Economic Policy

Making Bush Look Like a Piker Veronique de Rugy 09/30/2009

The Bush-era deficits were bad. I know. I spent eight years complaining about them. How does President Obama stack up?

An Empty Nod to Tort Reform Dr. Gilbert Ross 09/24/2009

In an apparent attempt to sway at least one undecided Republican senator to sign on to its healthcare reform program, the Obama administration announced the initiation of a ‘pilot program’ on tort reform.

Economists Are Beginning to See the Light Tim Worstall 09/22/2009

A small diversion into one of the tinier byways of the hugely complex international economy demonstrates the miracle of markets.

Threading the Needle at the Fed Desmond Lachman 09/19/2009

The recession is ending but big risks remain.

Will Small Businesses Stop Offering Health Insurance If Reform Passes? Scott Shane 09/18/2009

For the average business, paying a penalty will cost them less than providing insurance.

Is This What Deregulation Looks Like? Veronique de Rugy 09/17/2009

It is hard to argue that deregulation of the financial services industry was rampant in Washington when the spending on finance and banking regulatory agencies kept growing so fast. Let’s look at the numbers.

It Wasn’t a Bubble—It Was a Double Bubble Alex J. Pollock 09/12/2009

Many are accustomed to thinking in terms of a 'housing bubble.' But this is only part of the story. In fact, the first decade of the 21st century brought us a real estate double bubble—one in housing, and one in commercial real estate.

Baumol’s Solution to the Baumol Effect Tim Worstall 09/10/2009

Increasing productivity in healthcare is difficult but not impossible. Here’s how.

Regulation and the Financial Crisis: Myths and Realities Arnold Kling 09/09/2009

Many regulatory policies were major contributors to the crisis. To proceed without examining past policies, particularly in the areas of housing and bank capital regulation, would preclude learning the lessons of history.

Debt Be Not Proud: The Sorry Tale of America’s Out-of-control Spending John Steele Gordon 09/07/2009

How the richest country in the history of the world got into a position where its debt is spiraling out of control.