Bipartisan Blight

Robert L. Borosage, 12.29.2009

Co-Director of the Campaign for America’s Future

Health care reform suffered the torments of partisan obstruction. Now gird yourself for financial reform and the perils of bipartisan blight.

Up with Avatar: The Aughts & 2009 In Capitalist Perspective

Michael B. Laskoff, 12.26.2009

"...content against obedience..." W.S.

As the year and the decade draw to a close, I'm strangely optimistic. True, there are many reasons for pessimism. But over the past week, I have found reasons to at least be cheerful in popular entertainment.

Among Other Obstacles on the Road To Recovery: A New Consumer Behavior

Prune Perromat, 12.21.2009

Freelance multimedia journalist in New York. Formerly with the BBC and Agence France Presse

The future of the American economy will depend to a great extent on consumers' attitudes, which have changed deeply and perhaps permanently in this recession.

Sunday Roundup

Arianna Huffington, 12.20.2009

This week, Time named Fed chair Ben Bernanke its Person of the Year. The magazine says its choice is "not an award," but rather a recognition of the person who "most influenced the news during the past year -- for good or for ill." Based on that criterion, Time should, without a doubt, have picked Washington lobbyists -- because no person or group was more influential in 2009. After an inspiring presidential campaign that promised to take on the special interests, the lobbyists flexed their muscles (and their wallets) and showed who really runs the show in DC. Lobbyists carried the day on health insurance reform, banking reform, financial reform, drug pricing, cramdown legislation, and credit card interest rates, to name just a few. And every time they won, the American people lost. It's Time for a reshoot. The Lobbyists: The Real Persons of the Year.

A More Honest Look at Time Person of the Year Ben Bernanke

Damien Hoffman, 12.18.2009

Editor-in-Chief, Wall St. Cheat Sheet

While it is true that Bernanke "most influenced the news during the past year," Time is embarrassingly wrong in declaring Bernanke our financial lord and savior.

Iranian Protesters Win the Vote, But Time Picks Bernanke

Sam Sedaei, 12.21.2009

International Civil Resistance Trainer, Producer, International Affairs Contributor

Looking beyond Ben Bernanke's merits as an effective chairman, there are three reasons why this was a poor selection on Time's part.

Corrected: TIME's Person of the Year

Tom Gregory, 12.17.2009

Actor, radio personality, and Tony nominated producer

Time Magazine's Person of The Year Joke

Earl Ofari Hutchinson, 12.17.2009

Political Analyst and Social Issues Commentator

Time Magazine's editors got a jump on April Fools Day when they named Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke its Person of the Year. Here's what Bernanke did sin...

Looking Back on the Year of the Woman

Meredith C. Carroll, 12.16.2009

Colorado Columnist

Time magazine had several contenders for its annual Person of the Year issue, including Timothy Geithner, Stanley McChrystal, Usain Bolt and, of cours...

Federal Reserve: Are You Listening To Your Own Data?

Eric Lotke, 12.17.2009

Research Director at the Campaign for America's Future and author of 2044

Even if utilization rose to 71.3 percent, more than a quarter of our nation's productive capacity is still lying idle.

China Swaps US Debt for Equity: All Problems Solved!

Tom Gregory, 12.13.2009

Actor, radio personality, and Tony nominated producer

Goldman Sachs has announced that its Treasury Dept. has completed a debt for equity swap with the People's Republic of China, effectively solving most of America's problems.

Friday Talking Points [104] -- Washington Frenzy

Chris Weigant, 12.13.2009

Author, Political Commentator, and Blogger (ChrisWeigant.com)

After taking more time off than George Bush ever did, Congress finds itself at the year's end with a whole stack of things to accomplish. Which results in a frenzy of things getting passed, or at least debated.

Preventing Political Moral Hazard Means Stopping Bernanke

David Sirota, 12.11.2009

Newspaper columnist, radio host (AM760), bestselling author

Bernanke has been called "the definition of moral hazard" because if he is confirmed, it will send a message to all other federal regulators that they can fall down on the job and still get promoted.

Moving the Senate Banking Committee to "No" on Bernanke

David Sirota, 12.08.2009

Newspaper columnist, radio host (AM760), bestselling author

Thanks to a bipartisan effort to stop the reappointment of Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, there's a slim -- but distinct -- possibility that his reappointment can actually be successfully thwarted.

Yes, Virginia, It Is Bernanke's Fault

Dean Baker, 12.08.2009

Co-Director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research

It is striking how the media view blaming Mr. Bernanke for the Great Recession as being out of bounds. Bernanke bears much of the blame for this economic collapse.

Analysis: Good News on Jobs, But Will it Last?

Lakshman Achuthan, 12.04.2009

Lakshman Achuthan is managing director of the Economic Cycle Research Institute.

The "great moderation" of business cycles once extolled by many economists, Ben Bernanke, is history. The trend rate of growth is shriveling. In other words, business cycles are back with a vengeance.

Geithner as Martyr to an Ungrateful Nation: Bo Cutter's Tragicomic Portrayal of Tim as a "Man for all Seasons" (Part 2)

William K. Black, 12.04.2009

Assoc. Professor, Univ. of Missouri, Kansas City; Sr. regulator during S&L debacle

Bo views Geithner as a martyr subjected to unfounded, ungrateful attacks for his actions that prevented the Second Great Depression. Bo doesn't have much use for Americans that are upset with finance industry.

Where Was the Fed?

Sen. Bernie Sanders, 12.04.2009

Independent U.S. Senator from Vermont

America voted last year to put the interests of ordinary people ahead of the greed of Wall Street. What they didn't bargain for was another four years for one of the key architects of the Bush economy.

Hell No on Bernanke!

Cenk Uygur, 12.03.2009

Host of The Young Turks

Is Ben Bernanke the change we voted for? How can anyone believe that? What is the matter with Obama? Picking the same guy as Bush, and the same exact guy who was at the helm when the economy crashed.

Fraud and Failure: Bo Cutter's Indictment of the Finance Industry (Part 1)

William K. Black, 12.04.2009

Assoc. Professor, Univ. of Missouri, Kansas City; Sr. regulator during S&L debacle

Obama's Office of Management and Budget transition team leader Bo Cutter has presented the best possible defense of Treasury Secretary Geithner.

Bernanke Must Answer for Dark of Night Change in Bank Regs

David Segal, 12.03.2009

Rhode Island State Rep.

In its new regulations, the Fed did Americans a huge disservice, doing away with consumers' potential right of recovery of overdraft charges -- which will total nearly $37.5 billion in 2009 alone.