Oct 03 Should I move now whatever money I can to federally insured savings accounts? Question/Comment: I am 62, hoping to retire at 67. I have no debt and my money is invested (following the advice of a pricey financial adviser) in both equities and guaranteed income. I’ve lost a big chunk of dough in… Continue reading
Oct 02 Is this event the Berlin Wall of Free Market Economics? Another email from an old friend: “Is this event the Berlin Wall of Free Market Economics? Or even, as the press backs away from the hotness of the story, the Berlin Wall of Free Market Economics crashing not with a… Continue reading
Oct 02 What would happen if the government gave every American one million dollars so people could pay off all their mortgages and bills? While waiting for more of your emails (they come in via the Online NewsHour in Virginia), I’ve been fielding a few from friends and neighbors. I thought I’d share them, and my answers, this afternoon. First, from my earliest friend:… Continue reading
Oct 01 What regulations do you think would possibly fix this situation? And could you assess a few of those who disagree with the need for regulation? Question/Comment: I’m concerned that your viewers are going to come away from this discussion thinking that the market is to blame. The risky investments you refer to at the root of this problem were ones that the government mandated, ones… Continue reading
Oct 01 What would happen if we did nothing to fix the credit crisis? Question/Comment: I just listened to your explanation of the credit crisis on the NewsHour. I’m wondering why I should care. I am a renter, have no savings to speak of, no stocks and work for a small family business with… Continue reading
Oct 01 If many people have a stake in my mortgage, what happens when I make a payment? Question/Comment: I enjoyed the tutorial tonight. What I want to learn is how these mortgage backed securities pay the folks that hold them. They are pieces of many mortgages, so say I am a homeowner with a mortgage and send… Continue reading
Oct 01 Why is a bailout being considered, not massive loans? Question/Comment: Why not loans, instead a “bailout”? Also, why do we have to do this in a week – why not two weeks? Did Paulson make it worse by saying it had to be done this week so that now… Continue reading
Oct 01 What do you think about Allen Meltzer’s views on rescue plan? Question/Comment: How do you feel about Professor Meltzer’s solution? He’s with Mellon Institute, and was interviewed just before your segment. He’s against any government involvement, but if we must, then loan money to companies who wish to borrow and repay… Continue reading
Sep 30 Which was the only stock in the S&P 500 to go up yesterday, according to Bloomberg.com? Paul Solman: Rhetorical question, posed by myself: Which was the only stock in the S&P 500 to go up yesterday, according to Bloomberg.com? Answer: Campbell, the soup company. If the goals of the Conquistadors in the “New” World… Continue reading
Sep 29 With the world shifting under our feet, a response to the day’s record events. Paul Solman: With the world shifting under our feet as I write (2 pm), today’s question came from the editor of The Business Desk, who asked for a response to the events of the second: Dow down 500+ (and I… Continue reading