:: Wednesday, May 23, 2012                                                                                                                   
Latest Blogs
MLPs Equal Good Returns in All Markets: Darren Schuringa
By The Energy Report
0 comments»
With interest rate yields so low, it's not surprising that more investors are flocking to the excellent income and relative downside stability afforded by Master Limited Partnerships and related ETFs. In this exclusive interview with The Energy R....
When an exodus isn't
By Christopher Briem
0 comments»
So these rumors have been bubbling for some time, but Jon Delano/KDKA talks about the next big office building that may be built downtown. New Skyscraper Could Be Built In Downtown Pittsburgh But note this quote: “We’ve really been fighting this ....
Economic Events on May 23, 2012
By B.P.T.
0 comments»
The Mortgage Bankers' Association purchase index will be released at 7:00 AM Eastern time, providing an update on the quantity of new mortgages and refinancings closed in the last week. At 10:00 AM Eastern time, the FHFA House Price Index for Marc....
The business of Indian politics
By Ajay Shah
0 comments»
Raymond Fisman, Florian Schulz and Vikrant Vig have a fascinating new working paper: Private returns to public office, which gives us new insights into Indian politics. We know that elections in India are typically rather close. There is something....
The Rich Aren’t Necessary
By Simon Grey
0 comments»
So says Nick Hanauer: It is astounding how significantly one idea can shape a society and its policies. Consider this one. If taxes on the rich go up, job creation will go down. This idea is an article of faith for republicans and seldom challeng....
The People Have Spoken and Precious Metals Will Soar: Leonard Melman
By The Gold Report
0 comments»
The elections in Greece and France have shown that in democratic societies the people are the ultimate deciders of how well the best-laid economic plans will work out in the long run. In this exclusive interview with The Gold Report, Leonard Melm....
Economic Events on May 22, 2012
By B.P.T.
0 comments»
At 7:45 AM Eastern time, the weekly ICSC-Goldman Store Sales report will be released, giving an update on the health of the consumer through this analysis of retail sales. At 8:55 AM Eastern time, the weekly Redbook report will be released, giving....
Pittsburgh Scoring Jobs
By Christopher Briem
0 comments»
Some new jobs numbers are out for April. These are the Pittsburgh jobs, not the state data in the news today. Not much change from trend. Region up YOY and for April only below the 2001 über peak that I have argued is a bit anomalous. Maybe we wil....
The Recovery Is an Illusion: John Williams
By The Gold Report
0 comments»
John Williams, author of the ShadowStats.com newsletter, shines light on his interpretations of the GDP, CPI, unemployment and other government statistics in this exclusive Gold Report interview from the recent Recovery Reality Check conference. H....
Manufacturing Jobs
By Simon Grey
0 comments»
It turns out that they’re actually good for workers: On average, hourly wages and salaries for manufacturing jobs were $29.75 an hour in 2010 compared to $27.47 an hour for non-manufacturing jobs. Total hourly compensation, which includes employer-p....
Economic Events on May 21, 2012
By B.P.T.
0 comments»
At 8:30 AM Eastern time, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index for April will be released, providing an update on economic activity and inflationary pressure in the United States.....
Hysteresis and the Pretense of Knowledge
By Simon Grey
0 comments»
More on hysteresis: Imagine having a fever so bad that it permanently raised your body temperature. Now imagine a period of unemployment so bad that it permanently reduces our economy's ability to produce things and employ people. That's hysteresis ....
Afternoon news implosion
By Christopher Briem
0 comments»
So this is ominous via the Atlanta Journal Constitution today: Delta Cutting Staff. If you do not read the tea leaves they don't leave it to the imagination with this quote "Meanwhile, Delta said it plans to further cut back international flight....
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Most Commented
GOLD STANDARD ... DEBUNKED OR ANOTHER BUBBLE?
By Stephan Zimmermann
43 comments»
The financial liquidity crisis is in full swing around the world. It is no wonder that experts and novices alike seek ways and means to prevent a future recurrence. Many different solutions are enacted and proposed. All of them center on wealth and m....
Missing The Obvious
By Dan McLaughlin
43 comments»
I recently heard a very knowledgeable, influential person talking about the future. He had many insights that were helpful and valid. His economic views, however were quite disturbing. He made a comment to the effect that capitalism is immoral. He po....
Why Software Piracy Isn't Theft
By Bhagwad Jal Park
33 comments»
In an earlier article of mine on the dependance of Windows on Piracy, I promised a discussion on whether or not software piracy should be considered as theft. Well, here we are, and I would like to demonstrate how piracy is not theft. To start of wi....
Why I want to get out of America as fast as I can
By Bhagwad Jal Park
30 comments»
I arrived in the United States a few months ago with my wife. It was my first time to America, and I was looking forward to experiencing new things and enjoying myself. However, I am becoming aware that far from being everything that America is hyped....
The End Of Fractional Reserve Banking?
By Dan McLaughlin
28 comments»
United States Treasury Notes were recently auctioned off for a yield of 0%. That means that very smart people running mutual funds, brokerage houses and other very large organizations were willing to invest lots of money and get nothing in return ot....
Got an Economics Question?
By Stephan Zimmermann
22 comments»
The Internet, television, and magazines or newspapers are full of features concerning economics. So is Amateur Economists. The gamut runs from economic philosophy to politics to econometrics and more. Readers have many questions. Undoubtedly, you w....
Inflation, Deflation, Recession
By Norbert Haag
18 comments»
We all know what inflation is, don't we? Sure, we know, it is rising prices. Is it? Why? What is the reason for higher prices? And, more important, do the prices really rise? Compared to what? Have I confused you? Good. Time to talk a bit about the ....
A World Without the Fed: Why Opposition to the Central Bank is Growing
By J.D. Seagraves
18 comments»
“How is the Fed’s performance in the present economy,” asks The Citizen Economists’ Poll. “They’re doing excellent,” say a sarcastic and/or deranged 5 percent of respondents. Twenty-one percent say they’re “doing okay,” and another 12 percent say “pr....
 
 
The Citizen Economists Poll
Q.
Should the U.S. government require every citizen to have health insurance?
Yes
No