Outside the Beltway

Congressmen apparently regularly make investment moves based on the information they learn. Of course, for them it isn’t illegal.

Last night, most of the leading Republican candidates for President acted as if Europe was on another planet.

It was clear from the start that “Cash For Clunkers” was a bad idea.

Apparently, the Federal Government believes it necessary to remind you that you can buy Christmas Trees.

A dwindling proportion of students are majoring in STEM fields. They’re likely making the wise choice.

The popular program was even less successful than we initially thought.

If you thought Niall Ferguson was an insufferable git in print, just wait

Barry Ritholtz lists a dozen causes of the financial crisis.

Federal government workers make less than their private sector counterparts, a new study compiled by federal workers reveals.

When the CFTC wanted to change a rule, Jon Corzine used his influence to stop them.

Another month, another jobs report that makes you go “meh.”

The Greek referendum could be a disaster for the global economy. And might be the right thing to do.

It’s the 5% versus the 1% moreso than the 99% against the 1%.

Social Security outlays are exceeding its income. Is that really a problem?

Increasing taxes on the rich may be a fiscal policy worth talking about, but it won’t make the poor richer.

European leaders continue to kick the can down the road on a crisis that could bring down the global economy.

A new patent granted to Apple raises once again the question of how far patent protections should extend.

Banks have more money than they can lend out profitably.

Finding a job gets harder when businesses discover they don’t need to hire as many people as they used to.

In Louisiana, that cash in your pocket is now worthless if you want to buy used goods.

Is it time to just admit that the good old days are over?

Some on the right are giving Occupy Wall Street and The 99%’ers a second look.

Protests at least loosely affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement were conducted around the globe yesterday.

After years of fighting inflation, some are now urging the Fed to instead target GDP growth and jobs.

Ronald Reagan’s chief economist has a radical plan for solving the housing crisis.

The Tea Party flame was lit by the battle over TARP, but they quickly forgot about those bailouts that supposedly upset them so much.

Now that he’s a top tier candidate, it’s hard to see how Herman Cain’s tax plan can withstand serious scrutiny.

By looking only in one direction, Occupy Wall Street is missing the big picture.

A change to the Bankruptcy Code could go a long way toward alleviating the burden of student loan debt that seems to be motivating some in the “Occupy Wall Street” movement.

The prospects for real economic recovery are not good.

American has real economic and social problems. But the solution in on Capitol Hill, not Wall Street.

With the advantage of hindsight, it’s clear that more creative strategies were needed. But they probably couldn’t have been passed.

It’s time to start being concerned about Europe.

Are the worries about China overtaking the United States realistic?

September’s jobs report was better than expected, but still not very good.

Listing affiliation with gay activist groups hinders one’s chances of landing a job interview.