Tag Archives: American economy

Wyoming Falling Behind National Economic Recovery

Recent employment numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that Wyoming is not out of the recession yet – far from it.  Total non-farm employment is going nowhere:  ·         In the fourth quarter of 2011 a total of 289,600 … Continue reading

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A Sober Look at the Internet Sales Tax

There has been a lot of public debate about the internet sales tax. Proponents argue that it will level the playing field between online retailers and brick-and-mortar stores; critics say the tax will increase the burden on consumers and depress … Continue reading

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Responding to Severance Tax Loss: No Tax Hikes, Please

Last week I explained that the U.S. Department of Interior is withholding 5.1 percent of the severance taxes that they owe Wyoming for 2013. Another two dozen states will also lose money, though with $53 million Wyoming is by far … Continue reading

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More Evidence It’s Time for Structural Spending Reform

Last week the International Monetary Fund admitted that it had made some very serious forecasting errors on the effects of austerity polcies in Europe. This admission is in itself intellectually honest – see their excellent paper on the issue – … Continue reading

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Austerity – A Theoretical Analysis

As we draw closer to the end of the year and the “fiscal cliff,” the public debate over the federal budget deficit is intensifying.  It does not take an economist to realize that our country cannot go on for much … Continue reading

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Latest Employment Report Contradicts Other Data

Economics without statistics is pure sophistry. Any economist who claims to be able to work without ever relying on statistical evidence and established quantitative methods is trying to sell you a bridge in Brooklyn. Because of how critical the role … Continue reading

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Romney and the 47 Percent

We have all heard about the now-infamous video where Governor Romney talks about the 47 percent of Americans who supposedly support Obama as dependent on government. The video made quite a splash in the duck pond that is the GOP establishment. Panic … Continue reading

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Is Decline Inevitable?

If we look at the economic system in countries around the world where millions of people have risen out of poverty, the ingredient we see over and over again is a high level of economic freedom. This is why the most recent Economic Freedom of the World report should be of great concern to people in the United States. Continue reading

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What Recovery? Depressed Consumers Cut Spending

Back in April, when the comprehensive GDP data for the first quarter of this year came out, I noted that… year-to-year inflation-adjusted growth is down. In the first quarter of 2011 the U.S. economy grew by 2.2 percent over the … Continue reading

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The Unintended Consequences of the One-Penny Sales Tax

Among the issues before Laramie County voters on the August 21 was a one-penny sales tax initiative. County commissioners had compiled a list of eight spending propositions. Five of them were approved, with a total spending commitment of $82 million.  … Continue reading

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