Mar 31 How Do Other Countries Afford Universal Health Care? Question: I have heard repeatedly that every major economy, besides the U.S., has universal health care. I have also heard that the Medicare program, which obviously doesn’t cover everyone, is headed for bankruptcy. How do these other countries afford to… Continue reading
Mar 30 Economic Insight for Millenials Question: What are the top three bits of economic insight that Millennials should take note of as we face the world post-college during this period of economic recession? Paul Solman: 1. Internalize the basic message of economics: Decision-making is the… Continue reading
Mar 26 Who Is to Blame for the Meltdown? Question: I keep hearing conservatives like Amity Shlaes blaming the meltdown on Fannie and Freddie and CRA, and liberals like Dean Baker and John Cassidy minimizing the role of Fannie/Freddie/CRA. They say it was… Continue reading
Mar 25 How Were Off-Balance-Sheet Transactions Allowed to Continue? Question: In this current financial crisis, I keep hearing about “off balance sheet” transactions. I’m old enough to remember Enron’s collapse, which also entailed “off balance sheet” transactions. What are these (I think they are also referred to as structured… Continue reading
Mar 24 What’s the Difference Between Quantitative Easing and the Fed Buying Securities? Question: What’s the distinction between “quantitative easing” and the Federal Reserve simply buying and selling government securities to affect the nation’s money supply? Paul Solman: The distinction is that when the Fed is selling, it’s sopping up money from the… Continue reading
Mar 23 Why Haven’t Agricultural Land Prices Also Crashed? Question: I have a question about agricultural land prices. I have seen my home, apartment building, and stock values drop. In addition, there are rumors in the press about potential drops in commercial office and retail space. But agricultural lands… Continue reading
Mar 22 Why Don’t We Have More Tech Education Programs in Schools? Question: As a nation of technology, why do public schools continue to eliminate technology education programs? Doesn’t this curriculum (see iteaconnect.org for standards) lead to more high-knowledge-high-skills jobs? Paul Solman: I don’t know the answer, so I asked my… Continue reading
Mar 17 Miller Center Debate: Does the U.S. Need More Grads? Editor’s note: Paul recently moderated a Miller Center debate on whether the United States must dramatically increase its number of college-educated citizens to remain a leading economic power. Former Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and Michael Lomax, president of… Continue reading
Mar 17 From the Archive: The Fed and the Financial Crisis Editor’s note: Over at the Rundown, we’re watching Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke’s appearance on the Hill today to defend the Fed’s ability to oversee banks of all sizes — a role that could be altered significantly under financial… Continue reading
Mar 15 From the Archive: Tackling Financial Reform Editor’s note: With Sen. Chris Dodd unveiling a bill to overhaul the nation’s financial system Monday, we’re dipping into our Business Desk archives to pull out expert commentary featured here over the past few months on how sweeping the changes… Continue reading