Alan Augustson - Business

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The Treasury Department should block severance packages for Fannie and Freddie corporate executives.

The Bush Administration stimulus package will not prevent a recession. 'Prevent'? Are people really still talking about 'preventing' a recession?

Bush Administration policies have had a negative impact on the economy.

Governments should not infuse capital directly into failing banks as part of their response to the financial crisis.

Union dues should be used for political purposes. Unless corporate contributions are also outlawed.

Call centers should be required to disclose the physical location of their employees. But what will you do if you don't like the call center's answer? Call center jobs were shipped overseas to keep our prices down. Will you be willing to pay more to have American service and support?

The U.S. should not increase the cap on visas for skilled workers. No. In fact, we need greater investment in education in the skilled trades for low-income Americans.

Government should regulate wages. Most poor people are workers. Wages are already too low for many working people to subsist. If government does not regulate wages, employers will set them even lower.

Unions should be permitted to strike. Absolutely. Employees must always have the freedom to enforce their own rights -- especially when neither the employer nor the government are willing to do so.

The federal minimum wage should be $11 an hour or higher. The minimum wage should be equal to the calculated "living wage" for a locality. But in order to get that value correct, we need better, more honest indicators of the cost of living, extent of unemployment and extent of poverty.

The United States Mint should stop circulating the penny. The penny now costs far more to manufacture than it is worth. Every penny made contributes to the national deficit.

Supply and demand is having the greatest impact on rising oil prices. The oil is beginning to run out. It is as simple as that. If we plunder the Alaskan wilderness, if we poison the seas from offshore drilling, and if we reduce the whole of North America to a barren field of holes; it will make no difference to the price o

UNKNOWN: Should the economic stimulus plan include a 'Buy American' provision?

The Treasury Department should block severance packages for Fannie and Freddie corporate executives.

UNKNOWN: Will the financial crisis lead to another economic depression?

UNKNOWN: Should there be a global financial regulatory system?

UNKNOWN: Should Congress have passed the $787 billion stimulus bill?

UNKNOWN: Which low-cost United States airline do you most prefer to fly with?

UNKNOWN: Should Congress tax AIG bonuses?

UNKNOWN: Should Congress grant the Treasury Department authority to take over non-bank financial institutions that pose a systemic risk?

UNKNOWN: Which economic system is most effective?

The federal minimum wage should be $11 an hour or higher. The minimum wage should be equal to the calculated "living wage" for a locality. But in order to get that value correct, we need better, more honest indicators of the cost of living, extent of unemployment and extent of poverty.

Supply and demand is having the greatest impact on rising oil prices. The oil is beginning to run out. It is as simple as that. If we plunder the Alaskan wilderness, if we poison the seas from offshore drilling, and if we reduce the whole of North America to a barren field of holes; it will make no difference to the price o

Bush Administration policies have had a negative impact on the economy.

UNKNOWN: Does Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts brew better-tasting coffee?

UNKNOWN: Should corporations pay heavier taxes on windfall profits?

UNKNOWN: Should Lehman Brothers have been bailed out by the federal government?

UNKNOWN: Should organic farmers receive additional federal subsidies?

UNKNOWN: Is capitalism the most effective economic system?

UNKNOWN: Should Congress increase the federal minimum wage?

UNKNOWN: Should the government provide financial assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure?

UNKNOWN: Is the U.S. undergoing the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression?

UNKNOWN: How does outsourcing affect the U.S. economy?

UNKNOWN: Should the U.S. pass the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement?

UNKNOWN: Should AIG have been bailed out by the federal government?

UNKNOWN: Will the U.S. economy go into recession in 2008?

UNKNOWN: Should the U.S. federal government provide financial support to its auto industry?

UNKNOWN: Should food contain country-of-origin labeling?

UNKNOWN: Should bankruptcy courts have the power to adjust home mortgages?

UNKNOWN: Should the U.S. end agricultural subsidies?