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
Mar 09 Watch Other News: Signing Statements Under Review, Economic Outlook Worsens President Barack Obama ordered a review of the Bush administration's policy on presidential signing statements, and billionaire investor Warren Buffett made a stark assessment of economic conditions. Continue watching
Mar 06 Watch Shields and Brooks Mull Obama's Agenda, Economy's Troubles Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks weigh the week's news, including February's spike in unemployment, President Barack Obama's priorities amid the economic crisis and the debate over the future of the GOP. Continue watching
Mar 06 Watch Unemployment Rate Climbs to 8.1% in New Sign of Deepening Recession The Labor Department reported Friday that the U.S. unemployment rate hit 8.1 percent, its highest rate in 25 years. Ray Suarez reports on the latest employment numbers, reaction from the White House and the impact on Wall Street. Continue watching
Mar 06 Does Negative News Contribute to the Downturn? Question: I would love to see you do a story on the impact of media coverage on the recession. Over the last two years, there has been a steady drumbeat of “the recession is coming, the recession is coming!” Is… Continue reading
Mar 06 Do We Need a Kinder, Gentler Bubble? Question: Is the answer to the crisis a kinder, gentler bubble? Paul Solman: I’m posing this question to myself, but let me pass the buck from the outset on this one – to the eerily astute Adam Smith — whose… Continue reading
Mar 06 Unemployment Rate Soars to 8.1% in February By Admin, PBS News Hour U.S. employers cut 651,000 jobs in February, the Labor Department reported Friday, pushing the nation's unemployment rate to 8.1 percent, the highest it has been since 1983. Continue reading
Mar 06 Is Anyone Still Hiring? Question: Is anyone still hiring? Paul Solman: The number is now in: 651,000 jobs shed in February. Also, from the Bloomberg story this morning: “The payroll drop in January was revised up to 655,000 from 598,000 and December now… Continue reading
Mar 06 Unemployment Woes Hit Cities, Suburbs Harder than Most of U.S. By Admin, PBS News Hour As the country absorbs the newest round of national unemployment data Friday, the real-world effect in local communities is proving a mixed picture. Continue reading
Mar 05 Watch Other News: Jobless Claims Drop, Homes Plan Advances The number of U.S. workers filing for unemployment benefits dipped to 639,000 last week, and the House of Representatives moved forward on a bankruptcy home loan bill. Also, the president of Sudan expelled more aid organizations after the International Criminal… Continue watching