Apr 18 How can any elected official do anything about the economy? Question/Comment: How can any elected official do anything about the economy when 90 percent of the budget goes to the military, entitlement programs, earmarks and the national debt? Paul Solman: She or he can vote to spend less (or more)… Continue reading
Apr 18 Citigroup Reports $5.1B Loss, Cuts 9,000 Jobs By Admin, PBS News Hour Citigroup Inc. lost $5.1 billion during the first quarter and will eliminate about 9,000 more jobs, as it suffered the impacts of poor bets on mortgages and shaky credit markets. Continue reading
Apr 17 How much of a drag is the current deficit on GDP growth? Question/Comment: Can you elaborate on the pro and con arguments behind our current account deficit? How much of a drag is it on GDP growth? Paul Solman: Pro: We get to buy more now… Continue reading
Apr 07 If deficit spending stimulates the economy then won't imminent plans to wind down the war and trim spending offset any stimulus packages? Question/Comment: If deficit spending stimulates the economy then won't imminent plans to wind down the war and trim spending offset any stimulus packages? Paul Solman: Hmmm, interesting point: an argument for continuing the war might be its stimulating… Continue reading
Apr 04 Watch Bleak U.S. Economic Outlook Stirs Recession Fears, Candidate Proposals Large jobs loses, stock market tremors and a slumping housing market continued to build fears this week of a recession. NewsHour analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the latest economic developments and reflect on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Continue watching
Apr 04 U.S. Economy Lost 80,000 Jobs in March By Admin, PBS News Hour U.S. employers cut 80,000 jobs in March, the most in five years and the third straight month of losses, according to new Labor Department figures released Friday. Continue reading
Apr 03 Bernanke Defends Fed's Role in Bear Stearns Deal By Admin, PBS News Hour Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke defended Thursday his agency's decision to assist the ailing investment firm Bear Stearns, calling it a move to prevent a corporate collapse that could have reverberated through the U.S. economy. Continue reading
Apr 02 Watch Fed Chairman Bernanke Says Recession Is 'Possible' Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Wednesday told Congress that while the current downturn might be temporary, "a recession is possible."… Continue watching
Apr 02 Economy on Brink of Recession, Bernanke Warns By Admin, PBS News Hour Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned Congress Wednesday that the U.S. economy may continue to shrink -- signaling the possible start of a recession -- in his first testimony since the Fed approved the bailout of investment firm Bear Stearns. Continue reading
Mar 27 Watch John McCain Addresses the Housing Crisis Following is the text of Sen. John McCain's speech on the U.S. economy and housing crisis delivered on March 25 in Santa Ana, Calif. Continue watching