News
National Journal | The Best and Worst 2013 Predictions
In 2013, Bashar al-Assad was ousted from Syria, unemployment remained at 8 percent, and the Washington Redskins won the Super Bowl.
Market Watch | Leading economic index rises 0.8% in November
The leading economic index for the U.S. rose 0.8% in November to 98.3 from 97.5 in the prior month, the Conference Board said Thursday.
CNN Money | Is the economy as good as it looks?
On Wednesday the Federal Reserve felt confident enough to begin slowly withdrawing the huge economic stimulus the central bank has been pumping into the economy.
Bloomberg | Consumer Comfort in U.S. Rises to Highest Level Since September
Consumer confidence rose last week to the highest level since September, recovering the ground lost as a result of the partial federal shutdown and a sign the economy is regaining momentum.
Market Watch | 30-year-mortgage rate rises to 4.47%
The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 4.47% in the week that ended Dec. 19 from 4.42% in the prior week, according to a Thursday report from federally controlled mortgage buyer Freddie Mac.
National Journal | Most Americans Want Tougher Food-Stamp Requirements
Driven by a strong sense the food-stamp program is rife with abuse, two-thirds of Americans say they want to make it harder for people to receive assistance by requiring recipients to be drug-free and looking for work.
Market Watch | Philly Manufacturing index recovers slightly in December
Manufacturing in the Philadelphia region rebounded only slightly in December after falling to its lowest reading in seven months in November, according to a new survey released Thursday.
Econ Comments & Analysis
Forbes | Mortgage Interest Deduction Saves Middle Class Taxpayers All Of $51/Month
Middle-class homeowners saved an average of $615 on their taxes in 2012 thanks to the mortgage interest deduction. That’s actually down from an average savings of $989 in 2010. Whether this is a good or bad development, though, depends on who is defining the goals for the special housing tax benefit.
Washington Times | The lost generation
Will we force doctors to treat the millions of new Medicaid patients who are signing up for services that can be only partially reimbursed? How exactly will the Internal Revenue Service collect penalties from millions of off-the-books youth who choose not to buy coverage?
Mercatus | President Obama Faces a Bigger Ticking Time Bomb than the Affordable Care Act Itself
Most of the media’s energy and focus over the past few months has been on 2010’s Affordable Care Act and its problematic roll-out, with its ensuing intended and unintended consequences. Flawed analysis led to flawed legislation and flawed outcomes for the health care industry and millions of Americans.
