News
USA Today | Political gridlock not so good for markets this time
The mere thought of political gridlock normally makes investors smile. But grins are giving way to frowns and worry lines as the countdown to a U.S. debt default inches closer with divided lawmakers still unable to strike a deal.
CNN Money | Economy still stuck in the mud
Despite a pick-up in growth at the end of last year, the economy has taken a hard turn for the worse in the last few months. On Friday, the government will report how much the economy expanded in the second quarter -- but don't expect much good news.
USA Today | Fed: Growth slows across much of the U.S.
A Federal Reserve survey says seven of the Fed's 12 bank regions reported slower growth in June and early July compared with the spring. That's a worse showing than in the previous survey. Of the remaining five districts, four reported modest growth. A fifth, the Minneapolis district, said its economy was disrupted by bad weather and the shutdown of Minnesota's state government.
CNN Money | Foreclosures fall in most U.S. cities
Foreclosures declined in more than 84% of U.S. metro areas during the first half of the year, according to the latest report from RealtyTrac, an online marketer of foreclosed properties. But that doesn't mean these markets are staging a turnaround.
National Journal | Another Hit for Housing?
The debt-ceiling impasse could make the biggest economic weight even heavier.
Econ Comments
Washington Times | EDITORIAL: Jacking up your electric bill
More regulations on industry will hurt the flickering economy.
WSJ | Chinese Innovation Is a Paper Tiger
A closer look at China's patent filings and R&D spending reveals a country that has a long way to go.
Washington Times | BRADLEY: Renewable energy running scared
This may be the beginning of the end of the energy welfare state.
Reports
Heritage Foundation | Plugged-in Poverty: Half of America’s Poor Have Computers
How poor are America’s poor? The typical poor family has at least two color TVs, a VCR and a DVD player. A third have a widescreen, plasma or LCD TV. And the typical poor family with children has a video game system such as Xbox or PlayStation. Are these government numbers a fluke? Perhaps they’re artificially inflated because working-class families (with lots of conveniences in the home) have lost job+G49s in the recession and temporarily joined the ranks of the poor?
