Feb 05 How can a nation with manufacturing employment being replaced by “service” jobs expect to have a trade balance with the rest of the world? Question/Comment: Did you ever hear about the two old ladies who made a precarious living taking in each other’s laundry? My question is this: how can a nation with manufacturing employment being replaced by “service” jobs expect to have a… Continue reading
Feb 01 Is it possible that Boomers are not spending as we used to do? Question/Comment: Is it possible that Boomers are not spending as we used to do? I know that my purchases of clothing, food, and what is known as durable goods, are not something that I purchase as much as I used… Continue reading
Jan 30 Should we have a central registry of mortgage lending so that trading can be more transparent? Question/Comment: As it is with all financial crisis, I guess, a lot of the damage stems from uncertainty. No one knows how much bad debt is out there and who’s holding it. My question is: why is it not possible… Continue reading
Jan 29 A correction from Paul Solman: I want to apologize for misunderstanding a former professor and not checking myself the assertion I made with such assurance on the Friday, January 25, 2008 program that the stock market had gone up in the wake of the… Continue reading
Jan 28 How effective have stimulus packages been in the past? Question/Comment: How effective have past stimulus packages been at achieving their objectives and their impact against the estimated consequence of taking no active stimulating role? Paul Solman: Depends what you mean by “achieving their objectives.” Last time around, people spent… Continue reading
Jan 28 Is there anything positive for the small investor in Wall Street these days? Question/Comment: Can you give any positive commentary to help reassure small investors that there is a reasonable chance to expect integrity when dealing with Wall Street? Paul Solman: More than in the past, say? I don’t see why. Here’s an… Continue reading
Jan 28 Why don’t auto-manufacturers sell cars built to the customers’ needs? Question/Comment: As long as I can remember, automobile companies have always pushed their products, by, in one way or another, indicating that they are burdened by surplus inventory. So, given that all the auto-manufacturers now have Web sites where the… Continue reading
Jan 25 How much can I expect from the economic stimulus plan’s tax rebate? We've received dozens of questions about the proposed economic stimulus plan and the rebates for taxpayers and businesses. The deal includes rebate checks for most U.S. taxpayers, but it must still be approved by the Senate and signed by President… Continue reading
Jan 23 I always hear about the Chinese keeping their currency at an artificial rate to help exports. Where would the cost of doing that show up? Question/Comment: I always hear about the Chinese keeping their currency at an artificial rate to help exports, but I know from trying to hold a lid on a boiling pot that the pressure is going to come out somewhere. If… Continue reading
Jan 17 Could you explain to us novices what long term effects will the subprime lending debacle have on our economy? Questions/Comment: Could you explain to us novices what long term effects will the subprime lending debacle have on our economy? What remedial measures need to be taken by the government and investors to limit the damage? Finally, which branch of… Continue reading