Jul 09 Why are many oil-producing countries still unable to solve their chronic poverty problem? Question/Comment: With the record world petroleum prices, why is it that many oil-producing countries, such as Mexico, Venezuela, Nigeria, are still unable to solve their chronic poverty problem? Shouldn't the oil boom generate more jobs for the masses… Continue reading
Jul 08 For retailers, cash or credit? Question/Comment: Maybe 10 years ago I heard that cash was the costliest payment to exchange or process by a retailer. Also credit was costlier than debit for a retailer to have processed by a bank. Lately, I've heard just the… Continue reading
Jul 02 Are the stimulus checks only a loan? Question/Comment: My accountant told me the government’s gift of money for taxpayers (to help stimulate the economy?) is actually a loan that most middle/upper income citizens will have to repay within a year. Paul Solman: America spends more than… Continue reading
Jun 26 Why don’t we hear government and private businesses pressuring to revitalize the U.S. rail system to help reduce the oil crisis? Question/Comment: Why don't we hear the government and private businesses pressuring to revitalize the US rail system to help reduce the oil crisis? I thought the rails were the most fuel-efficient form of transportation. Paul Solman: From a… Continue reading
Jun 24 Can you help explain how commodity exchanges and “commodity futures” and “index futures” work? By Business Desk Question/Comment: Can you help explain how commodity exchanges and “commodity futures” and “index futures” work? Apparently both some members of Congress, and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, are looking into how speculators affect oil and food prices. As the typical… Continue reading
Jun 17 What are the pros and cons for denominating oil worldwide in U.S. dollars? Question/Comment: What are the pros and cons for denominating oil worldwide in U.S. dollars, versus in some other currency or basket of currencies? Paul Solman: For whom? The big pro, from the US point of view, is that… Continue reading
Jun 05 How much of the recent rise in oil price is caused by the decline of the dollar? Question/Comment: How much of the recent rise in oil price is caused by the decline of the dollar? Paul Solman: The easiest answer – but it’s a crude one – is the amount by which the… Continue reading
Jun 05 How does the global economic boom of other countries effect the U.S.’ debt? Question/Comment: Recently you stated that the global economic boom (China’s especially) allowed the U.S. to go on a debt bender, which allowed us to grow faster than we really could. Would you please explain how this process works? Paul… Continue reading
May 29 How does the U.S. “export” its inflation to other countries? Question/Comment: How does the U.S. “export” its inflation to other countries? And a second question: Frequently pundits say the U.S. can and does print money to achieve some economic or financial goal. However, my economics professor says the government does… Continue reading
May 23 With the economy changing the way it is, 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… Continue reading