Archive for the ‘Economic Perspective’ Category

A time to take stock

The sun is shining, and the flowers are blooming. Spring is also tax season. Is there anything special about this time of year from a financial point of view?

Gas prices and housing prices

Paying for shelter and for transportation are two of the more important expenditures people make. Some economists are saying these two spending types are more interrelated than many might think. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains.

How to help

When it comes to households in our country that need assistance, there’s a longstanding debate on how to provide this help. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden summarizes the competing viewpoints.

Structural unemployment

We’re just now beginning to see some positive movement in the labor market, but many economists say it will be many years — maybe up to a decade — before unemployment returns to a normal rate of 5 percent. N.C. State University’s Mike Walden explains why.

Globalization and the service economy

When it comes to globalization, we may think first of lost factory jobs. But increasingly globalization is also affecting service-sector jobs. Why is this? And what has been the impact? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains.

Predicting presidential elections

Many political analysts say the condition of the economy is a key determinant of presidential election contests. But just how do economists think the various aspects of the economy factor into elections? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds.

Job growth picks up

All eyes are on the job market for indications the economy is getting better. Here in North Carolina, we’ve been disappointed that our state unemployment rate continues to track higher than the national rate. But N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says there is some good news about the state job picture.

Rebuilding our finances

Household finances took a big hit during the recession. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden takes a look at a new status report from the Federal Reserve on household assets, debt and net worth to determine if we are collectively making progress in getting our financial house back in order.

Premium-supported health care

As N.C. State University economist Mike Walden gets older, he and his wife, Mary, are paying more attention to Medicare, which helps pay seniors’ medical costs. The program’s expense is rapidly increasing to the point it’s long-run viability is in question. Walden shares some ideas on how to address the issue.

Can the world support U.S. debt?

When it comes to the national debt, we see three facts: First, the debt has increased. Second, foreigners have bought much of the debt. And third, interest rates paid on the debt are very low. Here’s the big question. Can these three facts continue? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds.

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