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?

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Time for a Property Tax in China

Due 23 March 2012. Thoughts?? Isn't it amazing that a country like China DOESN'T have a property tax?

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

The Richest 1 Percent Captured 93 Percent Of Income Gains In 2010

Due 16 March 2012. What do you think? Is fairness & equity a part of a capitalist system? Who benefits during a recession? What steps need to be taken to stabilize our economy?

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Japan Struggles with Tainted Reactor Water

Due 9 March 2012. I know we are all sympathetic to the people in Japan, but how does this affect us?? Another news report indicated that debris from the disaster will soon start washing up on Hawaiian shores. Has the nuclear fallout reached us yet?? Tell me what you think....

Wyoming House Advances Doomsday Bill - Good Idea?

Due 2 March 2012. Ok, suppose Wyoming DID create its' own currency. How would it be valued?? What is Wyoming going to do with an aircraft carrier?? What do you think??

Monday, February 27, 2012

Chinese Labor, Cheap No More

Due 2 March 2012. Why is the US suggesting that China doesn't play fair?? What recommendations are listed? In your opinion, how should we deal with the trade issue with China??

Friday, February 24, 2012

Rolling Back the Years

Due 24 Feb 2012. Analyze the graphs in this article. What has America lost during the financial crisis?