From This Collection

Low-income lending makes poverty worse

May 17, 2007
The credit industry has been allowed to aggressively pursue low-income borrowers and that's made a bad situation worse for many poor Americans. Chris Farrell says federal regulators are overdue to step in and stop the cycle of abuse.

Wall Street wakes up to the wage gap

May 3, 2007
A major investment bank has released a study on the widening gap between rich and poor in the U.S. It suggests the growing recession that's mired lower-income groups now threatens the middle class, says Chris Farrell.

No stagflation this time around

Apr 19, 2007
Some economists are concerned that conditions are ripe for stagflation and they're drawing parallels to the stagflation economy of the '70s. But Chris Farrell says put your disco shoes away, it's not gonna happen.

Prediction: Home prices fall 20%

Apr 5, 2007
Chris Farrell foresees a spring housing season with home prices headed back to 2003 levels, a market correction that's bound to lure the Federal Reserve into lowering interest rates.

Wal-Mart gave up too easily

Mar 22, 2007
Chris Farrell says if we want to clean up subprime lending, we need more than regulatory reform. He argues that we need to open up the banking industry to competition and, flaws and all, Wal-Mart is the company to do it.

Greenspan gives 1-in-3 odds on recession

Mar 8, 2007
Ben Bernanke's had a pretty upbeat take on the economy — so is former Fed chairman Alan Greenspan stepping on his successor's toes with his gloomier-than-thou outlook? Chris Farrell says heck no.

Housing hasn't hit bottom yet

Feb 22, 2007
Economics correspondent Chris Farrell says low long-term interest rates are propping up the housing market — for now. But when rates ratchet up, the market still has plenty of room to fall.

For public good, not for profit.

Science ain't cheap

Feb 8, 2007
The White House has been talking a lot about global warming and energy security lately, but Chris Farrell says the President's budget lacks the commitment to do something about them.

Forget ethanol, raise the gas tax

Jan 25, 2007
Economics correspondent Chris Farrell says there's a better alternative to the Bush energy plan: Just raise the gas tax and let the market respond.

States explore universal health care

Jan 11, 2007
Governors of some states are tired of waiting for the federal government to come up with a health care solution, so they're putting forth their own proposals. Chris Farrell says they're perfectly reasonable.