News
CNN Money | Why Obama shouldn't tap U.S. oil reserves
As U.S. sanctions on Iran tighten and gas prices reach record levels, it is becoming more likely that a release of oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve is in the works. Yet analysts aren't convinced tapping the SPR is a good idea.
CNBC | US Services Sector Growth Slipped in March
The pace of growth in the U.S. services sector slipped in March after hitting its highest level in a year the previous month, as a gauge of new orders declined, according to an industry report released on Wednesday.
FOX News | Shattered Dreams: Realtors ride out tough housing market
Realtor Beverly Langley, who's been selling homes for nearly three decades, says the business isn't what it used to be. "You can't just wait for the phone to ring," she warns, adding, "It just doesn't work that way anymore."
FOX Business | CFTC Slaps JPMorgan With $20M Fine Over Lehman Collapse
Nearly four years after the disastrous implosion of investment bank Lehman Brothers, regulators punished JPMorgan Chase on Wednesday for actions the financial giant took tied to Lehman’s demise.
Econ Comments & Analysis
AEI | Missing the slow pitch on free trade
The U.S. is more active on trade policy than it has been in years. President Obama is meeting with Canada and Mexico about new agreements, Congress will hold hearings on changing decades-old trade law, and the federal government will more broadly be bringing several cases before the WTO.
CRS | The Strategic Petroleum Reserve: Authorization, Operation, and Drawdown Policy
Congress authorized the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) in the 1975 Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to help prevent a repetition of the economic disruption caused by the 1973-1974 Arab oil embargo. EPCA specifically authorizes the President to draw down the SPR upon a finding that there is a "severe energy supply interruption."
Washington Times | U.S. runs on oil; Obama runs on anti-oil fibs
John Podesta and Geoff Garin are skilled political operatives who will spare no effort to help Democrats win elections. So their messaging memo urging Democrats to demonize the American oil sector to score political points - posted on the Politico website March 24 - should be viewed as political propaganda, rather than sound energy policy.
CNN Money | Obama trashes trickle-down economics
President Obama thoroughly denounced the budget plan favored by House Republicans on Tuesday, calling it "thinly veiled social Darwinism" that will only exacerbate income inequality in America.
Real Clear Markets | Missing the Slow Pitch On Free Trade
The U.S. is more active on trade policy than it has been in years. President Obama is meeting with Canada and Mexico about new agreements, Congress will hold hearings on changing decades-old trade law, and the federal government will more broadly be bringing several cases before the WTO.
WSJ | How Huge Banks Threaten the Economy
Our nation is at a fork in the road and the destiny of our financial system depends critically on choosing the correct route.
Washington Times | Obama’s ‘green’ policies punish the poor
The environmental movement has flexed its lobbying might through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for decades. But never has it been more muscular than under the current administration.
Blogs
National Review | Abolish the Ex-IM Bank Already
There is an intense battle going on in Washington right now over the re-authorization of the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank). President Obama recently announced his support for the program (even though he was against it during his 2008 campaign when he said that the Bank had become “little more than a fund for corporate welfare.”) But he isn’t alone.
Café Hayek | Eugene White on bank regulation
The latest EconTalk is Eugene White talking about bank regulation and financial reform. He argues for changing incentives rather than regulating and monitoring choices. A very good idea.
