At Thanksgiving dinner, nearly everyone says something about all the things they have to be thankful for. On the whole, they are sincere. Yet a profound collective discontent exists in society right now, not only in our country but also…
Pension economics get tied up in politics
Are public employees overcompensated? Are elected officials less than honest with citizens about the obligations these employees incur on state and local treasuries? Perhaps the answer to both questions is yes. There is no question that a lot of state…
For homeowners disturbed by trains, economists offer little sympathy
Blaring train horns and diesel smoke can be a real nuisance, particularly when calm prevailed before, so people living in suburbs near rail lines with rapidly increasing traffic are understandably put out. But they won’t get much sympathy from economists.…
Monetary policy isn’t necessarily liberal
Changes in the money supply, and hence in interest rates, affect economic activity in multiple and often subtle ways. So beware of pundits who make simplistic, sweeping assertions about monetary policy, particularly if their forte is politics or philosophy —…