- Payroll tax deal close: Why did Republicans back down? (+video)
- Israel says Bangkok, Delhi, and Tbilisi attacks all linked – to Iran
- Rick Santorum's new machine-gun ad: Will it work? (+video)
- As Sarkozy seeks new term, French are wary of 'Merkozy' (+video)
- Honduras prison fire kills more than 300, highlights regional problem (+video)
David R. Francis
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Social Security: a target without a cause
Conservative Republicans want to cut Social Security, even though it's not a major contributor to US debt. A better solution to future Social Security shortfalls is a thriving economy.
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Estate taxes: States will want their cut, too
Nineteen states already have estate taxes. Expect them to raise rates and other states to impose estate taxes.
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Medicare, Obamacare future? Snip, snip, snip.
Medicare and the new federal health-insurance program will boost costs that Congress will have to rein in.
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How best to boost the 'working poor'?
Nearly 1 in 3 working families now qualify as 'working poor.' More affordable college – and a more progressive tax system – would help.
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Is honesty waning in American business?
US slips from 19 to 22 in latest ranking of perceived public corruption.
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Fed basher Ron Paul should focus on outcome, not process
Rep. Ron Paul wants to reform how monetary policy is made. Other reformers suggest looking at policy outcomes.
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Not much stimulus from tax-cut deal
How much did the $862 billion stimulus package really help? Will the new tax cuts make any difference?
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Bankers arouse public anger. But will they change?
Bankers from Lehman Brothers to Ireland and beyond are increasingly unpopular, but that hasn't impacted their salaries much.
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Cut America's debt, but spare Social Security
Congress can cut the budget without hurting Social Security, Medicare, and other social insurance programs.
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Slow decade ahead for US, not a lost one
US economy won't endure a 'lost decade' the way Japan did.
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Don't understand the economy? It's not your fault.
Even economists don't fully understand the complicated global economy..
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Want to slash poverty? Look to Latin America.
While poverty has grown in the United States, it's been shrinking in Central and South America.
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The other recovery to watch: world trade
World trade suffered its worst slump since the Great Depression in 2008 and 2009.
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'Obamacare' tackles health care costs. Will Congress?
The president's health care reform plan includes tools to restrain rising health-care costs, but they may not survive future political battles.
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Currency market: Fix the rules. Avoid a trade war.
Currency market adjustments are a major focus of Friday's G-20 meeting of finance ministers and central bankers.
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Is the US system rigged for the rich?
While the poor get social programs worth $365 billion, the rich get more. Subsidies to help the prosperous build wealth added up to $384 billion last year.
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Now, US can get tough with China on currency
Changing economic conditions in China and the US have made it possible for the US government to take action on China's manipulation of the yuan.
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Tax the rich, not small business
Small business growth powers the economy. If Obama extends the tax cuts on small business owners, will that hurt more than it helps?
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This jobless recovery could be the worst yet
Shifting attitudes towards employees may make this recovery the weakest in 30 years for job creation.
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Stock market trading: Computers: 1 Investors: 0
Stock market is increasingly turning into a casino as superfast computers take over the bulk of trading on the stock market.
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