Economic Crisis: What Could Government Have Done Better?

With the advantage of hindsight, it’s clear that more creative strategies were needed. But they probably couldn’t have been passed.

Elizabeth Warren’s Flawed Social Contract

Elizabeth Warren has a deeply flawed view of our social contract.

Demand Crisis, Structural Crisis, or Both?

Paul Krugman seems to believe that something like the bubble economy we enjoyed until it burst in 2008 could be had again if only our leaders were sufficiently bold.

You Can Be Compassionate Without Supporting Big Government

Contrary to what Eugene Robinson and Paul Krugman argue today, compassion does not require one to support government social welfare programs.

On “Politicizing” 9/11

Accusing someone of “politicizing” a discussion of 9/11 is like accusing someone of “athleticizing” a discussion of football.

Paul Krugman: 9/11 Has Become “An Occasion For Shame”

Paul Krugman chose to mark the the 10th anniversary of September 11th with an odd blog post.

It’s Not Just A Demand Problem

What’s behind the lack of business investment?

Political Fantasy World

It never ceases to amaze me how many smart people manage to believe, against all evidence to the contrary, that their political philosophy has massive support.

Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc

Did World War II teach us anything about spending-as-stimulus? Not really.

Hurricane Irene And The Broken Window Fallacy

Repeating the “destruction creates wealth” fallacy every time there’s a natural disaster doesn’t make it any less of a fallacy.

Do Earthquakes Stimulate the Economy?

Either a bunch of bloggers or one of the world’s smartest economists doesn’t understand economics.

Charts of the Day: Miracles Edition

More on Texas and jobs.

Paul Krugman’s Cure For Economic Woe: An Alien Invasion

According to Paul Krugman, what the American economy needs is for a bunch of space aliens to invade us.

Texas and Employment

Taking an initial look into the Texas economy.

Risk and Sovereign Debt

Upon further review, S&P’s downgrade of the United States bond rating . . . still makes no sense.

Downgrading Standard & Poors

While it’s hard to argue with S&P’s political analysis, its economic judgment is a head-scratcher.

Debt Deal Winners and Losers

Now that America’s political leadership have probably averted a self-inflicted global economic calamity, it’s time to assess the winners and losers.

Is Washington Fighting The Wrong Economic War?

While unemployment remains stubbornly high, Washington is spending its time fighting over the budget deficit

Understanding The Other Side

Paul Krugman thinks liberals understand conservatives but not vice versa. He’s half right.

UCLA Forecast: More Slow Growth

More slow economic growth, the L-shaped recession.

Tyler Cowen’s Productive Mind

A profile of George Mason economist and blogger Tyler Cowen offers this amusing description: “Cowen, 49, has round features, a hesitant posture, and an unconcerned haircut.”

Rand Paul’s Pointless Gimmick: The Gas Tax Holiday

Rand Paul has borrowed a bad idea from the 2008 Presidential campaign.

Study: Obama Stimulus Destroyed Million Private Sector Jobs

Ohio State researchers: ARRA created/saved approximately 450 thousand state and local government jobs and destroyed/forestalled roughly one million private sector jobs.

Ranking The Pundits

A study shows that most national columnists and talking heads are about as accurate as a coin flip.

Paul Krugman Wonders Where The President He Thought He Was Voting For Went To

Paul Krugman is disappointed with the President, but it’s really his own fault for being so naive.

Paul Ryan Unveils Plan To Cut Federal Spending By $6 Trillion Over Ten Years

Paul Ryan unveiled an ambitious plan to cut the deficit today. The question is whether it will be the beginning of a debate, or an opportunity for Democratic demagoguery

Explaining the NYT Paywall

Philip Greenspun wonders, “How did the New York Times manage to spend $40 million on its pay wall?”

Which Conservatives Are Worth Reading?

Paul Krugman admits that he doesn’t bother to read conservative commentary. Should he?

Tucson, Political Rhetoric, And Where We Go From Here

There is a problem with political rhetoric in this country, but telling people to be nicer to each other isn’t going to cool it down.

“Heated Political Rhetoric” And The Giffords Shooting

The tragic shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 19 others in Arizona has started another debate about political rhetoric. It’s a stupid debate, and it’s utterly pointless.

Bush Tax Cut Extension Near

Republican maneuvering to extend the Bush tax cuts for all Americans appears about to pay off.

America’s Economic Model a Joke?

Paul Krugman argues that recent economic crises demonstrate that America has failed at corporate governance, banking, and the rule of law.

Chris Christie Kills Hudson Rail Project

New Jersey’s governor has killed a vital infrastructure project because of huge cost overruns. It’s penny wise and pound foolish.

Structural Unemployment a Myth?

Paul Krugman says there’s zero evidence for structural causes for unemployment. It’s just a demand problem. How do we spark demand, then?

Chinese Currency Manipulation

There isn’t much doubt that China is manipulating its currency for competitive advantage. What can be done about it?

Paul Krugman’s Economic Silliness

According to Paul Krugman’s latest column, the massive destruction of World War Two was actually good for the U.S. economy. Sadly, there are people who consider him an expert.

Krugman vs. The Actuaries on Medicare

Paul Krugman’s Medicare projections don’t line up with what the actuaries are telling us.

It’s Money That Matters

While political junkies dissect every vote and utterance, most Americans vote based on their gut sense of how the economy is doing.

Third Depression: Barriers to Recovery

A lot stands in the way of returning to pre-collapse employment levels in the USA.