Apr 18 How can any elected official do anything about the economy? Question/Comment: How can any elected official do anything about the economy when 90 percent of the budget goes to the military, entitlement programs, earmarks and the national debt? Paul Solman: She or he can vote to spend less (or more)… Continue reading
Apr 17 How much of a drag is the current deficit on GDP growth? Question/Comment: Can you elaborate on the pro and con arguments behind our current account deficit? How much of a drag is it on GDP growth? Paul Solman: Pro: We get to buy more now… Continue reading
Apr 16 How does the FDIC bailout work? Question/Comment: How does the FDIC bailout work? If I have an account in a failing bank, how much money must I have in the account to get the $100,000 bailout? Is it true that… Continue reading
Apr 11 Do you see the housing market return to fair market values (not inflated prices) within a year to year and a half? Question/Comment: I need to sell my house. Do you see the housing market return to fair market values (not inflated prices) within a year to year and a half? Paul Solman: Thanks for giving me the opportunity to again quote… Continue reading
Apr 07 If deficit spending stimulates the economy then won’t imminent plans to wind down the war and trim spending offset any stimulus packages? Question/Comment: If deficit spending stimulates the economy then won't imminent plans to wind down the war and trim spending offset any stimulus packages? Paul Solman: Hmmm, interesting point: an argument for continuing the war might be its stimulating… Continue reading
Apr 04 Why is the price in oil rising and who is getting the money? Question/Comment: Oil has gone up in price per barrel a huge amount during the last few weeks. Neither the cost of producing that oil nor our falling dollar value could have made much of a difference in that short term. Continue reading
Apr 04 Did the credit agencies, such as S&P, overrate the bundles of mortgages? This installment’s “guest vetter” is Larry Koltikoff with Boston University. He is perhaps the best-known American economist on the issue of intergenerational conflict over entitlement spending on programs like Social Security and Medicare. You can check out his full bio… Continue reading
Apr 01 Will JPMorgan Chase have to assume all of Bear Stearns’ debt? Question/Comment: Will JPMorgan Chase have to assume all of Bear Stearns’ debt? Paul Solman: Nope. The Fed covers the first $30 billion dollars of Bear Stearns losses — $30… Continue reading
Apr 01 I’ve heard the Federal Reserve is not actually federal and has no reserves, it’s a private banking cartel that looks out for the interests of Wall Street, not most Americans. This installment’s “guest vetter” is Larry Koltikoff with Boston University. He is perhaps the best-known American economist on the issue of intergenerational conflict over entitlement spending on programs like Social Security and Medicare. You can check out his full bio… Continue reading
Mar 21 How much weight does the U.S. president have on interest rate changes? By Paul Solman Question/Comment: How much weight does the U.S. president have on interest rate changes? The news talks about the Federal Reserve, but it seems it was Bush’s idea to bring them down low, so everyone can own a home. I know… Continue reading