Mar 20 How Worried Are You About the National Debt? Question: How concerned should we be about (1) our level of national debt and (2) China holding a large portion of our national debt? Paul Solman: These are among the great debates of our time, of course. Short-term,… Continue reading
Mar 18 Watch Author Discusses Bankers’ Role in the Great Depression Author Liaquat Ahamed explores the role of bankers leading up to the Great Depression in his book, "Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World."… Continue watching
Mar 13 If China Is Worried About U.S. Debt, How Worried Should We Be? Question: China’s Premier Wen Jiabao said today he was “worried” about China’s $1 trillion investment in U.S. securities. So, should the United States be worried about his worry? Paul Solman: In response to any economic problem these days, I’m… Continue reading
Mar 13 China Voices Concerns on U.S. Investments as G-20 Summit Begins By PBS News Hour China's Premier Wen Jiabao expressed concern Friday about China's massive holding of U.S. debt and Treasuries, appealing to U.S. leadership to make moves to restore economic health and insure the value of China's holdings. Continue reading
Mar 09 What Are the Benefits of the Stock Market? Question: How does having a stock market benefit the entire country? To the extent that IPOs represent a mechanism for gaining funds for projects that increase profits, it is very useful. But don’t stocks… Continue reading
Mar 05 What Would Happen if Washington Let Big Banks Fail? By Business Desk Question: What would happen if the government let Citibank and Bank of America, et al., just fail? Paul Solman: The possibilities are various, intriguing, and terrifying. Let’s say Citi goes under. The government has to honor all of the company’s… Continue reading
Feb 13 Should the Government Give Money to Consumers to Pay Off Credit Cards, Mortgages? Editor’s Note: Paul recently answered “Five Good Questions” on the economy for the PBS Engage blog. You will also be able to find those answers here on the Business Desk all week. Question/Comment:… Continue reading
Feb 11 Forecasting Our Economic Future Paul Solman: Historians sing of what has passed; journalists, of what is passing; economic forecasters, of what is to come. Over the years, and especially during presidential campaigns, we’ve featured the forecasting model of Yale economist Ray Fair here… Continue reading
Jan 07 Watch Federal Budget Deficit Projected to Skyrocket in 2009 New Congressional Budget Office figures released Wednesday predict the federal budget deficit will hit $1.2 trillion in 2009. Analysts mull what the numbers mean. Continue watching
Dec 08 Watch Student Debt Rising as College Costs Continue to Climb Higher education costs have increased by 439 percent since 1982, according to a National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education report. NewsHour special correspondent for education John Merrow looks at the rising burden of education debt. Continue watching