy because the taxpayer spends the money. I do not see how that works. After all, the government spends money, too. So what does it matter who spends the money?… Continue reading
Dec 14 Once companies securitize an asset and remove it from the books, are there provisions by which a company can obtain (purchase back) the asset from the special purpose entity? Question/Comment: Once companies securitize an asset and remove it from the books, are there provisions by which a company can obtain (purchase back) the asset from the special purpose entity? Since the market for collateralized debt obligations (… Continue reading
Dec 12 With so many consultants and service providers who essentially fly for a living, what is the trade off between efficiency and superior talent pool sourcing? Question/Comment: I just saw your story on the Nov. 29 NewsHour and was curious about the short supply chain advantage in terms of services vs. manufacturing. With so many consultants and service providers who essentially fly for a living, what… Continue reading
Dec 10 Watch After Talks Collapse, Writers Guild Strike Continues Negotiators continue to seek a compromise to end the Writers Guild of America's ongoing strike. Jeffrey Brown discusses the strike with Carl Diorio, labor editor for The Hollywood Reporter. Continue watching
Dec 10 I read that the drop of sales in the RV market could signal the possibility of a recession. How? Question/Comment: I read that the drop of sales in the RV market could signal the possibility of a recession. How? Paul Solman: At the simplest level, a drop in the sales of anything could signal a recession. RVs = leisure… Continue reading
Dec 10 Harley Davidson was a success story in your “Rust Belt” series, but I understand that their workers were recently given unpaid leave. How do you reconcile this? Question/Comment: You used Harley Davidson as a success story in your "Rust Belt" series, but I understand that their workers were recently given unpaid leave. How do you reconcile this?Paul Solman: Because the workers still have good-paying jobs. Unpaid… Continue reading
Dec 07 Watch U.S. Job Growth Held Steady in Nov., Labor Dept. Says The U.S. Labor Department announced Friday that both job growth and unemployment remained steady in the month of November, despite problems in the housing and credit markets. New York Times economy reporter David Leonhardt evaluates the new job numbers and… Continue watching
Dec 07 Where do hedge funds get the stock that they [sell] short in the stock market? Question/Comment: Where do hedge funds get the stock that they [sell] short in the stock market? If, as I suspect, they acquire it from the 401(k) accounts of hard-working individuals who rely on the concept of going "long" in the… Continue reading
Dec 07 You seemed disbelieving (in your report on American Manufacturing, which aired on Nov. 29) that a merchant vessel could sink, or that it happens very often. Question/Comment: You seemed disbelieving (in your report on American Manufacturing, which aired on Nov. 29) that a merchant vessel could sink, or that it happens very often. Check out this as one source for information on world marine casualties. Continue reading
Dec 06 Despite Veto Threat, House Passes Energy Bill By Admin, PBS News Hour The U.S. House of Representatives ignored the White House's threat of a veto and approved an energy bill Thursday that would raise vehicle fuel economy standards for the first time since 1975 and mandate more renewable energy generation. Continue reading