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Briefing Obama vs. Romney 101: 5 ways they differ on jobs

Whether Mitt Romney or Barack Obama occupies the White House in January, one of them will have to deal with more than 12 million jobless Americans, or a little over 8 percent of the total workforce. Where do the candidates stand on issues relating to jobs?

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Robert Reich Stop subsidizing sky-high CEO salaries.

Taxpayers are paying for CEOs to receive huge salaries, as corporations deduct executives' compensation from income taxes. What's the solution?
How immigration reform might also spur young Americans to study math, science

Measures in immigration reform legislation would channel fees from high-skilled visas into investments for American students to delve into science, technology, engineering, and math.
Tax VOX Want to understand tax reform? Read this report.

The Joint Tax Committee’s Tax Reform Working Group Report is must-read material for tax geeks, or even normal people who want to keep up with the ongoing debate over tax reform, Gleckman writes.
The New Economy GDP up 2.5 percent: Smaller-than-expected bounce for US economy

GDP flashed 2.5 percent growth in the first quarter: much better than the fourth quarter but below expectations. Economists expect another slowdown in GDP growth for the summer.
Behind-the-scenes deal pushes immigration reform closer to reality

The US Chamber of Commerce and the AFL-CIO came up with a framework for solving one of the thorniest issues in immigration reform. The agreement shows momentum is growing.
The New Economy Obama proposes $9/hour minimum wage. OK, says business owner.

When President Obama proposed raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to $9 an hour, one Virginia business owner decided to do it on the spot.
Immigration reform 101: Is a sensible guest-worker program possible?

The immigration-reform plan proposed by a group of bipartisan senators seeks to establish a flexible guest-worker program. But labor and business want to do that in two very different ways.
The New Economy US job growth like 'Groundhog Day' – all over again

US economy adds 157,000 jobs in January – tepid growth that the labor market can't seem to break out of. But upward revisions to last year's job numbers suggest the US has regained 61 percent of the employment it lost during the Great Recession.
Robert Reich Society is not a zero-sum game

Wealthy Americans would do better with smaller shares of a rapidly-growing economy than with the large shares they now possess of an economy that’s barely moving, Reich writes.
One million workers get pay boost as 10 states adjust minimum wage

Nine states adjust minimum wage yearly to account for inflation and a tenth passed a new law raising minimum wage. Experts still debate minimum wage's impact on the economy.
Audits looking for undocumented immigrants on the rise

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has reported auditing more companies than ever before to look for undocumented workers on the payroll. Though President Obama has supported a path to legal status for many immigrants, he also supports penalties for companies that purposely hire illegal immigrants.
Will new right-to-work laws worsen the gender pay gap in Michigan?

Michigan already ranks among the worst states for gender pay equity. Critics of its new 'right-to-work' laws say they limit the power of unions, which historically have helped close wage gaps.
In right-to-work debate where's the evidence? (+video)

Neither supporters nor opponents of right-to-work legislation in Michigan have been able to prove right-to-work laws in other states have a significant impact on the economy.
Michigan to join 'right to work' states. A blow to unions?

Michigan is set to become the 24th state with a 'right to work' law prohibiting unions from collecting fees from nonunion workers. Data on such laws' economic impact are mixed.
Robert Reich Fiscal cliff would hurt low-wage workers the most

Fiscal cliff drama in Washington coinciding with strikes and work stoppages among America’s lowest-paid workers, at Walmart and fast food restaurants, is no coincidence. If Congress goes over, these are the people who will feel the pinch.
Energy Voices Fossil-fuel makeover: 'Clean' and 'green' is as polluting as ever

Coal and oil companies are pouring millions of dollars to style themselves as clean and 'green.' But just because they say it doesn't make it true.
Decoder Wire Unemployment rate tampering? Why conspiracy theorists went wild.

Retired GE CEO Jack Welch saw Friday's jobs report, with its 7.8 percent unemployment rate, as 'unbelievable.' Others on the right piled on, suggesting Obama administration tampering. But the jobs number in question has been known to vary widely month to month.
Unemployed and overlooked: Labor force rate of participation down drastically

Since 2007, 4 million people have left the labor force, in many cases because they have given up looking for jobs. If these 'discouraged jobseekers' were counted in the jobless rate, August's numbers would have been 10.5 percent.
Briefing Obama vs. Romney 101: 5 ways they differ on jobs

Whether Mitt Romney or Barack Obama occupies the White House in January, one of them will have to deal with more than 12 million jobless Americans, or a little over 8 percent of the total workforce. Where do the candidates stand on issues relating to jobs?
Robert Reich Romney/Ryan economic plan: Five reasons it's a disaster for America

Mitt Romney calls Paul Ryan's detailed budget plan 'marvelous,' and 'bold.' But it would boost unemployment, lower taxes on the wealthy, and slash infrastructure. Is that the kind of boldness we need?
Stock market jumps at news that economy added 163,000 jobs in July

Wall Street reacts with glee to higher-then-expected job growth in July, led by the auto sector and restaurants. But for the millions of jobless, the key figure in Friday's report may be the unemployment rate, which ticked up to 8.3 percent.
With Indiana 'right to work' vote, a GOP thumb in the eye to unions

The Indiana House approved a 'right to work' bill late Tuesday, taking the state a giant step closer to ruling out mandatory dues for workers at union workplaces. Indiana would be the first 'right to work' state in the upper Midwest.
The hidden issue in South Carolina primary: labor union clout

Mitt Romney in particular has used the South Carolina primary to test anti-labor union policies as a campaign issue. His pitch to expand right-to-work laws could lead to Wisconsin redux.
The Daily Reckoning Economy: Why the 'good' news isn't

Global financial news has been good ever since the Fed decided to print more money. But consumers still aren't spending, and the new employment figures are hardly signs of real recovery
Unemployment rate falls to 8.5%; GOP still using jobs as battering ram (+video)

The US economy netted 200,000 new jobs in December, and the unemployment rate fell. Even as Democratic politicians hail the jobs report, Republicans say any number above 8 percent is unacceptable by now.