Thursday, December 31, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Colbert On The Fed
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Fed's Dead | ||||
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Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Tough Criticism for Bernanke | PBS NewsHour | Dec. 3, 2009 | PBS
Tough Criticism for Bernanke | PBS NewsHour | Dec. 3, 2009 | PBS
After reading the article and on your own paper, briefly describe five compliments and five criticisms of Ben Bernanke's handling of the financial crisis.
After reading the article and on your own paper, briefly describe five compliments and five criticisms of Ben Bernanke's handling of the financial crisis.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
The U6 Number Has Reached 17.5%
The Labor Department's broader measure of unemployment has surged to 17.5% of the labor force, putting it on par with the worst numbers of any recession since the 1930s. The reality is that the situation will get worse before it improves. With history as our guide, unemployment numbers typically don't peak until well after the trough in the business cycle has been reached. In the aftermath of the recession in 1990-91, unemployment reached its summit 19 months after the official end. That could mean that unemployment will increase throughout all of 2010. Click on the title above to read the details.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Best Places To Be Unemployed
President Obama is likely to sign legislation this week to extend benefits to the unemployed for at least an additional 20 weeks. In the hardest hit states, the jobless can potentially have "enjoyed" up to 99 weeks of aid. But if you click on the title above you'll read of far more generous countries with benefits that make ours look paltry.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
What Was The Real Cause Of This Recession?
Click on the title above to access a debate over the origins of the recession. Most people believe that it's the result of the "paradox of thrift", saving is what killed the economy. But some data may tell us otherwise.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Hip-Hop Econ, The Ten Principles in Rap Form
Click on the title above to access a musical approach to the Ten Key Economic Principles.
Monday, October 26, 2009
McDonald's Pulls Out Of Iceland
Iceland will have to do without the distinct odors of McDonald's as the chain closed its three remaining restaurants in the wake of a currency crisis. Iceland fell victim to the sub-prime mortgage fiasco and now struggles under the weight of massive debt. This has eliminated faith in the Krona and caused its value to plummet. McDonald's requires its store owners to import all meat, potatoes, etc. from Germany and the costs became prohibitive. Click on the title above to access the full story behind this franchises exit.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Tax Porno
For many years it has been the practice of the Norwegian government to release the tax return/income statements of every citizen for transparency reasons. If the public can see the executives salary then its disparity with the norm can be kept in check. Some people use it for mere voyeurism as they pull the covers back on their neighbors and friends. Interestingly, this has been a practice in the U.S. at times in its history. Click on the title above to see how Norwegians feel about the practice and consider whether this should be renewed as a policy here.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The New Untouchables
This is a spectacular essay on the stark realities of the world. Being average doesn't cut it anymore. There's a computer or a worker in another labor market who can cover those jobs more efficiently. If you don't arrive in the future as an innovator and an entrepreneur then you will be the jobless in the phrase "jobless recovery". Our public education system could turn out to be the final straw in the collapse of the American empire, thus no other recovery plan should take precedence.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Food Inc.
Click on the title above to access an interview with the director of a recent documentary on the industrialization of food. While watching the video segment answer the following questions and e-mail the responses to me.
FOOD INC.
1. How has the consolidation of market share in the fast food industry affected everything we eat?
2. What are some of the invisible costs of cheap food?
3. How widespread is the presence of corn throughout our lifestyle?
4. What role does economics play in bad eating habits of Americans?
5. What factors in the industrialization of food play a role in making our food system dangerous to our health?
6. What can you do to change our food system?
FOOD INC.
1. How has the consolidation of market share in the fast food industry affected everything we eat?
2. What are some of the invisible costs of cheap food?
3. How widespread is the presence of corn throughout our lifestyle?
4. What role does economics play in bad eating habits of Americans?
5. What factors in the industrialization of food play a role in making our food system dangerous to our health?
6. What can you do to change our food system?
You Thought We Had Problems?
There is grave concern over the bulging U.S. Federal debt we're amassing in light of this recent economic crisis. But ours pales in comparison to the debt currently saddling the country of Japan. If you click on the title you'll access an article that estimates its debt at twice the size of their GDP. The U.S. debt presently matches the nation's GDP. The Japanese have been mired in a recession for the better part of two decades.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Real-time Twitter Trends
You guys know you love your Twitter and you wait anxiously for every tweet. Have you ever wondered what the rest of North America is tweeting about? Well, your wait is over. Click on the title above to acess a real-time map of North America with constantly updated clues as to what is being discussed in your town, region, country, and continent. Wow, life just got a whole lot better.
SNL On Obama's Accomplishments
Click on the title above to read a rebuttal to the satire's assertion.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Scroogenomics:Why You Shouldn't Buy Presents for the Holidays
Christmas is a time of seasonal cheer, family get-togethers, holiday parties, and-gift giving. Lots and lots--and lots--of gift giving. It's hard to imagine any Christmas without this time-honored custom. But let's stop to consider the gifts we receive--the rooster sweater from Grandma or the singing fish from Uncle Mike. How many of us get gifts we like? How many of us give gifts not knowing what recipients want? Did your cousin really look excited about that jumping alarm clock? Lively and informed, Scroogenomics illustrates how our consumer spending generates vast amounts of economic waste--to the shocking tune of eighty-five billion dollars each winter. Economist Joel Waldfogel provides solid explanations to show us why it's time to stop the madness and think twice before buying gifts for the holidays. When we buy for ourselves, every dollar we spend produces at least a dollar in satisfaction, because we shop carefully and purchase items that are worth more than they cost. Gift giving is different. We make less-informed choices, max out on credit to buy gifts worth less than the money spent, and leave recipients less than satisfied, creating what Waldfogel calls "deadweight loss." Waldfogel indicates that this waste isn't confined to Americans--most major economies share in this orgy of wealth destruction. While recognizing the difficulties of altering current trends, Waldfogel offers viable gift-giving alternatives. By reprioritizing our gift-giving habits, Scroogenomics proves that we can still maintain the economy without gouging our wallets, and reclaim the true spirit of the holiday season.
Airline Pilots Used To Be "Gods"
If you ever saw the movie "Catch Me If You Can", you'll remember that pilots used to be a cut above the rest of us in the eyes of society. The recent heroic landing of the plane on the Hudson river reminded us of the skills experienced pilots have. How far the mighty have fallen. Click on the title above to read about the pedestrian conditions they now work under.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
You're Almost Always Near A McDonald's
Click on the title above to gaze at an amazing map and read about one man's study of urban sprawl. You'll notice from the article that if you are a Archiphobic the best place to live is South Dakota.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Everything's Amazing and Nobody's Happy
Click on the title above to access a video segment from Conan O'Brien's show. A funny segment on how spoiled we are in this amazing world. The comedian is Louis CK.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The Uneducated American
Our nation is in crisis, how can a nation thrive when it's three most essential fundamentals are teetering? Housing has imploded, health care is unaffordable, and our nation's education system doesn't have the resources or the vision to deliver. This is the formula for an "opportunity apartheid" that will rip at the nation's social fabric. Click on the title above to read of the straits public education finds itself in.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Are You Surprised That President Obama Won The Nobel Peace Prize?
I believe it's not an exaggeration to say that the choice was a major surprise. Having only been President for 9 months, he's initiated some efforts but they have yet to reap tangible rewards. Click on the title above to read one man's opinion and weigh in on what this might mean for Obama's effectiveness forward.
The Worst Unemployment In The Country
Click on the title above for a video segment chronicling the devastating unemployment in Elkhart, Indiana. The unfortunate consequence when you become a one industry town.
Less Money, Mo Problems
The video piece describes the recent de-blinging trend in the Rap music industry and an artist has composed a rhyme expressing his dismay.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Slim Thug's Music Video - Still a Boss | ||||
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America's Saving Rate Highest In Fifteen Years
New numbers released indicate that Americans are currently saving, on average, 6.9% of their after tax income. In recent times that's very high, but if you click on the title above you'll discover that in the last 50 years it's merely average. Pay particular notice to the graph and the depths we reached just a few short years ago.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Workplace Suicides Spark French Outcry
FT.com / Europe - Workplace suicides spark French outcry
Shared via AddThis
In a high profile example of the strain workers dwell under in transitional times, there have been an unusually high rash of suicides at the French telecom company. Click on the link above and decide whether this is a true crisis or primadonna. Though that may sound cold, a look deeper into the company finds that phone workers in France have a lot more job security than American telecom workers.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Hair Dyeing Fad Reflects Recession
Dyed hair is making a comeback. L'Oréal, the world's no.1 hair dye manufacturer, saw the sales of its hair color products surge some 30 percent in September compared to a year earlier. The sales of unusual dye including red, copper and metallic colors soared 47 percent. Experts make connections between the trend and the recession. A beauty specialist said people seek to escape reality in a recession, and dyed hair offers a kind of fantasy image. During the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis, dyed hair was also fashionable. More middle-aged people also dye their hair in an effort, experts say, to look younger and stand a better chance in the depressed job market.
It is a global phenomenon. The U.K. Telegraph called the phenomenon a "gold rush" and quoted celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton as saying that many people are dyeing their hair blond to find an antidote to the depression. In the U.S., the term "hair dye index" was newly coined to show the link between the economy and dyeing hair. People's hair color becomes lighter as economy worsens. Hair dye is a counter-cyclical economic indicator which is roughly synonymous with an inferior good.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Environmentalists Put Your Butt On The Line
Why is this bear dancing? No more plush toilet paper say environmentalists who claim our old growth forests are being wiped out for a softer wipe. Click on the title above to read more.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
In Florida, Vestiges Of The Boom
in-florida-vestiges-of-the-boom.html: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance
Florida is riddled with symbols of a building bust of unprecedented proportions. The half finished condominium projects throughout South Florida speak to the crazed speculation that fueled the development. The chips are now falling as the FDIC came calling on Friday and took over Corus bank of Chicago, a significant accelerant to the raging fire of construction. The fear is real that this is the beginning of a second wave of failures, this time in commercial properties. When the second shoe drops, will the government have the resources to contain the virus? Click on the link above to read more about this impending problem.
Florida is riddled with symbols of a building bust of unprecedented proportions. The half finished condominium projects throughout South Florida speak to the crazed speculation that fueled the development. The chips are now falling as the FDIC came calling on Friday and took over Corus bank of Chicago, a significant accelerant to the raging fire of construction. The fear is real that this is the beginning of a second wave of failures, this time in commercial properties. When the second shoe drops, will the government have the resources to contain the virus? Click on the link above to read more about this impending problem.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
More Americans Poor, Fewer Insured: Census Bureau
Median household incomes fell by in 2008 by 3.6 percent, to $50,303, the U.S. Census Bureau reports. The poverty rate rose to 13.2 percent, up by 0.7. Some 39.8 million people were classed among the poor last year, up by 2.6 million. The ranks of Americans without health insurance grew to 46.3 million, from 45.7 million -- a small enough increase to leave the percentage unchanged at 15.4 percent. Unpack the rest of the numbers in the Census Bureau's annual report on income, poverty and health insurance, including the news that 31 percent of the population fell into poverty for at least two months at some point between 2004 and 2007.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Consumer Borrowing Falls By Biggest Amount On Record
That giant snapping sound must have been your wallets closing. Americans slashed their borrowing in July by the largest amount on record, according to new numbers from the Federal Reserve. People pulled back on debt at a yearly pace of 10.4 percent, and that's after a 7.4 percent annualized drop in June. All told, Americans borrowed $21.6 billion less in July than they had in June, the biggest one-month drop since records began in 1943. Not even Cash for Clunkers could stop the rapid draining of credit. Demand for non-revolving credit used to finance cars, vacations, education and other things fell by $15.4 billion, also a record decline. That 11.7 percent pace was on top of an 8 percent annualized decline in June. This economic crisis has been described as a crisis caused by too much leveraging (or borrowing) followed a painfully rapid deleveraging (in which debtors either pay off what they owe or creditors give up collecting). It's also a crisis of over consumption followed by a painfully steep decline in consumer demand. In today's numbers from the Fed, those twin factors meet. Total consumer credit now stands at $2.47 trillion.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Why College Costs Rise Even During A Recession
It's an inexplicable phenomenon, the price of college increases every year regardless of the economy's health. If it's any consolation, this year's increase will be the smallest in memory. There are some interesting traditions and standards in the academic field that keep colleges from being as efficient as they can be. Likewise, there are services that most institutions offer that add extensively to the price tag. While Harvard and Yale will always be subscribed to and state universities have done a good job in keeping school affordable, the mid-tier university is at a crossroads. Click on the link above to discover the predicament and the age old systems that are now being questioned.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Economics Of Fairy Tales
Familiar fairy tales often have solid economic messages in their story lines. Not many people realize the allegoric connections with the Wizard of Oz but most of your bedtime memories from childhood were laced with basic fundamental concepts that would serve you well. Click on the link above to reconnect with your youth and find out how informed you really were.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
How To Quit Facebook
You have to admit, Facebook has morphed into a creepy destination for voyeurs and inane little vessels of drivel. Ween yourself, man....it'll be the best thing you ever did for your sanity and intellect. Click on the link above to discover the eight steps to emancipation.
The Sunshine State Is Shrinking!!
For the first time in 100 years Florida's population is shrinking. The calamitous economy has hit the state hard and there are now 58,000 fewer residents willing to wait for a recovery. Unfortunately, the state has a strong dependency on growth but that formula no longer works. The dwindling numbers and the growing allure of staycations means that the state's primary revenue sources, property and sales taxes, will no longer serve as an adequate engine. Broward County seems to be the hardest hit as people abandon their dreams and homes are foreclosed. Click on the link above to learn more about this bucking of the trend and the impact it will have on our psyche and the quality of life.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
The Depression Mentality Sinks In
The one thing the world needs right now is not "love, love, love" but spending, spending, spending. But the reluctance of Americans to do so could result in a very slow recovery. Click on the title above to read more about this ambivalence and the drag it weighs on optimism.
Friday, August 28, 2009
The Midwest Kicks Butt On The SAT
Click on the title above to access some interesting correlations related to the S.A.T.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Madonna Defends Roma, Gets Jeers
I wouldn't normally post something about Madonna, but I was struck by the 19th century reaction to a 21st century problem. Roma are gypsies of Indian sub-continent decent who number in the millions throughout Europe. Their presence is greatest in Romania where Madonna played a concert recently. At one point she paused to speak out about the discrimination and violence faced by Roma only to be booed into submission. Click on the link above to discover more about these nomadic people and the subjugation they've faced for centuries.
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