Feb

14

Breaking Ground on the New Green Deal

February 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Guest post by Prof. Erin Ryan, Associate Professor of Law at William & Mary
Reluctant members of Congress, listen up. You’ve tried bailing out the past. It’s time to bail in the future.

Now that we’ve pumped trillions into failing industries that drove economic growth on little more than a ponzi scheme, it’s time to [...]

Feb

9

Child Neglect and the Economy

February 9, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Everyone knows that the economy is not in great shape. The obvious results of the economic downturn are high unemployment rates, home foreclosures, and decrease in funding for schools. There may even be a connection between the slowing economy and increased rates of child abuse and neglect.
Child neglect comes in many different forms. Generally, neglect [...]

Feb

8

Why the Senate Has it Wrong on the Stimulus Bill

February 8, 2009 | Leave a Comment

The House and the Senate have each produced stimulus bills this week, but there are marked differences between the two bills.  The NYT reports:
Congress is racing to finalize the legislation this week, with the price tag for the Senate plan now only slightly more than the $820 billion measure adopted by the House. Both plans [...]

Feb

7

Does Capping Executive Pay Violate the Constitution?

February 7, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Short answer: no. But, some people who are stuck in the 1920s seem to think so. For example, Andrew Napolitano (a senior judicial analyst for Fox News) argues, “Salary caps are unconstitutional because they violate the well-grounded doctrine against unconstitutional conditions.” In other words, the government may not require someone to give up a constitutional [...]

Dec

2

Auto-Bailout for Big Three?

December 2, 2008 | 1 Comment

In response to Kevin’s post, I have to take sides with the bankruptcy opinion.  The bailout, explained by Richard Shelby (thanks Oliver), seems to be providing a short-term solution.  The American auto industry is not even confident they will be able to pay the federal loans back.  The need for a major reconstruction of these [...]

Nov

21

What to Do with Detroit?

November 21, 2008 | 1 Comment

Automakers this week went before Congress to try to convince them that they needed a $25 billion bailout to avoid a massive disaster that would result in the loss of millions of American jobs.  Congress remained unmoved.  Congress gave the executives of these companies a little under two weeks to come up with a plan [...]

Oct

24

Economic Worries Affect Renewable Energy Research

October 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment

As the economy continues to struggle, and news of major world leaders meeting to discuss the crisis, many people wish they could get a break anywhere. At least we can look forward to cheaper renewable energy soon. Both Presidential candidates are offering “green collar” job plans, hoping to grow our economy and our independence from [...]

Oct

17

The Latest Victim of Economic Downturn: Climate Change Policy

October 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment

In the last several weeks, the American media has been inundated with worries about recent economic problems.  President Bush and both presidential candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain, have focused on the effects of the economy on the housing market, spending, taxes, and other domestic issues.  However, the worldwide economic [...]

Sep

26

Is the Federal Bailout Plan Enough

September 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment

This past week has not been kind to Wall Street.
Just shortly after the government takeover of mortgage buyer giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Wall Street entered into a major downward spiral. The investment bank Lehman Bros. declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy, American International Group faced a downgrade, Merrill Lynch was bought by Bank of America, [...]