Reason Foundation

Recent Research and Commentary

Mises Predicted the Crisis

November 7, 2009, 10:21pm

Anthony Randazzo

In this weekend's WSJ, Mark Spitznagel, founder and chief investment officer of the hedge fund Universa Investments LP, writes how in the 1920s German economist Ludwig von Mises predicted how our crisis would evolve.

Another $24 Billion Stimulus: President to Sign Extension of Homebuyer Credit

November 6, 2009, 12:15pm

Anthony Randazzo

Yesterday, the House passed a bill that extends the homebuyer credit an extra six months by a vote of 403-12. The Senate passed the same bill on Wednesday 98-0.Overall, the tax credit is expected to cost $24 billion:

Faux-Recovery: Unemployment Hits 10.2 Percent

November 6, 2009, 11:36am

Anthony Randazzo

The government needs to tout a recovery for political purposes. Wall Street would like us to think there is a robust recovery so we'll buy stocks. But unemployment numbers like these don't speak of real recovery, only the continuation of economic problems.

FOMC Remains Optimistic on Inflation

November 5, 2009, 1:38pm

Anthony Randazzo

The Federal Open Market Committee released it's November statement yesterday. There was little change from the September statement, and interest rates remain at 0 to .25 percent. However, the FOMC did indicate what it was watching in terms of inflation indicators.

Senate to Move on CFPA, Regulation Reform

November 4, 2009, 6:04pm

Anthony Randazzo

Dodd says he wants to have the bill out of committee by December. If that happens, financial services reform may be complete by year's end. It has seemed unlikely until the past few weeks with the White House now breathing heavily down Dodd and Frank's necks.

The Secret Message of Stimulus Spending

Even the feds don't believe they can create jobs

November 3, 2009

Veronique de Rugy

Stimulus funds are being allocated without thought to the level of unemployment within states. If government spending could in fact create jobs, then the problem of unemployment could be mitigated by distributing funds to states based on their relative unemployment levels.  

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