09 | January | 2012

Friday, May 24, 2013

Phoenix Home Sales Up By 9%, Prices Are Stable

Mark J. Perry | January 9, 2012, 8:04 pm

DQ News — “The number of homes that resold in the Phoenix area rose above a year earlier for the twelfth month in a row in November as activity increased across the price spectrum. A variety of median sale price … read more >

Economics

The shock resignation of Swiss banker Hildebrand: Credibility must be continuously earned

Daniel Hanson | January 9, 2012, 4:30 pm

It’s hard not to feel bad for Philipp Hildebrand, the former head of the Swiss National Bank who resigned this morning amid allegations of insider trading. His resignation came as a surprise, but was not altogether unwarranted given the scope … read more >

Society and Culture, Education

Huntsman’s bold policy agenda just got even bolder

James Pethokoukis | January 9, 2012, 3:47 pm

With a strong showing tomorrow in New Hampshire, Jon Huntsman’s presidential campaign could gain the spark of life needed to eventually make the former Utah governor and U.S. ambassador to China the last anti-Romney standing. Or the effort could come … read more >

Foreign and Defense Policy, Latin America

Bipartisan concern over Iranian influence in Latin America

Roger Noriega | January 9, 2012, 3:26 pm

Bipartisan concern over Iran’s creeping shadow in Latin America can be credited for the Obama administration’s decision Saturday to expel a Venezuelan diplomat caught on videotape urging purported hackers to break in to U.S. government websites. Last month, the Spanish-language … read more >

Politics and Public Opinion

Bill Daley’s disastrous year as Obama’s chief of staff

James Pethokoukis | January 9, 2012, 2:41 pm

So Bill Daley is heading for the exit: Chicagoan Bill Daley is stepping down as White House chief of staff and budget director Jack Lew is taking over the president’s team as it heads into a tough election year, senior … read more >

Economics

Yes, Obama really is considering a mass refi plan

James Pethokoukis | January 9, 2012, 2:03 pm

I’m amazed there’s so much skepticism about my blog post suggesting the Obama White House would consider a $1 trillion, mass mortgage-refinancing plan through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. There really shouldn’t be. Here’s why: 1. The White House gave … read more >

Economics

Lake Wobegon professors and the origin of grade inflation

Nick Schulz | January 9, 2012, 2:01 pm

Tim Taylor has a fun post highlighting new research that looks at the grading practices of Republican and Democratic professors. According to new research (emphasis added): Relative to their Democratic colleagues, Republican professors tend to assign more very low and … read more >

Carpe Diem

Quote of the Day: The Glory of the Market vs. the Compulsory Monopoly of Bureaucratic Government

Mark J. Perry | January 9, 2012, 1:45 pm

“The essence and the glory of the free market is that individual firms and businesses, competing on the market, provide an ever-changing orchestration of efficient and progressive goods and services: continually improving products and markets, advancing technology, cutting costs, and … read more >

Politics and Public Opinion

‘When Mitt Romney Came to Town’ looks like second-rate Michael Moore

James Pethokoukis | January 9, 2012, 1:11 pm

“When Mitt Romney Came to Town,” the film being trotted out by the pro-Newt Gingrich SuperPac, Winning Our Future, has it all: the goof photo of Romney and his partners waving dollar bills, teary/angry testimonials from fired workers at Bain-run companies, scary … read more >

Carpe Diem

Markets in Everything: Beer for Dogs

Mark J. Perry | January 9, 2012, 1:11 pm

What’s in Bowser Beer? (yes, it’s really for dogs!)USDA beef or chicken.Malt barley (full of B-vitamins) –just like in your beer.Glucosamine for joint health. What’s NOT in Bowser Beer:Alcohol or carbonation.Hops,which can be toxic to dogs.Commercial broth,which contains loads of … read more >