SPOTLIGHT: Unemployment

REUTERS/Robert Galbraith - Man looks at employment opportunities in San Francisco
Gary Burtless, February 05, 2010
The Bureau of Labor Statistics employment report for January contains mixed signals about the job market’s emergence from the recession. The household survey showed a sizeable drop in unemployment. Gary Burtless believes that the fall in unemployment cannot be explained by a rise in the number of discouraged workers or any further decline in the labor force participation rate.
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Unemployment, U.S. Economy
SPOTLIGHT: U.S. Economy

REUTERS/Brendan McDermid - A man demonstrates in New York City
Isabel V. Sawhill, January 29, 2010
Following the release of President Obama's budget, Isabel Sawhill believes there will be a lot of hand-wringing about the possible economic fallout from a virtually unprecedented accumulation of debt. Not only will this string of future deficits have dire economic consequences, she says, but will also reduce public confidence in their government. Ultimately, the budget’s insufficient proposals suggest that the current administration will be criticized for moving the goal posts on deficit reduction and for doing far too little to restore fiscal balance.
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U.S. Economy, Budget Deficit, U.S. Congress, U.S. Politics
SPOTLIGHT: Banking

REUTERS/CHRIS KEANE - A Bank of America flag is pictured outside the corporate center in Charlotte
Douglas J. Elliott, January 21, 2010
President Obama has proposed restricting the size and scope of activity of the nation’s largest banks. Douglas Elliott analyzes the proposal, noting that "the devil is in the details" and that the administration could be overreacting to the risks it is trying to address. The result, Elliott argues, could ultimately hurt America’s international competitiveness.
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Banking, U.S. Economy, Financial Institutions, U.S. Economic Growth