Jun 12 Could the Government Limit the Number of Layoffs a Profitable Company Could Make? By Business Desk Question: Obama and Geithner said they would act aggressively to fix the economy. So, why hasn’t the administration limited the number of employees that profitable companies may lay off? That could help significantly by keeping the unemployment rate down, partially… Continue reading
Jun 10 If China Pulls Away From the Dollar, What Happens to the U.S. Economy? Question: There’s been speculation that China will lessen its ties to the U.S. dollar and U.S. debt. Some countries would also like oil to be priced in something other than dollars. If these events were to happen, what might be… Continue reading
Jun 09 If Banks Still Followed Mark-to-Market Rules, What Would Their Losses Look Like? Question: What is the actual amount that banks have “lost” if banks still had to follow mark-to-market rules? My understanding is that our large banks would be insolvent by almost a trillion dollars if they had to declare what… Continue reading
Jun 08 How Do the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds Work? Question: How do the Social Security and Medicare trust funds work? My understanding is that there is no money there, so that general government revenues have to be tapped to answer calls on them. Thus they are insolvent now? Paul… Continue reading
Jun 05 What’s Your Take on the New Unemployment Numbers? Question: What’s your take on the new unemployment numbers? Paul Solman: First Friday: That time of the month again. Time for the official unemployment number, that is. Today’s is being trumpeted as yet another “green shoot.” A net job loss… Continue reading
Jun 04 Which Taxes Offer an Opportunity to Be Progressive? Question: What other taxes offer an opportunity to be progressive besides income and inheritance taxes? Paul Solman: Great question. I hope school is still in session. One alternative tax would be a progressive… Continue reading
Jun 03 What’s the Collateral Damage of GM’s Bankruptcy? Question: What’s the collateral damage or ripple effects of GM’s bankruptcy? Paul Solman: Funny you should ask. We’re in the process of scripting a brief story for tonight’s NewsHour addressing this very question. (Brief for us, that is: For the… Continue reading
Jun 02 Geithner in China: How Is China Weathering the Economic Crisis? By Business Desk Question: How is China weathering the economic crisis? And does China want to remain the United States’ largest creditor? Paul Solman: With Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner in Beijing for the past few days, the financial world has been watching and… Continue reading
Jun 02 Viewer Responses: Slamming Gettelfinger (And Us) Paul Solman: Thursday’s interview with UAW president Ron Gettelfinger elicited some strong reactions from viewers, of which these email excerpts are but a sample: Viewer 1: I have respected The NewsHour for years. Continue reading
Jun 01 Retired Auto Workers Ask Union Chief Ron Gettelfinger Their Questions In shooting a story on the GM bankruptcy that will air tonight, we asked a group of United Auto Worker retirees to put their questions directly to UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. Here are their… Continue reading