22 | February | 2012

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Two big problems with Obama’s corporate tax proposal

Aparna Mathur | February 22, 2012, 4:59 pm

The Obama administration’s plan to cut the corporate rate to 28 percent goes some way toward improving the competitiveness of the U.S. economy as a destination for investment flows, relative to the other OECD countries. However, the plan also calls … read more >

Carpe Diem

Months Supply of Homes Close to Six-Year Low

Mark J. Perry | February 22, 2012, 3:44 pm

In another sign of a housing recovery, the National Association of Realtors reported today that “U.S. home resales surged in January to a 1-1/2 year high and the supply of properties on the market was the lowest in almost seven … read more >

Carpe Diem

Economic Lessons in the News

Mark J. Perry | February 22, 2012, 3:15 pm

1. The U.K. government is learning about the economic lesson that “if you tax something, you get less of it.” Following an increase in the top marginal income tax rate to 50%, tax revenues from high-income taxpayers are falling, and … read more >

Carpe Diem

Architecture Indexes and Homebuilder ETF: Has A Turning Point in Construction Arrived?

Mark J. Perry | February 22, 2012, 2:37 pm

February 22, 2012 – “On the heels of consecutive months of strengthening business conditions, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has now reached positive territory three months in a row (see red line in chart above). As a leading economic indicator … read more >

Economics, Taxes and Spending

New Romney tax plan goes the full Reagan

James Pethokoukis | February 22, 2012, 1:48 pm

Back in January 1983, the Wall Street Journal published an editorial with the headline ”Finally, a Tax Cut,” referring to how the bulk of President Ronald Reagan’s tax reductions didn’t kick in until that year. It was as much an expression of relief … read more >

Economics, Taxes and Spending

Here’s the new and improved Romney tax cut plan

James Pethokoukis | February 22, 2012, 12:36 pm

Here are the details of Mitt Romney’s new tax cut plan. My analysis is coming up: – Make Permanent, Across-The-Board 20 Percent Cut In Marginal Rates. This bold stroke reduces the tax on the next dollar of income earned for … read more >

Economics, Taxes and Spending

Sorry, Kevin Drum, even the effective U.S. corporate tax rate is sky high

James Pethokoukis | February 22, 2012, 12:15 pm

Over at Mother Jones, the always readable Kevin Drum takes issue with my criticism of President Obama’s new corporate tax plan, which lowers rates but raises corporate taxes by $250 billion: In this entire thousand-word blast Pethokoukis apparently doesn’t have room … read more >

Society and Culture

An outstanding American

Nick Schulz | February 22, 2012, 11:49 am

Congratulations to my friend Vivek Wadhwa, who was just named an Outstanding American by Choice: The Outstanding American by Choice initiative recognizes the outstanding achievements of naturalized U.S. citizens. Through civic participation, professional achievement, and responsible citizenship, recipients of this … read more >

Foreign and Defense Policy, Europe and Russia

Putin’s class warfare

Daniel Vajdic | February 22, 2012, 10:56 am

The exploitation of socioeconomic differences for political ends isn’t limited to the United States these days. Russia’s de facto ruler of 12 years, Vladimir Putin, seems to be shifting his electoral strategy a few weeks before the country’s presidential vote. … read more >

Economics, Monetary Policy

Ben Bernanke, backed in a corner

Joe McClintock | February 22, 2012, 10:13 am

Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, has been having a rough time lately. He’s received criticism from politicians, pundits, and other central bankers, and has been attacked for doing both too much and too little. The actions of … read more >