Apr 24 Why this ‘gender-crossing’ economist prefers ‘motherly libertarianism’ to government paternalism By Deirdre McCloskey Economist Deirdre McCloskey wants to be taxed to finance a minimum income, not a minimum wage. People couldn't persuasively beg with the former, she says, and the government would get out of the business of treating adults like children. Continue reading
Apr 24 Number of first-time jobless claims rose more than expected last week By Joshua Barajas Although the new figures are higher than expected, economic experts told Reuters that this uptick of jobless claims "probably reflected difficulties adjusting the data for seasonal fluctuations given a late Easter this year," and is not necessarily an indication… Continue reading
Apr 23 Seattle’s Socialist councilwoman on why capitalism offers nothing for young people By Kshama Sawant Seattle councilwoman Kshama Sawant is a leader in Seattle's movement to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. But even that, she says, won't be enough to overcome an economic system that's not working for America. Continue reading
Apr 23 New York Times study: most Americans’ incomes have stagnated By Anya van Wagtendonk Economic growth in the U.S. is as strong as or stronger than in many other countries –- but that growth benefits only a small percentage of American households. That’s the conclusion of a New York Times analysis, based upon… Continue reading
Apr 22 Watch How much does it really cost to live in a city like Seattle? By PBS News Hour In Seattle, there is a growing push to raise the minimum wage 62 percent to $15 an hour, which the University of Washington has calculated as the minimum cost of living for an adult with one child. But would the… Continue watching
Apr 22 Will your college degree pay for itself in 20 years? By Simone Pathe The return on investment of a college degree varies by the type and cost of institution, with tech and engineering schools generally landing near the top of the list. See how much return a degree from your Alma mater will… Continue reading
Apr 21 In Canada, find a penny, recycle it By Jordan Vesey Across Canada a beloved and familiar face is silently disappearing. Everyday transactions in shopping centers and banks are slowly feeding a systematized extinction unnoticed by most. The object of destruction: the Canadian penny. Continue reading
Apr 21 Calling out Social Security for its awful inequities By Laurence Kotlikoff Social Security's arcane provisions don't just disadvantage recipients who can't figure out what they mean. As Larry Kotlikoff explains, there are also structural inequities in the system that put certain groups, particularly lower-earners, at a disadvantage. Continue reading
Apr 18 How a basic income in the U.S. could increase global poverty By Megan McArdle Making a guaranteed income politically viable, Megan McArdle says, would require closing off U.S. borders to immigrants from lower-skilled countries. And that would increase global poverty more than a basic income would reduce U.S. poverty. Continue reading
Apr 17 Watch SeaTac airport workers fight exclusion from $15 minimum wage By PBS News Hour In SeaTac, Wash., home of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, citizens voted last year to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. However, a court decision — now being appealed — has excluded the 5,000 or so workers on airport… Continue watching