Using the 2004 National Annenberg Election Survey (a large super-poll of the American public) I can create a political map of self-described political opinion in 2 dimensions: fiscal and social conservatism/liberalism. We also have data …

The economic downturn from 2007 through 2010 has cost this economy millions of jobs across all economic sectors. From December 2007 to March 2010 the economy only actually produced jobs twice – most recently in …

We have heard for months that the sky is falling and the American economy is on the verge of collapse. The Bush administration warned of an economic Armageddon if its Wall Street bailout wasn’t approved …

Facing serious budget shortfalls over the next two years, many state and local governments are getting creative and considering proposals that would completely restructure government.
With stimulus programs that have padded states’ bottom lines for the …

The economic downturn in the United States has had many casualties across the American economy. Unemployment today is nearly double where it was at the beginning of the financial recession, and it is likely to …

High-paying manufacturing jobs are rapidly disappearing, only to be replaced by low-paying, and oftentimes menial, service sector jobs that produce absolutely nothing of value, according to the U.S. Labor Department’s 2009 Occupational Employment and Wages …

The WSJ led this morning with The Dow’s Worst May Since ‘40, but finished with a ray of hope: “a big drop in May has often been followed by double-digit gains over the next three months.” …

Damon produces another high quality article that is on target in terms of the problem, the people behind it, and in terms of the solution – Freedom’s Vision.
And just to piggyback on Damon’s Ben Bernanke …

On Friday May 28, 2010 the Commerce Department released updated figures for consumer spending in April. According to CNNMoney.com, individual consumer spending was up just 0.1 percent – about $4 billion. This figure was far less …

Ohio could soon be the beneficiary of a new electric car battery factory and the 1,000 skilled-manufacturing jobs that come with it, but the technology was developed in China and the plant would be operated …

Consumer spending was flat last month, even though income was up in April. A sign of things to come? A sampling of reaction from the punditocracy…
“The good news is that households are making …

The United States is in open competition with the same countries from which we buy our goods and finance our government. These countries supply our consumption while simultaneously competing fiercely against our companies in international …

Journalist Steve Sailer made the important point that white fertility was substantially higher in Red States than Blue States, something he calls “The Baby Gap”. I would like to update and expand on his insight.
First, here …

Markets closed decisively lower headed into a holiday weekend. Losses were pared midday despite a downgrade of Spain’s credit rating by Fitch that was seen as lagging to action already taken by S&P, but stocks …

BAC – Bank of America Corp. – Activity in out-of-the-money call options on Bank of America in the first half of the trading session appears to be the work of an investor taking profits …

American mayors are converging on Capitol Hill Friday to rally support for a piece of legislation to help cities, towns and counties contend with budget deficits. Proponents say the bill would help to save or …

This is an article about Simon, just not the Simon most American Idol viewers immediately think of.  Of course, last night’s season finale of American Idol was a farewell to the likable curmudgeon judge Simon …

Americans should not fear a national industrial policy that promotes manufacturing, nor should they view such a program as protectionism, according to Clyde Prestowitz, author of The Betrayal of American Prosperity.
While most of America’s competitors …

Stocks are moving lower in afternoon trading on the report that Fitch Ratings lowered its credit rating on Spain, which is helping exacerbate euro-area fears and pressure the euro. The equity markets are extending early …

U.S. commercial banks and nondeposit trust companies continued to face significant challenges in 2009, according to a May article in the Federal Reserve Bulletin. Among the challenges were deteriorating asset quality, a decline in lending …

Google’s (GOOG) stock has been punished thus far in calendar 2010 falling more than 20% from its 52-week high.  Some of that can be blamed on the recent correction, but with the broad market indexes …

US stocks are under pressure following yesterday’s steep advance as traders may be booking some profits possibly in an attempt to get a jump on the Memorial Day holiday weekend. A flat reading on personal …

This morning’s update on personal spending and income for April raises as many questions as it answers.

First the good news. Disposable personal income rose strongly last month, posting a 0.5% gain in April, the fastest …

Over at The Economist there is an interesting discussion surrounding the future of the Eurozone. Today Barry Eichengreen weighed in and made the case that the dollar zone in the United States will break …

The push by financial services and insurance companies to establish new offshore operations leveled off in 2009. At the same time, firms seeking cost reductions show greater interest in contracting with large international service providers …

Must be nice – no matter how underfunded your pension is or unrealistic the benefit is compared to those of the peon class who must deal with (mostly self funded) 401ks, Congress is willing to …