The average American household has taken on more debt than it can safely manage, but our we really living beyond our means? Commentator Robert Reich says we need to also take note of declining incomes.
Small industrial cities get a lot of attention during presidential campaigns. Commentator Angela Glover Blackwell says they don't have to fade away after November. The new administration and the cities themselves can help ensure those cities' growth.
With markets doing, well, better, what's going on with the rest of the economy? Another way of asking that question: Are we in a recession? Kai Rysdall brings up the dreaded "R" word with economist Steve Fazzari
The idea of having the Treasury Department take stakes in selected banks is to provide them with cash to start making loans again, not to keep it to themselves. Janet Babin wonders if banks will agree to that.
Have the financial rescue plans done anything yet to encourage banks to start lending again? So far, the major credit benchmarks aren't moving much. Senior business correspondent Bob Moon reports.
The president and the Treasury Secretary outlined a new part of the bailout plan that would invest $250 billion directly into banks and buy up their stock. Is this good? We ask economist Gary Schilling and economics correspondent Chris Farrell.
How do you manage a restaurant chain when everyone's eating in? DineEquity CEO Julia Stewart told Kai Ryssdal that the secret to success in a troubled market for Applebees and IHOP is selling to franchisees.
Charities are taking a blow from the economic crisis, as are emerging-nation businesses that rely on loans and profits. Commentator Edward Miguel warns of the consequences of heightened poverty.
Environmental regulations, conservation, alternative energy development — all have come to be serious issues on the campaign trail. Mitchell Hartman investigates what "green voters" want from the next administration.
Having the government buy stakes in banks as part of the $700 billion-plus bailout program is a significant change financially and ideologically. Kai Ryssdal asks economist Robert Litan how this is going to work.
