Sep 24 With all of the trouble on Wall Street, is it the end of the world as we know it? By Business Desk Paul Solman: As Lehman was melting down on Sept. 14, I wrote the following “answer,” which remains my best effort to explain what’s been going on. We’re going to keep it as the lead item on this page for awhile… Continue reading
Sep 19 Can the recent market fallout be traced back to Reagan’s deregulation of these types of institutions? By Business Desk Question/Comment: Can the recent market fallout be traced back to Reagan’s deregulation of these types of institutions? Is it also a reflection of a Republican/Bush White house that has purposely discouraged regulators from doing their jobs? Paul Solman:“Deregulation” as a… Continue reading
Jun 10 Would you consider doing a report on the carbonated beverage industry and its impact on global warming? By Business Desk Question/Comment: Much has been said about the potential costs to the oil and auto industries regarding global warming/CO2 greenhouse gas tailpipe and smokestack emissions. Perhaps overlooked is the detrimental effects the carbonated beverage industries would suffer, if the people concerned… Continue reading
Mar 21 How much national debt is a good thing? By Paul Solman Question/Comment: Paul, please keep up your enlightening NewsHour segments. My question: How much national debt is a good thing? Generational fairness clearly calls for limits, but despite the many voices weighing in on this issue, I have yet to hear… Continue reading
Feb 13 How can such enormous debt be sustainable and what happens to the world economy if the U.S. defaults? By Business Desk Question/Comment: I am a Canadian. Unfortunately, 87 percent of our trade is with America. Consequently, U.S. recessions are felt more deeply in Canada. However, my questions are about the American debt. My understanding is that the debt could reach $10… Continue reading
Jun 15 Watch Raising Tax Cap Explored as Way to Close Social Security Gap By PBS NewsHour The possibility of raising the cap on payroll taxes may help to close the Social Security gap, but the option could pose other problems. Business correspondent Paul Solman examines both sides of this proposed solution. Continue watching
Sep 23 Watch 10:17 Goal Line Economics: The Economics of Professional Football By Paul Solman Did pro football, a multibillion-dollar business, become America's most popular sport by practicing non-free-market economics? Under football's non-free-market model, firms compete furiously, yet share the industry's revenues, with labor and with each other. Economics correspondent Paul Solman reports. Continue watching
Jul 17 Watch Capitalism in Cuba By PBS NewsHour Paul Solman reports from Cuba on the growing role of capitalism in the country's socialist system. Continue watching
Dec 27 Watch Are Older Americans Helped Or Hurt By Changing Inflation? When high-level talks between the White House and Congress resume on Friday, one idea that's expecting to get close attention is adjusting the Consumer Price Index. Paul Solman reports on the proposal and its potential impact. Continue watching