HICKS: Human capital, income inequality and our future
Since at least the 1960s, economists have been warning that the link between human capital and economic growth was growing.
Economic Analysis
Articles
HICKS: Is the Occupy Indianapolis crowd on to something?
There’s something in the Occupy Indianapolis protest for most of us to appreciate. Among these is the real and persistent influence from both corporations and unions that distorts our tax system. The reality is astonishing.
HICKS: Competing theories agree on nation’s economic woes
Both explanations suggest that the large stimulus and enormous government spending deficits are in part to blame for the continued ill performance of the U.S. economy.
HICKS: Some long-dead economists worth a listen
It is a bit too early to tell what this recession and recovery will do to the reputation of the many economists who prognosticated through it. But one thing is for certain: It has provided much publicity for many long-dead economists.
HICKS: Defining and understanding poverty in America
How much poverty we have and how bad it is remain elusive questions. The causes of poverty are better known.
HICKS: Efficacy of the American Jobs Act questionable
In my professional judgment, President Obama’s proposed American Jobs Act is as fair an attempt at stimulating the economy as is now possible. Whether or not it is good policy or will work are other questions.
HICKS: A solemn reminder of the value of shared sacrifice
On this anniversary of 9/11, I think we would do well to acknowledge that we have relinquished too little of ourselves in the years since the attacks.
HICKS: Lessons to glean from Keystone Towers demolition
The demolition of a vacant apartment building is common fare in American cities. It is part of the urban renewal that is much needed in many U.S. cities.
HICKS: High taxes are myth, not America’s problem
In too many places, government does things the private sector does better and cheaper.
HICKS: Vouchers could help fix what’s ailing Indiana schools
The real purpose of vouchers was to add incentives for public schools to improve.
HICKS: Investors downgrade Standard & Poor’s political ploy
There are many reasons to believe the second half of the year will bring a faster-growing economy.
HICKS: Cuts will come in wake of federal budget deal
It is clear that the agreement to raise the United States’ debt ceiling demands cuts to military budgets, to entitlements and to the vast cornucopia of discretionary spending.
HICKS: Woody Guthrie, Ron Paul and the national debt
Now, I have been given to observe many a wondrous and unusual thing over the course of my life, but the thought of Ron Paul and Woody Guthrie cozying up on fiscal policy leaves me virtually speechless.
HICKS: Ending subsidies good, but won’t solve debt
We currently have an unsustainable budget, and the inevitable increase in borrowing costs is simply a tax on political cowardice on the matter.
HICKS: Free trade isn’t costing Americans jobs
I actually find it astonishing that there are still Americans who devote themselves to opposing free trade on the grounds that it hurts the economy. There is no more easily disproven fiction.
HICKS: Without real cuts, cost of borrowing will rise
What is abundantly clear is that federal spending is much higher than is currently sustainable.
HICKS: Founding document holds lessons for today
The Declaration of Independence has some key tenets that bear mentioning in these times.
HICKS: Jobless compensation and the incentive to work
In essence, the body of research tells us that longish periods of unemployment compensation tend to cause longish periods of unemployment.
HICKS: Absence of fathers has dire economic impact
Poverty in America is overwhelmingly caused by two things: failing to graduate from high school and single parenting.
HICKS: Recession took its toll on under-educated
The hard truth is that all the jobs lost in the economy that will return already have. So what will become of those who lost jobs to the recession for which none await them now? The prognosis is none too optimistic.