This Slump Won't End Until 2031

Due 2 Jan 2012. Why does Mathew Lyons predict 2031 as an end to this recession?? What economic indicators is he using as a basis for his analysis? What are your own predictions?

Econ4 OWS

Due 2 Jan 2011. Listen, read, whose name(s) do you recognize on the list??

Gov Scott Signs Sweeping Insurance Policy Changes into Law

Due 2 Jan 2011. Read this article then read the next article on the list. Write your comments on the next blog.

Gov Scott Signs Property Insurance

Due 2 Jan 2011. Analyze and discuss how this rewrite of insurance practices will affect you in acquiring property insurance. What types of things do you need to know when you determine the type of policy inclusions you buy? Does this bill help consumers or the insurance industry? If we help the insurance industry, does it help Florida citizens?

A Conspiracy of Hogs: The McRib as Arbitrage

Due 9 Dec 2011. Read the article and analyze the graph. Illustrate the meaning of arbitrage. What is a loss leader? Explain the economics concepts the author discusses in the article. Do you agree or disagree with the author's POV?

Justice Dept: Alabama Immigration Law Complicating Enforcement

Due 2 December 2011. Compare the two articles on the new Alabama Immigration law. In the next blog spot (for the next article) write your response to the questions posed.

How Alabama's Immigration Law is Crippling its' Farms

Due 2 December 2011. Compare the two articles on the new Alabama Immigration law.

What are the hazards of implementing this law? Be sure to indicate POV (point of view) from the farmers? police? economy? local budgeting? community?

What are the positive points of this law? (POV)

In your opinion, determine if the law should be continued or repealed? In other words, do the costs outweigh the benefits?

How the GOP Became the Party of the Rich

Due November 28, 2011. What are the economic realities of what the GOP proposes? How does the creative slashing of specific taxes benefit the wealthiest 1%? How do these slashed taxes benefit the middle class?

The Globalization of Protest

Due November 18, 2011. Joseph Stiglitz speaks about inequality and the 1% vs. the 99%. Why does he say, "The rise in inequality is the product of a vicious spiral....."? What is wrong with the system???

Paul Krugman, Larry Summers Take Their Corners for Munk Debate

Due November 18, 2011. How do Krugman and Summers agree? On what policies do they disagree? In your opinion, who makes the better argument.

The Globalization of Protest

Due 11 Nov 2011. Nobel Prize Economist Joseph Stiglitz relates his analysis on the OWS protests. He discusses contrast between overregulated democracy and unregulated bankers. How do you evaluate this discussion?? Should income equality become a goal of the capitalist system?? What steps should be taken to solve the problem, if any??

Panic of the Plutocrats!!

Due 21 Oct 2011. Is it effective to occupy Wall Street? Does Krugman view this as an effective way to affect change? What is the reaction of the right? How do you view the reality of these demonstrations on the economic stability of our country?

Recession Finally Over!!

Due 21 Oct 2011. What indicators do these economists cite when they remark "the recession is over?" Review at least 3.

Be Afraid!

Due October 14, 2011. According to the article, what does Europe have to fear?? How does the author believe the world leaders should respond to the looming crisis?

The Mortgage Fix That Could Stroke Spending

Due Sept 30, 2011. Does the American dream include home ownership? What should happen to the people who can't pay their mortgage?? Should the US taxpayers be responsible for people who can't pay their mortgages?? How should the US government handle the mortgage crisis to stabilize the economy??

G7 Countries Announce Joint Currency Intervention

Due September 23, 2011. What is the G7? Why are many of the world's currencies in trouble? What needs to be done??

The Economy since 9-11

Due Sep 19, 2011. What are the 2 most striking changes to our economy since that day? Which items do you feel absolutely need to be reversed? What item is the most important? Which item is least important?

Is Social Security a Ponzi Scheme?

Due September 19, 2011. What is a ponzi scheme? Why does Rick Perry think SS is a ponzi scheme? After reading the article, what do you think??

If Supermarkets were like Public Schools

For grade due 13 May 2011. What if the military were like supermarkets?? Then everyone could have their own private army??? Where do you stand on this issue? Are some things inherently "public"? Does education fit into those guidelines??

The Economics of Osama's Death

For grade on 6 May 2011. Was Bin Laden successful in his attempt to destroy the US economy? What changes were made to the US economy because of the 9/11 attack??

What's Wrong With America's Economy?

For grade 6 May 2011. Are the worries of the American people justified? What will happen if an impasse results on the budget in Congress? How do we get people working again? How do we keep up with China??

Benton Harbor Takeover Sparks Furious Reaction

For grade due 29 April 2011. Is this government takeover morally justified? Legally justified? What are the economic implications of disenfranchising specific populations?

Federal Tax Receipt

For period ended 28 April 2011. What changes would you make on spending??

Super rich see federal taxes drop dramatically

For period ended 22 April 2011. So who is paying the taxes these days?? Do the rich need more tax cuts?? Does the middle class need more tax cuts?? What would be your remedy for job creation and balancing the budget??? (good luck on this one!!)

House Passes Ryan's Controversial Budget Plan

For grade ending 4/22/2011. What parts of this plan do you agree with? Disagree? From an ECONOMICS standpoint, what are the backend costs of implementing this budget agreement?

Treasury targets middle-class child benefits in spending cut plans

For grade due 22 April 2011. How do these spending cuts compare to the cuts needed in the U.S.? What are the back-end costs of depriving children of care? The government ministers in UK are taking a 5% pay cut. Should Congress take a 5% pay cut?

Foreign Banks Tapped Fed's Lifeline Most as Bernanke Kept Borrowers Secret

For grade on 8 Apr 2011. OMG....What is going on???!!!??? Why would the Fed consider helping other countries when we have our own problems? What is the Federal Discount Window and why are other countries using it???

What the Top U.S. Companies Pay in Taxes

For grade due April 1, 2011. How do we attract companies to pay their taxes in this country rather than others? "They" say if we lower tax rates then jobs will be created? Where? The Obama administration has proposed doing away with tax deferrals on overseas income. Is this fair?

Will Japan's Quake rock the World's Economy?

For grade due 3/25/2011. So what do you think? How will devastation in the world's third largest economy affect the economy in other countries? How will this affect supply? Demand? Exports? GDP? Investment?

CBO Projects Social Security Will Be Drained By 2037: Do You Think The Next Generation Will See a Solvent Social Security System?

For grade 11 March 2011. So...should we let grandma die alone in a cold room? What can be done to revive the system? Or do we want to? What can YOU do to assure a secure retirement for yourself??

Why Budget Cuts Don't Bring Prosperity

For grade 11 Mar 2011. According to this author, Germany's "boom" didn't last long. From the data in this article, what economic cycles are on the horizon for Germany?

Teaching Quality and Bargaining

For grade ended 4 March 2011. Why would be the back-end reasoning as to why the statistics bear out that the states with "no collective bargaining" have the lowest test scores? What will happen to teachers if these rights are abolished?

German Rival Buys New York Stock Exchange

For grade on 25 Feb 2011. What are the implications of a German Company owning the NYSE?

Egypt Rises Up

Due 18 Feb 2010......From an economic perspective, why does the author feel this is a time for celebration? What are the economic advantages of a democratic Egypt?

Nobel Prize Winning Columnist Offers Perspective on Economy

For grades due Feb 18,2010. What is Krugman's suggestion for improving the economy? Why do you agree or disagree?