Jan 2nd, 2009 · Economists often disagree about ways to solve economic problems. Two economists duke it out in a boxing match of words. In one corner, a supporter of the incoming Obama administration's stimulus plan who says government spending is essential to create jobs. In the other corner, an economist who believes taxpayers — not the federal government — should decide where to spend a trillion dollars of the nation's economy.
Dec 31st, 2008 · Over the past year, the government has sent $100 billion in stimulus checks to taxpayers and bailed out Wall Street, banks and automakers. However, the economy still hasn't turned around. David Wessel, economics editor of The Wall Street Journal, talks with Steve Inskeep about why the economy isn't getting stronger.
Dec 17th, 2008 · Cerberus is the private equity firm that owns most of automaker Chrysler. The company is private and makes no financial disclosures to anyone, including Congress. It has said it won't put any more of its own dollars in Chrysler, but it still wants taxpayer help.
Dec 11th, 2008 · Congressional Oversight Panel chair Elizabeth Warren is charged with making sure the bailout funds are in the best interest of the American people.
Dec 10th, 2008 · Congress is looking into the Treasury Department's management of the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program. Lawmakers want to know why banks that have received billions of dollars of taxpayer money are not doing more lending.
Dec 4th, 2008 · GM CEO Rick Wagoner is back on Capitol Hill this week with the chief executives of Ford and Chrysler to convince Congress that the automakers need federal help and are prepared to make sacrifices in return for taxpayer money.
Dec 4th, 2008 · The CEOs of Ford, GM and Chrysler return to Capitol Hill on Thursday to plead a second time for billions of dollars in taxpayer loans to rescue their troubled industry. They are asking for up to $34 billion in loans.
Oct 14th, 2008 · Britain's top share index has added to strong gains, as a plan from the U.S. Treasury to inject $250 billion into banks further eased anxiety on financial markets. The stock rebound began Monday on a British plan to pump $64 billion of taxpayer cash into three major banks.