By James Kwak Peter Orszag wrote an article for the latest Democracy** about political dysfunction and the “looming fiscal showdown” at the end of this year. A lot of it is a warmed-over description of political polarization, although Orszag ignores … Continue reading →
I look at the political landscape and conclude that we’ve got more of the same in front of us. I think Obama will win, and the Republicans will control the legislative side. For the sake of this discussion, assume that is how it works out.
As of …
December 21, 2011
Signs Point to Economy’s Rise, but Experts See a False Dawn
By ANNIE LOWREY
WASHINGTON — As the fourth quarter draws to a close, a spate of unexpectedly good economic data suggests that it will have some of the fastest and stro…
As the year ends, American politics remains mired in the agenda of the right. The House is, at least momentarily, refusing to extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits—two policies genuinely beneficial to the middle class. And the presi…
The Republicans are doing everything they can to block the extension of the payroll tax cut (or are at least holding out for a big gift in return).
But wait. Why?
We thought the Republicans loved tax cuts.
Read more: http://www.businessi…2#ixzz1…
Bruce Bartlett held senior policy roles in the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations and served on the staffs of Representatives Jack Kemp and Ron Paul. He is the author of the forthcoming book “The Benefit and the Burden.”
Last week, th…
Instant view: Obama proposes $447 billion plan to boost economy
On Thursday September 8, 2011, 7:44 pm
NEW YORK (Reuters) – President Barack Obama proposed a $447 billion jobs package on Thursday to help boost the U.S. economy, challenging Congress t…
August 30, 2011
The New Resentment of the Poor
In a decade of frenzied tax-cutting for the rich, the Republican Party just happened to lower tax rates for the poor, as well. Now several of the party’s most prominent presidential candidates and lawma…
There’s already been a bevy of analysts coming out with their forecasts on what the S&P downgrade means for the economy, what it will do to interest rates, other financial institutions, junk borrowers, and other entities somehow connected to the US …
The U.S. economy is half way to a lost decade because demand is in decline and we’re not doing enough to revive it, according to Larry Summers writing for Reuters. It’s the lack of demand, he argues, that’s caused growth to slow to a crawl pace of 1% o…
