The tax system has fluctuated throughout the ages
Let’s reflect on the origins of the current income tax system to help understand it better.
Economic Analysis
Articles
Bonus outrage poor excuse for good public policy
The wages paid by a company to its employees are a distinctly private matter.
Improving livability is economic development
I am often asked the seemingly simple question, "Just what is economic development?"
Answer to stimulus formula equals inflation
When economists worry about the health of the banking system, it is primarily because we are concerned with a stable velocity
of money.
Market, not bailouts, should stimulate refinancings
Markets, no matter how imperfect, not government programs, manage the economy.
Stimulus just way too big to spend this year
After much debate, the U.S. House and Senate have come together on a stimulus package. Whether it will work remains to be seen. And the long-term impact of spending nearly $800 billion is a big concern.
Unemployment data paints worrisome picture
The most recent data on the U.S. economy continues to be worrying, but a little context remains helpful.
Proposed fiscal stimulus package has high costs
Expeditious and clever spending on roads, infrastructure and, in the half-dozen states where it is possible, a tax cut will determine the success of the stimulus plan.
Speed is critical to success of stimulus plan
All the serious talk in Washington for the next few weeks will center on an economic stimulus package. Up to now, the argument
has been for an extensive (perhaps a $1 trillion) program.
College-affordability debate focusing on wrong issues
College affordability has gained a lot of attention over the past few years, but I am not sure that the simple focus on costs
is the right way to think about the
problem.
UAW in tough spot as automakers seek concessions
A federal bailout for automakers Chrysler and General Motors won’t fix their problems. I think a bankruptcy of these companies is nearly inevitable.
It might also spell the demise of the UAW.
Economist puts present economy in historical perspective
The clouds of darkness will pass, fear will be removed, and the light of the season will linger in those who seek it.
Steepest job losses of recession are occurring now
Ball State University’s Indiana econometric model predicts that earnings in all of Indiana’s
major economic sectors except health care will decline in the next three months.
Worst fallout to come in waning days of recession
The Dec. 1 announcement by the Business Cycle Dating Committee of the National Bureau of Economic Research officially dated
the recession back to the fourth quarter of 2007.
Thanksgiving a time to reflect and cherish memories
Holidays are great fun, but Thanksgiving brings the most memories.
Changes in public policy don’t get at root of poverty
The fixes for poverty, and low-wage workers, are hard, deliberate and done family by family. This is why the cost of the welfare
program reforms implemented in 1996 didn’t plummet with lower enrollment.
Budget cuts threaten local economic data analysis
Budget cuts could eliminate programs that gather and analyze local and state economic data. This would hurt businesses and
economic development officials, since they would not have the data that helps them see how their market differs from the state
and the nation.
Economists research, analyze trends
Most economists spend some time teaching, but the vast majority of our time is spent doing research.
Duke founder Wynne loses out using company stock as collateral
Retired businessman John Wynne, one of the founders of Duke Realty Corp., is the latest executive to get burned after using
company stock as collateral for a multimillion-dollar loan in his investment account.
Vote only if you’ve studied the issues carefully
If you haven’t learned about the crucial issues that our country and state face, don’t vote.