Topic: Government Spending
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From Willie Horton to windsurfing: Five top political attack ads
Political attacks ads: love 'em or hate 'em, but they’re here to stay, and this election year stands to be a watershed moment in their use. Here's a look at what are considered to be some of the most memorable and effective attack ads utilized over the years.
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Could 'fiscal cliff' push US into recession? Five questions answered.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) warned in a report Tuesday that if Congress does not deal with a raft of fiscal measures by Dec. 31, the US could enter another recession. So what is this fiscal cliff and what is Congress doing about it?
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Briefing
Six 2012 races where the tea party counts
After playing kingmaker in the 2010 election cycle, the tea party movement is having a less prominent role in 2012. But its support or opposition could swing some key races and even determine whether Republicans win control of the Senate. Here are six US Senate contests where the tea party could make a difference.
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Briefing
Buffett rule: Five questions about Obama's plan answered
President Obama wants a proposed "Buffett rule" to make sure that millionaires pay at least a 30 percent federal tax rate. Here are five facts that shed light on the Buffett rule and the debate surrounding it.
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Afghanistan: 5 areas of concern after the US leaves
The withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan will have profound, direct effects on the country's security, economy, and society. Here are five areas that are likely to see an impact.
All Content
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With 'God on their side,' Romney and Republicans may very well prevail
Mitt Romney's Texas primary win secured him the Republican nomination. Now the GOP wants the support of every major US religion. Mormons, Jews, and Catholics identify with the party in increasing numbers. That helps Republicans erode the Democratic base.
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Focus
Next week's Wisconsin recall: a test drive of themes for Election 2012
Wisconsin recall election between Gov. Scott Walker (R) and Tom Barrett (D) enters its last furious week. It is a proving ground for the themes and players of the national election in November, analysts say.
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Tax VOX
New online tool to help families maximize tax, transfer benefits
State taxes and transfers can be an important, albeit complicated form of assistance for low-income families. A new interactive calculator aims to help guide families through the process, including the options when family income increases.
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Decoder Wire
Obama blames Romney for spreading 'cow pie of distortion.' Is he right? (+video)
Mitt Romney had criticized the Obama administration's accumulation of US debt. Big numbers such as America’s debt may seem solid, but they’re not.
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Economist Mom
Turning the 'fiscal cliff' into a gentle slope
Economists and policymakers worry that the recovering US economy won't be able to handle the amount of deficit reduction headed its way in the coming months. It can;t be avoided, but it can be made easier to overcome.
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From Willie Horton to windsurfing: Five top political attack ads
Political attacks ads: love 'em or hate 'em, but they’re here to stay, and this election year stands to be a watershed moment in their use. Here's a look at what are considered to be some of the most memorable and effective attack ads utilized over the years.
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Decoder Wire
New Romney ad outlines Day 1 of his presidency. Realistic? (+video)
If Mitt Romney is elected president, he'll have a busy first day, according to a new ad that outlines his priorities. But the ad may overpromise on what a President Romney could deliver.
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Mitt Romney unveils education reform plan heavy on 'parental choice' (+video)
Mitt Romney's plan for education reform challenges President Obama and teacher's unions, including federal money for some low-income and disabled students to attend private schools.
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Could 'fiscal cliff' push US into recession? Five questions answered.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) warned in a report Tuesday that if Congress does not deal with a raft of fiscal measures by Dec. 31, the US could enter another recession. So what is this fiscal cliff and what is Congress doing about it?
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Mitt Romney's voucher-like education overhaul (+video)
Romney, who has been reluctant to stray far from the economic issues at the core of the presidential campaign, was outlining the proposal during a speech Wednesday at the US Chamber of Commerce.
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Stefan Karlsson
Will Greek default really mean leaving the EU?
German leaders have warned that if Greece cancels its austerity measures, Germany and others will stop funding the Greek budget deficit. That may not necessarily mean that Greece will be forced to exit the EU and reintroduce the drachma.
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Beyond Afghanistan, a weakened NATO can still write its own future
As the NATO summit in Chicago wraps up, it’s clear that NATO is in a tough spot, navigating a tenuous transition in Afghanistan as a prolonged euro crisis slashes its capability. NATO must look closer to home to restore its credibility in areas our citizens agree are high priorities.
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House reauthorizes Afghan conflict in bipartisan vote
They rejected an amendment that would have required troops to be swiftly withdrawn.
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Stefan Karlsson
Sweden: a spending reduction success story
Since 2006, when the current Swedish government was elected, government spending relative to GDP fell from 52.9 percent in 2006 to 51.8 percent in 2011, faring much better than the global average.
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Paralyzed woman masters mind-controlled robotic arm
Cathy Hutchinson is one of two patients undergoing a trial of the BrainGate neural interface, a system designed to transmit paralyzed patients' thoughts into commands.
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Senate Republicans plead for a budget as frustrations boil over
Senate Republicans proposed five budgets Wednesday, but the Democratic-controlled Senate defeated them all. Republicans say Democrats are punting on tough choices, Democrats say they already have a budget.
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Decoder Wire
Is Washington careening toward another debt limit crisis?
Another showdown appears to be brewing over the national debt limit – and under what conditions Congress will raise it next time. But something big will happen between now and then that may prevent it.
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Economist Mom
Creating jobs while reducing the deficit: hard but possible
Just because deficit spending in general can be helpful in a recession and recovery and harmful in general in a recovered economy, doesn’t mean all deficit spending is equally good in a recession and recovery, or all deficit spending is equally bad in a full-employment economy. There are benefits and costs in either situation.
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Romney hits back on economy, says Obama causing a 'prairie fire of debt' (+video)
The GOP candidate was in Iowa, making his case that the President's administration has not done enough to keep the country fiscally sound.
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States should fold on Internet gambling
California and New Jersey, each seek more revenue, are leading the states toward Internet gambling, starting with online poker. But this all-too-easy form of gaming would come with at a high cost to society – and government.
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Decoder Wire
John Boehner fires opening shot in potential debt-ceiling showdown
In a speech Tuesday, Speaker John Boehner will lay out his expectations for how the debt ceiling will be handled in the next round. His plan harks back to the House Republicans' position last year.
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Jerry Brown proposes billions in cuts. Are Californians getting his message?
With California's budget shortfall soaring, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) proposes broad, painful cuts for state workers and programs. Without new taxes, he warns voters, the cuts will be even worse.
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California facing higher $16 billion shortfall
California's budget deficit has swelled to $16 billion and will force severe cuts to schools and public safety if voters fail to approve tax increases in November, warns Gov. Jerry Brown.
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Decoder Wire
How the sequester could save Democrats in December
Congress has an apocalyptic list of issues to deal with after the November elections, including the Bush tax cuts and the sequester. Any chance for compromise could rest on Democrats' willingness to be as ruthless as Republicans have been.
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Appalled by sequester cuts, House begins efforts to avoid them
The House on Thursday passed a measure that would spare the Pentagon from looming cuts by making deeper cuts to social programs. But Congress isn't expected to get serious about altering the debt deal's $109 billion sequester until after the November election.
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