Archive for the ‘Economic Perspective’ Category

Electric vehicles and the environment

Typically people are interested in purchasing electric-powered vehicles for three reasons: They get better fuel economy, they avoid buying expensive gasoline, and they want to help the environment by reducing pollutants. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden considers the last reason and whether purchasing electric-powered vehicles always helps the environment.

Digital manufacturing

We are in what some call the digital age, an age of era of computers, tablets and smart phones. But now the word digital is being used in another context – in digital manufacturing. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains.

Estimated cost of losing a job

Losing your job can be devastating, in more ways than one. How much, in dollars and cents, does such a lost cost a person? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers.

How’s commercial real estate doing?

Just as in residential real estate, there was a big pullback in the commercial real estate during the recession. But now that the broad economy is in a recovery, do we also see improvement in commercial real estate? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers.

Social Security problems

Each year the trustees of the Social Security system issue a report on the system’s financial condition. The 2012 report is out, and N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says the news it contains is not good.

The bio-economy

Recently the federal government outlined a strategy for developing and expanding something called the bio-economy. What exactly is the bio-economy, and why is it important? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains.

Watching interest rates

Interest rates are one of the key factors in the economy. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden tells where they are now – and where they might be headed.

A budget idea

Most people know the federal government has big budget issues, including the recent significant growth in the national debt. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden takes a look at one simple idea to address the budget that might have wide appeal.

Smaller education gains

Since World War II generations in the United States have successively gotten better educated. Economists say this is a big factor in standard-of-living improvements over the last 60 years. But N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says this trend is beginning to change.

Can we stop high gas prices?

Gas prices are clearly hitting people in their wallets and pocketbooks. They also have to potential to stall the economy. Is there anything we can do to push prices down? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds.

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