Jul 16 How is the U.S. Savings Rate Determined? Question: How is the U.S. savings rate, which has gone from near zero percent in the past to 6.9 percent recently, determined? And a more elaborate question: Is it truly the difference between what is earned and what is… Continue reading
Jul 14 Simon Johnson on China and the U.S. Economy By Business Desk Paul Solman: The second in this week’s series of video exchanges with Simon Johnson of the Peterson Institute of Economics, MIT, and (formerly) the IMF, concerns China. Continue reading
Apr 24 Watch In Slumping Economy, a Shift in Shopping Habits Economics correspondent Paul Solman speaks with author Paco Underhill about how consumer habits have changed during this recession. Continue watching
Apr 16 In Case You Missed It: The Paradox of Thrift Editor’s Note: On last night’s NewsHour, Paul examined the paradox of thrift. Here’s MIT’s Simon Johnson explaining the phenomenon in the segment: SIMON… Continue reading
Apr 15 Watch Paul Solman Breaks Down The ‘Paradox of Thrift’ During the economic downturn, the American savings rate is rising fast, with some unexpected consequences. Paul Solman examines how the economy might suffer when thrifty consumers decide to save their money instead of spending it. Continue watching
Apr 15 Are Americans Becoming Savers? Tonight’s NewsHour features a piece called “The Paradox of Thrift.” The phrase refers to the potential downsides of squirreling money away, especially if all of us do it at once. While saving is often a good thing – and something… Continue reading
Apr 07 Why Is Deflation Bad? Question: Why is deflation so bad? I have certainly benefited from the drop in gas prices, so I wonder what is wrong with things becoming cheaper in general? And wouldn’t that make up for previous inflation? Paul Solman: Another good… Continue reading
Apr 02 Watch Boehner Gives the GOP Take on Budget Plan, Government Spending House Minority leader John Boehner offers the GOP view on President Obama's budget, and describes the House GOP's alternative proposal. Continue watching
Apr 02 Watch Pelosi Details Partisan Wrangling Over Final Budget Blueprint As Congress takes action on President Obama's budget plan, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi offers her perspective on lawmakers' spending priorities and how alternative budget proposals have fared in the debate. Continue watching
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