Economy and Business
The Tea Party Shtick
Not too long ago, Americans only dressed up in George Washington wigs and tri-corner hats on the Fourth of July. But then the tea party came along. Colonial garb started turning up at rallies all year around.
The Robin Hood Tax
I spent 22 years in the financial services business. Beginning in the 1980s, I worked at exchanges where we traded everything from futures on soybeans to shares of stock to options on interest rates. During these boom years for the U.S. and global financial markets, traders and Wall Street executives earned fortunes.
One Weak Domino
The stock market keeps going up and down like a yo-yo. I thought you’d like to know why. It’s Greece.
Bilked by Banks
This corrupt banking system of ours is a wonder. Sure, it’s important to have a safe place to squirrel away money, get a loan or credit card, and earn a little interest. In the old days, we even got toasters and other nice gifts when we opened a new account.
Super Highway Robbery
Low-Wage Nation
With its catchy “We are the 99 Percent” slogan, the Occupy movement focused millions of Americans on our nation’s chronic inequality. As that movement regains momentum, it must pay more attention to the whole 99 percent.
Making the World Safer for the Next Bernie Madoff
Sometimes, members of Congress follow harebrained logic. If the consequences weren’t so serious, it would be hilarious. Consider a House bill co-sponsored by Reps. Spencer Bachus (R-AL) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) that would essentially let investment advisers regulate themselves.
Verizon Shortchanges the Facts
Verizon’s corporate communications director’s response to our Shortchanging America op-ed twisted the facts.
Social Security’s Dual-Income Trap
U.S. workers have paid a reduced Social Security tax rate of 4.2 percent for the past year and a half, down from the ordinary rate of 6.2 percent. For most Americans, this has meant some welcome tax relief. But one group is still paying more than its fair share.
Walmart’s Unsurprising Bribes
I like little towns, towns where Main Street is lined with small shops and stores — drugstores, hardware stores, a café where you can get breakfast or lunch, maybe a clothing store or two — that kind of little town. In its heyday, it was a place you could go to shop and meet friends by accident, perhaps sit down with them for a cup of coffee. It was a business district of angle parking, no meters. Main Street was charming.
