China's GDP Growth Slows to 7.5% in Second Quarter

http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323394504578606542026177274 DUE 26 JAN 2015. What is the reason for China's slowing growth?? How will this affect the US economy? What percentage of US GDP is attributed to consumption? Why is China's transition from socialist to capitalist a difficult one?

No Child Left Behind Rewrite Should Limit Standardized Testing, Duncan Says

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/12/no-child-left-behind-2015_n_6453092.html. DUE 20 Jan 2015. What is/are the major focus of NCLB?? Why does the Obama Administration want to rewrite the legislation? What major changes would be implemented? WHY is this legislation a problem to teachers and students? What future economic issues are likely to result from the quality of education in the United States (ie. NCLB)???

Russia Entering 'Full-Fledged Economic Crisis'

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/22/russia-crisis-idUSL6N0U61L320141222. DUE 12 January 2015. What are the predominant reasons for Russia's economic woes? What does the term "junk" refer to in this article? What will be the impact of inflation for the Russian economy?

As oil prices plunge, wide-ranging effects for consumers and the global economy

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/as-oil-prices-plunge-wide-ranging-effects-for-consumers-and-the-global-economy/2014/12/01/904984b2-7971-11e4-9a27-6fdbc612bff8_story.html DUE 8 DECEMBER 2014...(ONE OF TWO). How much have oil prices declined in the past 7 months? Why have they declined?? What actions did OPEC take?? What are 3 economic advantages of an oil price decline? What are 3 economic disadvantages of an oil price decline? Predict the future economic impact of symbiotic industries as these price declines affect the macro-economy.

Russia Warns of Recession in 2015

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-30288739 DUE 8 DECEMBER 2014 (one of two). What are the reasons for Russia's decline into recession? How does oil factor into Russia's problems? Make certain you write the second blog.

The Racist Housing Policies That Helped Fuel Anger in Ferguson

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/08/14/3471237/ferguson-housing-segregation/ DUE 1 DECEMBER 2014. What is segregation? What does the term REDLINING mean and how did this affect black families in Missouri? According to this article, how is this racial segregation is affecting the economics of this community? What is YOUR solution to this problem?

The State of the U.S. Labor Market: Pre-October 2014 Jobs Release

https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/news/2014/10/02/98227/the-state-of-the-u-s-labor-market-pre-october-2014-jobs-release/ DUE 24 NOV 2014. What does it mean "not in the labor force"(use economic understanding)? Who is working, who is not, and why? What is the average weeks unemployed and what is happening to this number?? What does the declining real wages data show about the overall economy?

Everybody's Quitting Their Job Now

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/13/quit-rate-job-openings-jolts_n_6152170.html. DUE 17 NOV 2014. Why is "everybody" quitting their job? Is this a good sign or a bad sign for the US economy?

Oregon's Cheap Legal Weed Could Starve Washington's Market

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/01/oregon-legal-weed_n_6084208.html DUE 10 NOV 2014. Using the Laws of Supply and Demand, discuss the issues involved with Oregon passing legislation for recreational marijuana. How will government intervention affect the marijuana markets in Washington? How will government intervention affect the marijuana markets in Oregon? How does this lead to the creation (or sustainability) of black markets?

5 Things About Slavery You Probably Didn't Learn In Social Studies: A Short Guide To 'The Half Has Never Been Told'

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6000848530940859916#editor/target=post;postID=3300013069556952844 DUE 3 NOV 2014--ALSO DO NEXT BLOG AS WELL...you have 2 blogs this week. What do you believe is the most interesting of the 5 points made in this article? How did slavery aid the economy of the north? According to Baptiste, why did slavery end in America? What did you learn regarding cause and effect from this article?

Plutocrats Against Democracy

http://seattletimes.com/html/opinion/2024865485_paulkrugmancolumnplutocratshongkong26xml.html DUE 3 NOV 2014. What reasons does Krugman state to support the claim that the wealthy fear democracy? What tactics do they use to relate this belief to the public? What is their goal? Do you believe that their fears are correct? Why or why not.

China's Economy Just Overtook The U.S. In One Key Measure

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/08/china-gdp-tops-us_n_5951374.html. DUE 20 OCT 2015. What is the one key measure that allowed China to be number one? What is purchasing power parity and why does it matter?

How Increasing Income Inequality Is Dampening U.S. Economic Growth, And Possible Ways To Change The Tide

https://www.globalcreditportal.com/ratingsdirect/renderArticle.do?articleId=1351366&SctArtId=255732&from=CM&nsl_code=LIME&sourceObjectId=8741033&sourceRevId=1&fee_ind=N&exp_date=20240804-19:41:13 DUE 13 OCT 2014. What is meant by income inequality? What are the economic implications of a majority of Americans unable to pay for basic needs? How does income inequality affect national, state and local government income (taxes)??? Choose one of the graphs in the article--analyze and comment on its' meaning??

Retirement Gamble: How Fees are Killing Your Savings

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/retirement-gamble-fees-killing-savings-155036217.html. DUE 6 OCT 2014. What are the biggest threats to retirement income? What does John Bogle say about how much the average investor loses on retirement plans? What is a fiduciary? Are most financial planners fiduciaries?

Texas Limiting New AP History Course's Influence

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/18/texas-ap-history_n_5842874.html. DUE 29 SEP 2014. What does this topic have to do with economics? What if Texas students are not allowed to take the AP US History exam? What if the other 49 states are forced to adopt the standards set forth in Texas? What is the solution???

Seniors Forced Into Poverty As Education Department Demands Payment

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/11/seniors-education-department-student-debt_n_5807820.html. DUE 22 September 2014. Why is the Department of Education deducting loan payments from social security payments? Is this a good thing or a bad thing?? How does this affect you and the price of your student loans???

Costco Tops List Of Best Companies For High School Grads

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/05/costco-career-opportunities-best_n_5766668.html. DUE 15 September 2015. Why are these companies being chosen as "best" companies for whom to work? Which company would you choose to work for assuming you did not have a HS diploma? Why?

The 10 Fastest Growing Jobs in America

http://247wallst.com/special-report/2013/08/27/the-10-fastest-growing-jobs-in-america/ Due 8 September 2014. Take a look at the 10 jobs and discuss WHY these jobs are in such demand. After looking at the list, do you prefer to change your current goal to seek employment in an occupation in higher demand? When choosing an occupation, what is your primary reason for the choice: money? satisfaction or happiness? convenience? something else?

The Forever Slump

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/15/opinion/paul-krugman-the-forever-slump.html?_r=0. DUE 1 September 2014. Who are the "too-muchers"?? Who are the "not-enoughers"? Why are we in a slump that we can't seem to get out of??? What is the lesson we should learn from Europe??

Even Millionaires Think The Rich Should Pay Higher Taxes

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/06/millionaires-taxes-survey_n_5272647.html. DUE 12 MAY 2014. Where do the rich hold most of their wealth? (see graph) Why do the rich think they should pay more taxes? What should be done to lessen the inequality of wealth in the United States?