Amid nationwide dissatisfaction with the economy, Time Magazine's "Person of the Year" Ben Bernanke faces some opposition in Congress as he looks to serve another term as Federal Reserve chairman. Kwame Holman reports, and then Jim Lehrer speaks with economic…
In other news, thousands of Iranian protesters clashed with police in the streets of Tehran on the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Embassy takeover, and the U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether prosecutors can be sued for damages.
Judy Woodruff speaks with journalists about federal deficit projections and President Obama's nomination of Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke for a second term.
Question: I often hear that WWII finally ended the Great Depression. How can it be that a relatively short war (WWII) was so helpful to the economy but…
The Fed decided Wednesday to keep short-term interest rates at a record low to help stabilize the economy. Jeffrey Brown speaks with a Washington Post reporter about the economic outlook.
Paul Solman: Tonight on the NewsHour, we’re airing a piece exploring the suspicions some people have about the Federal Reserve and the the Fed’s efforts to be more transparent. Amid all the talk of auditing the Fed or having…
The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that the recession is easing, but that the U.S. economy likely will remain fragile and limit the threat of inflation.
Question: I am confused about the cause/effect relationship between inflation and interest rates. Many economic talking heads claim that interest rates will rise if present monetary policy produces inflation. But the principle of supply and demand suggests that if…
Question: What were the causes and circumstances that led to the high interest rates in the 80’s? Was it inability to effect a change or inaction in addressing the issue? Paul Solman: If by “interest rates” you mean the rate…
Question/Comment: Repeatedly, the Fed has lowered interest rates, and repeatedly, the market has responded, and repeatedly, it has continued its downward trend. It is obvious that that does not work. Do they want simply to lower interest rates and find…
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