Outside the Beltway

The economy is booming. Except where it’s not.

A strong month for jobs growth in . means 2015 ended on a strong note

In a move it had been telegraphing for the better part of a year, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time since July 2006.

Going to or, preferably, graduating from college makes it far more likely you’ll have a job. The numbers don’t lie.

The November Jobs Report was good, but there still aren’t signs of the kind of stronger economic growth we need to see.

The economy performed a little better than previously reported over the summer. It’s not great, but it’s probably enough to convince the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates next month.

Mexicans are more likely to be returning home than migrating to the United States, a new report finds.

A much stronger than expected October Jobs Report suggests that the Federal Reserve is likely to move on interest rates, and raises questions about how economic issues will play out politically in 2016.

Gross Domestic Product grew at a sluggish 1.5% in the just-concluded Third Quarter, calling the Federal Reserve’s apparent plan to raise interest rates at some point even further into question.

Hillary Clinton has started to distance herself from President Obama on some issues. It’s an understandable strategy, but it carries many risks.

After months of hinting that interest rates would be rising this month, signs of economic weakness led the Federal Reserve to hold back.

The July Jobs Report indicates that while the economy is growing, it is not growing very much. This seems to call the Federal Reserve’s interest rate plans into question.

More Democrats are calling themselves “liberal” than they have in years. Republicans, too.

I have been reading, mostly in passing, a number of pieces about an alleged new climate on college campuses in which students are raising significant complaints due to difficult or emotionally sensitive material. The latest example did not impress me.

The jobs market bounced back in April, but that’s about all we can say.

The sources of new immigrants to the United States are changing, but it’s unclear if that will have any impact on the political debate over immigration reform.

Economic growth slowed significantly in the first three months of 2015, but it’s not clear what that means going forward.

Some thoughts on a column by Roger Noriega on the Obama administration and Latin America,

One Missouri legislator is going on a crusade against a “problem” that may not actually exist.

Another commentary on the National Security Strategy, this one at The Hill.

The price of oil is continuing to fall, but it won’t last forever.

December’s jobs growth numbers were very good, but the numbers below the headlines show that there’s still work to be done.

Despite opposition from both Republicans and Democrats, the compromise budget resolution passed narrowly last night, but not without some last minute drama

Strong jobs growth in November means that 2014 is already the best year for jobs growth since 1999.

Sen. Charles Schumer says Democrats made a mistake by concentrating on getting health care reform passed instead of on fixing the economy.

Some of his party’s leaders want the president to save them.

Another mostly good, but not great, jobs report.

After a disappointing August, the jobs report for September showed the same good numbers we’ve seen for much of 2014.

A strong rebound for the economy from the downturn at the start of the year.

After several months of good news, the August Jobs Report was quite a disappointment.

Fun with praxeology.

While not as big as previous months, the July Jobs Report was still mostly good news.

The June Jobs Report is basically good news.

The May Jobs Report was fairly good, and it marks the end of a jobs recession that started six years ago. But things aren’t entirely rosy.

In no small part because of a brutal winter, the economy shrank in the first three months of the year.

While it’s been much derided in recent years, there’s a definite economic benefit to obtaining a college degree,

The European far right has found a friend in an unlikely place.

Rick Perry continues to hint at another Presidential run.

March’s Jobs Report was about as uplifting as the numbers in the past.

Eric Katz of Government Executive points to “The Incredible Shrinking Pay Raise in One Chart.”

The Jobs Report for January once again leaves much to be desired.

Some good news, but also plenty of reason to worry about the future.

In an ordinary post-recession world, we wouldn’t need to talk about extended unemployment benefits, but times are far from ordinary.

Robert Kagan warns of “a changing world order.” But he’s grasping at rather thin straws.

A good initial GDP report for the 3rd Quarter, but hardly something to write home about.

Speaker Boehner told his caucus members that he will not allow a default over the debt ceiling but don’t look for a change in strategy.

Unfortunately, our immigration debate is just plain dumb.

As expected, President Obama’s latest “pivot” to the economy is less than meets the eye.