Mar 10

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ProPublica’s Mortgage Mod Squad: HAMP’S a Flop

As you've probably heard by now either on our program or elsewhere, the administration's Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP for short) has been a disappointment -- to put it generously. The program, announced back in February 2009, aimed to…

As the President and Congress wrestle over the particulars of a trimmed-down federal budget, the non-partisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, funded by longtime budget nudge Pete Peterson, offers this tool for lowering the debt load -- all…

Today, an update on our country-country lyric contest, inspired by the econo-crooner Merle Hazard. Those of you who frequent these pages often will remember our series late last month where Merle lyricized about the financial crises in Spain,…

Feb 10

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Paul Solman: The last post began to answer Jane Maier's epic email by discussing "heterodoxy" in economics. Today's takes up her second issue: "degrowth." Following her point about the disinclination of economics to invite alternative views, Ms. Maier…

Feb 02

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One-Million Car March?

A warning to those expecting EVs (electric vehicles) to clog the roadways anytime soon, or even to meet President Obama's stated goal of one million by 2015: it's not likely to happen, despite the fact that the U.S. has as…