Economic angst

Are Americans about to plunge into one of the worse economic crises in history? Or did Phil Gramm have a point when he called the current malaise a "mental" recession? All week, author Doug Henwood and Slate columnist Steven E. Landsburg discuss the federal government's role in reversing our economic slide.

July 25, 2008

Bailing out the middle class

Today's question: Have the Federal Reserve and government regulators gotten themselves into the position of trying to prop up the comfortable lifestyle of the middle class? Click here to read the week's entire exchange between Landsburg and Henwood.

July 24, 2008

DUST-UP

Should some banks go under?

Today's question: Why shouldn't Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (and other large lenders) be allowed to fail? Previously, Henwood and Landsburg discussed the mortgage crisis, how much speculators are to blame for high oil prices and Phil Gramm’s comments about a "mental" recession.

July 23, 2008

DUST-UP

How much more foreclosure pain?

Today's questions: There's evidence that a large percentage of modified mortgages with lower interest rates and loans with new repayment plans are going bad again. What does this say about the housing crisis? Previously, Landsburg and Henwood discussed how much speculators are to blame for high oil prices and Phil Gramm’s comments about a "mental" recession.

July 22, 2008

Blame oil speculators?

Today's question: How much do speculators contribute to high oil prices? Previously, Henwood and Landsburg discussed Phil Gramm's comments about a "mental" recession.

July 21, 2008

DUST-UP

Was Phil Gramm right?

Today's question: Was Phil Gramm right about the current economic malaise being a "mental" recession? All week, Steven E. Landsburg and Doug Henwood discuss election-season economics.