Mar 11 Japan’s Earthquake, Tsunami: What We’re Reading on Economic Impact By Elizabeth Shell Editor's Note: Paul Solman is traveling today but we here at Making Sen$e wanted to share a list of reports we've been following on the financial impact of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Though it's too… Continue reading
Mar 10 ProPublica’s Mortgage Mod Squad: HAMP’S a Flop By Paul Solman As you've probably heard by now, either on our program or elsewhere, the administration's Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP for short) has been a disappointment -- to put it generously. The program, announced back in February 2009, was aimed… Continue reading
Mar 09 The Public Worker Battle, Cartoonified By Paul Solman With all the strife over public-sector unions, including irate e-mails in response to our pension coverage on the program, we thought we'd lighten the mood by sharing some recent political cartoons. Continue reading
Mar 08 Making Sen$e Tool$ Tuesday: Tips For Lessening the Pinch at the Pump By Paul Solman You may have noticed that gas prices are up rather dramatically, in tandem with the drama in the Middle East and North Africa. No coincidence, obviously. The fear of supply disruptions, sabotaged wells, and turmoil in general have… Continue reading
Mar 07 More Thoughts on Latest Jobless Numbers, Mexico’s Drug War By Paul Solman February's 192,000 net new jobs breaks down into 222,000 jobs added in the private sector and 30,000 jobs dropped by government. This provides evidence for one side of the economic policy debate of the moment, you could… Continue reading
Mar 04 February Unemployment Numbers: Good, But Don’t Pop the Champagne By Paul Solman The unemployment numbers for February are in, and though economist Peter Morici advises, "Don't Break Out the Champagne Just Yet," the data are encouraging. There are two separate surveys, remember - of "establishments" (places that employ… Continue reading
Mar 03 Making Sen$e: ‘Feelin’ Lousy’ – Financially Groovy In Song By Paul Solman EDITOR'S NOTE: Last month, we featured a week-long series of songs by our country crooning friend Merle Hazard about the Euro-debt crisis: Spain, Ireland, Italy and Germany, and an encore of the infamous… Continue reading
Mar 02 Making Sen$e: Earth to Paul- Wisconsin is Not Rhode Island! By Paul Solman EDITOR'S NOTE: Paul has spent the past few days responding to some of the many questions and comments we received regarding last week's broadcast story, "In Tiny Rhode Island, a Massive Public Pension Crisis Looms" and the Making Sen$e… Continue reading
Mar 01 Making Sen$e: How States Have Responded to the Pension Crunch By Paul Solman EDITOR'S NOTE: We received a number of responses from viewers like you regarding last week's broadcast story, "In Tiny Rhode Island, a Massive Public Pension Crisis Looms" and the Making Sen$e web piece, "Paying For Public… Continue reading
Feb 28 Save the Pensions: Tax the Rich By Paul Solman EDITOR'S NOTE: We received a number of responses from viewers like you regarding last week's broadcast story, "In Tiny Rhode Island, a Massive Public Pension Crisis Looms" and the Making Sen$e web piece, "Paying For Public… Continue reading