Apr 21 If AIG Uses Its Bailout to Pay Off Other Debts, Is That a Ponzi Scheme? Question: If we are shoveling money into AIG and they are pushing it out the back door to pay off bad debts and then banks announce profits, does this mean we are in a… Continue reading
Jan 09 Watch Economists Explain Why Hints of the Economic Crisis Eluded Them Some of the nation's brightest economists failed to predict the foreclosure crisis and economic recession that followed. Paul Solman asks them why no one connected the dots in time to warn the public. Continue watching
Jan 07 Watch Unrest Spreads in China as Economy Worsens Chinese leaders are facing new pressures amid fears that a national social crisis is looming, brought on by millions of job losses and a surge in public protests. Nick Paton Walsh of Independent Television News reports. Continue watching
Oct 23 What does the current crisis say about communism and capitalism? Question/Comment: The difference between Communism and Capitalism is one could admit that it was wrong. It seems greed is the ultimate downfall of Capitalism and ironically one of its founding precepts. With all the nationalizing going on, maybe it’s time… Continue reading
Oct 10 Watch Global Stock Sell-Off Stirs New Fears of Recession One year after the Down Jones industrial average peaked above 14,000 points, it closed Friday below 8,500 amid a global financial slump. Economic analysts and reporters give insight on the latest Wall Street woes. Continue watching
Jul 22 Is capitalism the best arangement under which greed will do the least harm? By Business Desk Question/Comment: Is this true?: The problem of social organization is how to set up an arrangement under which greed will do the least harm; capitalism is that kind of a system. (Milton Friedman) Paul Solman: Could be. But the… Continue reading
May 07 Aren’t production jobs the foundation of a healthy economy? Question/Comment: Having grown up around workers and plant managers in western New York, and knowing the vibrant history there, one factor stands out as fundamental to our current economic problems today: the massive loss of production jobs… Continue reading
Mar 31 Watch Broad New Oversights Pitched for Ailing Financial Systems In the wake of the subprime mortgage crash and the bailout of a prominent U.S. investment firm, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson on Monday outlined an administration proposal for increasing the regulation of financial institutions and markets. A Treasury official and… Continue watching
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
Sep 07 Watch New Bin Laden Video Released Ahead of 9/11 Anniversary Osama bin Laden addressed the American people in a new al-Qaida video that was broadcast on Al-Jazeera television Friday. Security analysts assess what it says about bin Laden's status and what it could mean for the United States. Continue watching