News
National Journal | What the Middle Class Should Want From the Economy in 2014
Economists feel pretty upbeat about the prospects for 2014 after roughly five years of tepid, if not pessimistic, forecasts. The U.S. economy grew at a pace of 4.1 percent during the third quarter of 2013, the largest expansion since 2011.
CNN Money | Biggest risk to markets? Global politics
For the first time in five years, the big risk for the global economy is not a collapse of the financial system, according to a report by the Eurasia Group released Monday.
Market Watch | Britain’s modest fiscal consolidation pays off
Britain’s economy has had a buoyant start to the year, fueling speculation of tax cuts and higher pensions as David Cameron, the prime minister, kick-starts a long campaign to the general election in 16 months.
CNBC | Oil could go below $80 if Iran gets solved: Eurasia's Bremmer
Oil prices could go well under $80 a barrel if a deal is struck to rein in Iran's nuclear ambitions, Eurasia Group President Ian Bremmer predicted Monday.
Econ Comments & Analysis
Real Clear Markets | There's a Much Better Mortgage, If Only Banks Would Offer It
A quick perusal of any major bank's mortgage department offerings could easily lead you to believe that the U.S. mortgage market has far too many products for its own good.
NY Times | 50 Years Later, War on Poverty Is a Mixed Bag
To many Americans, the war on poverty declared 50 years ago by President Lyndon B. Johnson has largely failed. The poverty rate has fallen only to 15 percent from 19 percent in two generations, and 46 million Americans live in households where the government considers their income scarcely adequate.
WSJ | A Good Time for Housing Reform
The prospects for progress on Capitol Hill this year are few, but one possibility is reform of federal housing policy. With home prices rising and the economy growing, now is a good time to pare back the government support that has too often led to unsustainable housing booms and taxpayer busts.
Investors | 11 Nasty Trends That Will Test America's Resilience
The resilience that has long been one of America's remarkable traits was on display in 2013. Not only did businesses create 2 million jobs, but the struggling economy actually grew and profits and stock prices soared to near-record levels.
Barrons | Reasons to Believe Tepid Recovery Will Heat Up
The economic expansion that began 4½ years ago has been one of the slowest on record by virtually any measure. We all know that. But just how much slower might still be underappreciated.
Mercatus | Ending Farm Subsidies: Unplowed Common Ground
In recent years, food stamps have constituted about 80 percent of farm bill spending, which may be why nearly 100 percent of public debate has focused there.1 Unfortunately, with all of the attention on food stamps, both political parties have missed the opportunity for reform that lies in the remaining 20 percent of the farm bill.
Blogs
WSJ | Blame Polarization for Tepid Economic Growth?
There has been a running argument among economists on the extent to which uncertainty over U.S. government policy –taxes, spending and regulation – is a big reason the economy has been so distressingly sluggish.
Heritage Foundation | Is Common Core Leaving Students Unprepared in Math and Science?
A leading education reform scholar argues that Common Core national standards are leaving students unprepared for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
