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Opinions
Unemployment insurance should be expanded to cover part-time workers. States need to fix arcane eligibility requirements that exclude far too many low-income workers.
The home mortgage interest deduction should not be eliminated. That requires more money. Capping deductions for the 1.2 percent of Americans that are the most well-off is one good way to raise it.
The Obama Administration's handling of the auto bailout has been satisfactory. President Obama struck an acceptable compromise on Monday between two unappealing options...
Congress should enact the Employee Free Choice Act. The measure is vital legislation and should not be postponed.
It was appropriate for the Obama Administration to force GM's CEO Rick Wagoner to resign. Forcing G.M.’s chairman and chief executive, Rick Wagoner, to resign was a necessary step to bring in new leadership that can set the company on a new course.
Secretary Geithner's public-private partnership to buy up toxic assets will not help stabilize the financial system. In the end, there is no getting around firing the executives at failing banks, acknowledging the losses, wiping out the shareholders and then deciding how the government can best restructure the institutions.
Tobacco companies should be liable for smoke-related health problems. The Supreme Court handed tobacco companies a major and well-deserved setback...
Public investment should have a higher priority than tax cuts in Barack Obama's stimulus package. Tax cuts are a politiclaly expedient bad idea
AIG should have been bailed out by the federal government. Yes, but more strings!
Citigroup should have been bailed out by the federal government. "impending collapse...[demanded] intervention."
Lehman Brothers should not have been bailed out by the federal government. "Oddly reassuring that the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve let Lehman Brothers fail..."
The U.S. federal government should provide financial support to its auto industry. A messy bankruptcy filing by any of the big car companies, in the midst of this recession, would likely cost the government and the economy more than trying to keep them afloat.
Governments should infuse capital directly into failing banks as part of their response to the financial crisis. "Investing money in exchange for equity is more efficient and - not incidentally - more fair."
The Treasury Department should block severance packages for Fannie and Freddie corporate executives. "Neither should be rewarded any more than they already have been for their failures."
The federal government is most responsible for the current financial crisis. "...this crisis could have been avoided if regulators had enforced rules and officials had dared to question risky lending and other dubious practices."
The federal government should not pass the proposed $700 billion financial system bailout. "Ben Bernanke, gave no ground in defense of their $700 billion proposal to bail out the financial system."
Supply and demand is having the greatest impact on rising oil prices. "Americans must burn less oil and find alternative sources of energy..."
Current consumer debt levels are a danger to the US Economy. Bad economic policies encourgaed Americans to live beyond their means which in turn contributed to the current financial crises
The U.S. should increase the cap on visas for skilled workers. "...far too few visas..."
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should not be nationalized. "Will give them enough breathing space to undertake the difficult task of raising capital."
The U.S. economy will go into recession in 2008. "shaping up to be the second recession of the decade"
Oil prices will weaken the economy. "...high oil prices can wreak economic havoc..."
Corporations should pay heavier taxes on windfall profits. "Money from the windfall tax could pay for the initial investments encouraging conservation."
The U.S. government should change the size or texture of its banknotes. "...everyone using paper dollars should be able to know which bill is which."
The U.S. should end agricultural subsidies. "American farmers will have to be weaned from American food aid."
Free trade is necessary for economic development. "Foreign competition spurs innovation."
The Federal Government should assist mortgage defaulters. Lawmakers should "carefully and quickly vet the possibilities for taxpayer- financed assistance."
The U.S. should pass the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. "It is time for Congress to ratify it."
Bankruptcy courts should have the power to adjust home mortgages. "Bankruptcy reform is a better way to deal with that problem."
Performance fees of hedge fund managers should be taxed as regular income. "Untenable for the most highly paid Americans" to enjoy lower tax rates
Motorists should be charged a fee to enter congested city centers. "As London and Stockholm have discovered...cleaner air and less gridlock"
The government should provide financial assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure. B Is for Bailout, C Is for
The Bush Administration stimulus package will not prevent a recession. Beyond the Stimulus Package
The U.S. Federal Reserve should not lower interest rates. Why the Fed can't (and presumably shouldn't) lower rates
The TWU does not have legitimate reasons for going on strike. The End of a Senseless Strike
EVIDENCE: Should hedge funds be subjected to greater regulatory scrutiny? Yes
EVIDENCE: Should the U.S. government try to recoup AIG bonuses? Yes
EVIDENCE: Should the economic stimulus plan include a 'Buy American' provision? No
EVIDENCE: Should Lehman Brothers have been bailed out by the federal government? Yes
EVIDENCE: Should governments nationalize insolvent banks in response to the financial crisis? Yes