Jun 16 Why Doesn’t the Government Simply Give Households Lots of Money to Stimulate the Economy? Question: One of the most popular suggestions I’ve heard for stimulating the economy is the federal government should give every household one or two million dollars. Would that work or would it create hyperinflation? Paul Solman: Let’s not be profligate… 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
May 19 Watch California Voters Go to Polls on Budget Propositions In California, voters are weighing in Tuesday on ballot measures related to the state's budget difficulties. Spencer Michels reports. Continue watching
May 12 Social Security, Medicare Weakened by Recession By Admin, PBS News Hour The financial health of Social Security and Medicare, the government's two biggest benefit programs, has eroded amid the deep economic recession, according to reports released Tuesday. Continue reading
Mar 30 Why Is the Trade Deficit Important? Question: Please explain the trade deficit. What is it? Why is it important? Is it an indicator like taking someone’s temperature or is it a debt that has to be paid? Does it relate directly to our national debt?… Continue reading
Mar 25 Watch Obama Makes Case for Budget, Congress Considers Cuts Congressional Democrats outlined plans Wednesday to scale back the Obama administration's budget plan as the president visited Capitol Hill to drum up support. Reporters examine the politics at play. Continue watching
Mar 24 With Budget Fight Brewing, Obama Defends Economic Recovery Plan By PBS News Hour In his continuing public campaign of interviews and speeches, President Obama pledged Tuesday to fight for spending initiatives in his $3.6 trillion budget and defended efforts to stabilize the faltering economy. Continue reading
Mar 20 Watch Federal Deficit Projected to Hit $1.8 Trillion New figures released Friday by the Congressional Budget Office predict the federal budget deficit will hit $1.8 trillion in 2009, billions of dollars more than previous estimates several weeks ago. Kwame Holman reports. Continue watching
Mar 20 Bleak Deficit Numbers Projected Under Obama’s Budget Plan By Admin, PBS News Hour The Congressional Budget Office released figures Friday forecasting that President Barack Obama's budget will produce $9.3 trillion worth of red ink over 2010-2019 and that the deficit for this fiscal year will rise to a record $1.8 trillion. Continue reading
Mar 10 Is It Realistic for the President to Cut the Deficit in Half? By Business Desk Question: Is it realistic for the president to cut the deficit in half in four years, even while spending on the war [in Iraq] and moving [troops] to Afghanistan? Paul Solman: The skepticism seems clear and well-taken. The most important… Continue reading