Topic: National Bureau of Economic Research

Opinion: Proposals to ban purchase of sugary drink with food stamps won't work

The same flaws that caused a New York judge to overturn Mayor Bloomberg's ban on big sugary drinks are inherent in proposals to ban the purchase of sugary drinks using food stamps. Such bans are unlikely to help fight obesity and can do substantial damage to the safety net.

Decoder Wire Romney, Obama, and 'redistribution': How much do US taxes reallocate wealth? (+video)

The federal tax system is 'progressive' – meaning wealthier people pay taxes at a higher rate than others. It is, in effect, a wealth redistribution mechanism. But it's not new to Obama, or even more pronounced under him.

Energy Voices Recession and jobs: Is energy the driver?

Economic and job growth are closely tied to energy consumption. While jobs can grow faster than energy use when efficiency kicks in, the cost may be lower wages. 

Economist Mom Q: How is college like owner-occupied housing?

In light of the rising costs of college tuition around the country, coupled with the staggering amount of debt students have accumulated, studies are being done to examine a possible causal connection between expanding federal aid programs and tuition hikes.

The Monitor's View: Righting wrongs in China depends on rights

Dissident Chen Guangcheng is speaking out about the need for rule of law in China. But the party is slowly accepting individual rights. And studies show those few rights are yielding positive results.

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.

Retirement planning: Stocks rebound, not confidence

Retirement planning looks as daunting as ever, according to a new survey. Although the stock market has rebounded, only 14 percent of Americans, a historic low, are very confident their savings and retirement planning will be adequate. 

Mortgage rates remain at near record lows

Mortgage rates fall slightly, drifting closer to recent record-low levels. Will these mortgage rates last for long?

European men losing jobs faster than women

A new study by the European Union found that unemployment is having a disproportionate effect on men because male-dominated industries have been hit hardest by the recession.

How Congress can cap tax breaks

It's possible to reduce tax subsidies for wealthy Americans and reduce the deficit. Here are three proposals how:

CEOs tend to have names like 'Peter,' 'Bob,' and 'Jack,' according to LinkedIn

An analysis of the 100 million or so profiles on the professional networking site LinkedIn has found an unusually high rate of four-letter names among male CEOs. The top female CEO names are 'Deborah,' 'Sally,' and 'Debra.'

Recession officially over, use of food stamps stays at record high

Increased need and eased eligibility requirements are reasons use of food stamps remains high. A food stamp 'debit card' reduces the stigma, too.

The middle class: key to the economy -- and the mid-term election

Rebuilding middle-class confidence is crucial to restarting the economy. More than anything else, steady, well-paying Jobs are crucial to middle-class confidence. Election 2010 could hinge on that.

Report calls obesity a threat to US national security

Obesity among military-aged men and women is on the rise, leaving a smaller pool of people fit to serve.

Top 12 terrible signs that the recession isn't actually over

NBER recently announced that the recession ended in June, 2009. Here are 12 counter-arguments.

Recession over because Delaware has elected a witch, David Letterman says

Recession over? Leno, Letterman, Stewart, Colbert line up to give their take on the announcement from the National Bureau of Economic Research

NBER: Recession ended last June

The recession is over, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). Have you noticed the sudden upswing of the economy?

Great recession over? Not much help to Obama on CNBC live.

Great recession gives way to tepid recovery that leaves voters worried, exhausted on CNBC live event with President Obama.

Silver lining in the Dow's drop: record low mortgage rates

The Dow average is down 438 points over two days as investors move from stocks to Treasuries. That's pushing mortgage rates to 50-year lows.

Obama's stimulus did NOT raise government spending

Belt-tightening by state and local governments offset almost all of President Obama's stimulus spending, according to a recent study.

Boston and the National Bureau of Economic Research

Boston recently hosted the National Bureau of Economic Research environmental economics meetings.

Has the 'great recession' ended?

Could economists give pitchers a World Series edge?

Two economists offer advice to pitchers looking for an advantage. Will it work in the World Series?

Opinion: Did Bernanke save us from another Great Depression?

Not exactly.

Bernanke says recession is technically over

But the Federal Reserve head, Ben Bernanke, also warns that the economy will still feel weak, in terms of jobs and wages, for some time.