Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Greece and the EU: Battle for the (third) bailout

http://www.economist.com/blogs/charlemagne/2012/11/greece-and-eu Due 19 November 2012. What problems in Greece have led to a bailout by the EU? Why is the EU's anger increasing? What solutions do you propose?

The Devil They Know

http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2012/11/asia-and-obama-victory Due 19 November 2012. Why is Asia glad that Obama won reelection? Why did Pakistan want a Romney victory?

Friday, November 9, 2012

Krugman Tells Obama: Don't Make A Deal

http://www.businessinsider.com/krugman-on-the-fiscal-cliff-2012-11. Due 13 November 2012. What will happen if we "fall off" the fiscal cliff?? Why does Krugman take the position that a "deal" is bad for America? How do you think this situation should be handled? (Use economic knowledge in your answers)

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

U.S. fiscal cliff risks dragging global economy into darkness

http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/07/business/opinion-dadush-obama-economy/ Due 13 November 2012. What is the fiscal cliff? What issues to be eliminated (if we default) are of greatest concern to you? (be sure to do the second article for this week as well)

Economy That Boosted Obama Looks Nothing Like 2008’s

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-11-06/obama-re-elected-with-economy-nothing-like-2008-s Due 13 November 2012. According to the article, what are the differences between the economy of 2008 and 2012? How are forecasters (such as the Fed) viewing the future economy in the US?

Monday, November 5, 2012

Florida, The Richest Prize of All

http://www.economist.com/node/21562969 .....Due 5 Nov 2012. What makes Florida such a "rich prize" in the electoral college? What specific demographics in Florida are changing the way Floridians vote?

Friday, October 26, 2012

Spanish Unemployment Rate Hits New Peak

http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/26/news/economy/spain-unemployment-rate/  Due 29 Oct 2012.   What is to blame for this extreme unemployment rate?   Should the European Union be responsible for the problems faced in Spain (or its other members)?

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Lies, Damned Lies and the 7.8 Unemployment Rate

http://www.businessinsider.com/john-williams-on-lies-damned-lies-and-the-78-unemployment-rate-2012-10   Due 15 October 2012. Comment on the author's interpretation of the unemployment rate. Make sure you also comment on the second blog post.

The Truth About Jobs

http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/unemployment/   Due 15 Oct 2012. Why does Paul Krugman state that we should be cautious even after the new unemployment numbers of 7.8 came out? Why should we be optimistic?

Friday, September 28, 2012

Drizzle and Drought

http://www.economist.com/node/21563304 Due 1 October 2012.  This article describes basic supply and demand concepts.  Discuss the back-end costs and benefits of the olive oil industry.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Ben Bernanke's Heavy Artillery

http://business.time.com/2012/09/14/ben-bernankes-heavy-artillery-will-open-ended-bond-buying-drive-down-unemployment/    
Due 24 September 2012.   What are the three parts of QE3?   How does this plan differ from QE1 and QE2?    Do you believe this plan will help the economy?  What alternatives would you offer if you were in a leadership position?

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Asia's Next Revolution

http://www.economist.com/node/21562195    Due 18 September 2012. What are "lessons from the west" from which Asia is learning? Cite specific instances of agreement or disagreement with the articles' content. Why would Asia want to mimic socialism rather than capitalism??

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

End-of-Term Report

http://www.economist.com/node/21561909 Due 10 Sep 2012. What does The Economist say about Obama's record? Do you agree or disagree? As always, discuss from an economics perspective.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Personal Income: More Than Your Paycheck

Personal Income: More Than Your Paycheck  Due 27 August 2012.   Welcome to MEACHONOMICS!!   Look at the graph and discuss its' meaning.   What are the components of "income" according to BEA?   AND.....What are they NOT telling you?   IOW......What economic factors will affect the purchasing power of your paycheck?

Personal Income: More Than Your Paycheck

Due 27 August 2012.   Welcome to MEACHONOMICS 2012-13!!!    Look at the graph in the article.   What is it telling you?   What are the components of "income" according to BEA?  AND......What are they not telling you?   IOW.....What elements of the economy will affect your paycheck in such a way as to affect your purchasing power?

Friday, April 27, 2012

Fed: Near-zero Interest to Stay Amid Halt to Bond Buying

Fed: Near-zero Interest RatesDue 4 May 2012.   You now have the tools to answer this one.   Do you agree or disagree with Bernanke's evaluation of the economy?   Do you agree with zero-interest rates?   What alternate strategies could be used?

Friday, April 20, 2012

50 Amazing Facts about Todays Economy

Due 27 April 2012. Which facts do you find most interesting and why???

Monday, April 9, 2012

Why Did My Wedding Dress Cost So Much?

Due 13 April 2012. What resources did you give up to get it??? What is your opportunity cost of a big wedding?

What America Buys

Due 13 Apr 2012. What do you think of your budgeting abilities? Where do you cut?