15 | December | 2011

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

November Exports from L.A. Port Set New Record

Mark J. Perry | December 15, 2011, 10:45 pm

The number of loaded export containers leaving the Los Angeles Port in November for overseas destinations reached a record high of 195,877 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), beating the previous record of 193,547 TEUs in October (see chart above). November exports … read more >

Carpe Diem

Thursday’s Economic Data

Mark J. Perry | December 15, 2011, 8:15 pm

1. 30-year mortgage rates fell to a new record low this week of 3.94%, along with a new record low for 15-year rates at 3.21%. 2. The Empire State Manufacturing Survey for manufacturing activity showed a strong improvement in December. The … read more >

Economics, Health Care

One step closer to a Medicare reform that can work

Joseph Antos | December 15, 2011, 3:46 pm

The Medicare reform proposal released today by Representative Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) recognizes that even the federal government cannot guarantee to pay for health services, or anything else, without limit. The new proposal is more realistic … read more >

Foreign and Defense Policy

Herman Cain still wants to be secretary of Defense?

Marc Thiessen | December 15, 2011, 3:20 pm

Herman Cain certainly deserved to be on Barbara Walters’s “10 Most Fascinating People” of 2011 special last night. But considering how his campaign imploded, it was a bit surprising to see his answer when Walters asked what Cabinet position he would … read more >

Economics, Entitlements

My Q&A with Paul Ryan on his new Medicare reform plan

James Pethokoukis | December 15, 2011, 3:03 pm

Rep. Paul Ryan and Sen. Ron Wyden have co-authored a new Medicare reform plan. It’s based around the idea of a “premium support” system where seniors, with federal financial help, could choose from a menu of private plans, each offering Medicare … read more >

Carpe Diem

Weekly Jobless Claims Fall to 3.5 Year Low

Mark J. Perry | December 15, 2011, 1:58 pm

The Department of Labor reported today that seasonally-adjusted jobless claims fell to 366,000 for the week ending December 10, which is the lowest level since May 2008, three and-a-half years ago. That was far below the increase to 390,000 claims … read more >

Economics

Keeping the United States solvent, one crisis at a time

Daniel Hanson | December 15, 2011, 12:50 pm

Mid-summer, U.S. prime money market funds became aware that they were alarmingly exposed to the eurozone crisis through their holdings in European banks. At that time, more than 45 percent—more than $1 trillion—of U.S. MMFs were invested in European banks … read more >

Foreign and Defense Policy

‘End this war’ is not a strategy

Frederick W. Kagan | December 15, 2011, 12:49 pm

The end of American military presence in Iraq is not the end of Iraq or the end of America’s interests in Iraq. The worst manifestation of the Vietnam complex that has informed so many decisions about American policy in Iraq … read more >

Foreign and Defense Policy, Terrorism

New York Times still denying Al Qaeda in Iraq is Al Qaeda

Marc Thiessen | December 15, 2011, 11:12 am

In a story on the pending departure of U.S. forces from Iraq, the New York Times yesterday referred to “al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, the homegrown Qaeda affiliate in Iraq, which has some foreign members.” Boy, the folks at the Times … read more >

Foreign and Defense Policy, Europe and Russia

The U.S. could be out $1 trillion if the euro zone collapses

James Pethokoukis | December 15, 2011, 10:24 am

The attempt to bail out Europe has already begun. And America is on the hook for plenty. First AEI’s Desmond Lachman outlines the problem (bold for emphasis): 1. IMF lending commitments already made to Greece, Ireland, and Portugal total over US$ … read more >