As oil prices plunge, wide-ranging effects for consumers and the global economy

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/as-oil-prices-plunge-wide-ranging-effects-for-consumers-and-the-global-economy/2014/12/01/904984b2-7971-11e4-9a27-6fdbc612bff8_story.html DUE 8 DECEMBER 2014...(ONE OF TWO). How much have oil prices declined in the past 7 months? Why have they declined?? What actions did OPEC take?? What are 3 economic advantages of an oil price decline? What are 3 economic disadvantages of an oil price decline? Predict the future economic impact of symbiotic industries as these price declines affect the macro-economy.

The Racist Housing Policies That Helped Fuel the Anger in Ferguson

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/08/14/3471237/ferguson-housing-segregation/ DUE 1 DECEMBER 2014. What is segregation? What does the term REDLINING mean and how did this affect black families in Missouri? According to this article, how is this racial segregation is affecting the economics of this community? What is YOUR solution to this problem?

The State of the U.S. Labor Market: Pre-October 2014 Jobs Release

https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/news/2014/10/02/98227/the-state-of-the-u-s-labor-market-pre-october-2014-jobs-release/ DUE 24 NOV 2014. What does it mean "not in the labor force"(use economic understanding)? Who is working, who is not, and why? What is the average weeks unemployed and what is happening to this number?? What does the declining real wages data show about the overall economy?

Everybody's Quitting Their Job Now

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/13/quit-rate-job-openings-jolts_n_6152170.html. DUE 17 NOV 2014. Why is "everybody" quitting their job? Is this a good sign or a bad sign for the US economy?

Oregon's Cheap Legal Weed Could Starve Washington's Market

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/01/oregon-legal-weed_n_6084208.html DUE 10 NOV 2014. Using the Laws of Supply and Demand, discuss the issues involved with Oregon passing legislation for recreational marijuana. How will government intervention affect the marijuana markets in Washington? How will government intervention affect the marijuana markets in Oregon? How does this lead to the creation (or sustainability) of black markets?

5 Things About Slavery You Probably Didn't Learn In Social Studies: A Short Guide To 'The Half Has Never Been Told'

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6000848530940859916#editor/target=post;postID=3300013069556952844 DUE 3 NOV 2014. What do you believe is the most interesting of the 5 points made in this article? How did slavery aid the economy of the north? According to Baptiste, why did slavery end in America? What did you learn regarding cause and effect from this article?

China's Economy Just Overtook The U.S. In One Key Measure

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/08/china-gdp-tops-us_n_5951374.html. DUE 20 OCT 2015. What is the one key measure that allowed China to be number one? What is purchasing power parity and why does it matter?

Why Voter's Don't Care More About Income Inequality

http://www.salon.com/2014/10/05/why_voters_dont_care_more_about_income_inequality_partner/ DUE 13 OCT 2014. What is meant by income inequality? What are the economic implications of a majority of Americans unable to pay for basic needs? How does income inequality affect national, state and local government income (taxes)???

Retirement Gamble: How Fees are Killing Your Savings

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/retirement-gamble-fees-killing-savings-155036217.html. DUE 6 OCT 2014. What are the biggest threats to retirement income? What does John Bogle say about how much the average investor loses on retirement plans? What is a fiduciary? Are most financial planners fiduciaries?

Texas Limiting New AP History Course's Influence

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/18/texas-ap-history_n_5842874.html. DUE 29 SEP 2014. What does this topic have to do with economics? What if Texas students are not allowed to take the AP US History exam? What if the other 49 states are forced to adopt the standards set forth in Texas? What is the solution???

Seniors Forced Into Poverty As Education Department Demands Payment

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/11/seniors-education-department-student-debt_n_5807820.html. DUE 22 September 2014. Why is the Department of Education deducting loan payments from social security payments? Is this a good thing or a bad thing?? How does this affect you and the price of your student loans???

Costco Tops List Of Best Companies For High School Grads

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/05/costco-career-opportunities-best_n_5766668.html. DUE 15 September 2015. Why are these companies being chosen as "best" companies for whom to work? Which company would you choose to work for assuming you did not have a HS diploma? Why?

The 10 Fastest Growing Jobs in America

http://247wallst.com/special-report/2013/08/27/the-10-fastest-growing-jobs-in-america/ Due 8 September 2014. Take a look at the 10 jobs and discuss WHY these jobs are in such demand. After looking at the list, do you prefer to change your current goal to seek employment in an occupation in higher demand? When choosing an occupation, what is your primary reason for the choice: money? satisfaction or happiness? convenience? something else?

Colorado's marijuana law has brought tourists and tax revenues

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/rekha-basu/2014/08/17/colorados-marijuana-law-brought-tourists-tax-revenues/14178219/ DUE 1 September 2014. What are the advantages of creating a legal marijuana market in Colorado? What are the disadvantages of creating a legal marijuana market in Colorado?? What regulations have been created for the marijuana industry??? What is the major concern about the legalization of marijuana as noted by the New York Times??

Even Millionaires Think The Rich Should Pay Higher Taxes

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/06/millionaires-taxes-survey_n_5272647.html. DUE 12 MAY 2014. Where do the rich hold most of their wealth? (see graph) Why do the rich think they should pay more taxes? What should be done to lessen the inequality of wealth in the United States?

High Plains Moochers

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/28/opinion/krugman-high-plains-moochers.html?_r=0. DUE 5 MAY 2014. Do you believe that Cliven Bundy is a "Libertarian Hero" or a "Welfare Queen of the Purple Sage" (as Krugman describes him)? What do you think about Bundy's claim that his people were there BEFORE the law came into effect so he doesn't have to pay? What externality is being caused by Bundy through his actions?

Justice Stevens Suggests Solution for ‘Giant Step in the Wrong Direction’

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/22/us/politics/justice-stevenss-prescription-for-giant-step-in-wrong-direction.html?_r=0. DUE 28 APRIL 2014. PLEASE DO BOTH THIS ARTICLE AND THE NEXT ONE FOR SAME DATE. Justice Stevens, retired from Supreme Court in 2010, has 6 suggested constitutional amendments. Discuss the changes Justice Stevens would like to see made by Congress and the States in regards to campaign contributions by the wealthy. Do you agree with him or not? How would you like to see the Constitution changed in regards to political campaigns?

More Proof That American Health Care Prices Are Sky-High

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/17/health-care-costs_n_5160819.html. DUE 28 APRIL 2014. According to the article, which American sub-group has great health care? Analyze the graphs for the drug Nexium and Gleevec. What is happening with the cost compared to other countries? Why do you think this is happening?

Student Loan Borrowers' Costs To Jump As Education Department Reaps Huge Profit

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/14/student-loan-profits_n_5149653.html?utm_hp_ref=politics. DUE 21 APR 2014. What does Chris Hicks claim is the motivation of the Department of Education? Name 3 economic repercussions of increasing student debt after the student graduates?

US Corporations Have Over $2 Trillion Stashed Overseas

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/08/profits-overseas-untaxed_n_5114300.html. DUE 14 Apr 2014. Why do corporations say they have money stashed overseas?? Are there other reasons the article lists for this offshore cash? Why is this bad for the US economy? What solutions would you offer to get US corporations to keep more money at home??

Jobs and Skills and Zombies

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/31/opinion/krugman-jobs-and-skills-and-zombies.html?_r=0 DUE 7 April 2014. Some employers complain that they can't find skilled workers; what does Krugman say should be the economic remedy for this? Who do employers blame for the plight of businesses in our economy? Krugman states that the "skills myth" is shifting attention away from other economic problems in the U.S. Name 3 of these problems being avoided by employers and why.

Tax-Hating States Totally Fine with Taxing the Poor

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/18/sales-taxes-highest-in-st_n_4988216.html. DUE 31 March 2014. Where are the "tax-hating" states located? Why is sales tax actually a tax on the poor? Why do you think Florida has such a high sales tax rate? What are some alternate taxes that would be less of a burden on the poor?

These 9 Maps Should Absolutely Outrage Southerners

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/06/maps-of-the-south-bad-place_n_4855191.html DUE 17 MAR 2014. Which of the maps concern you the most? Why? In your opinion, what is the reason for the disparity between the south and the rest of the country? Should the Federal Government intervene?

Vladimir Putin Said He Hopes Russia Won't Have to Use Force in Ukraine

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/04/ukraine-conflict-vladimir-putin_n_4895257.html. DUE 10 March 2014. Why is Putin in Ukraine? What is the U.S. response? Why? What action should the U.S. take? Why is this action in our best interest??

Just How Dangerous is a Giant Comcast?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/19/comcast-time-warner-deal_n_4816651.html DUE 3 March 2014. What is the rationale for the government breaking up monopolies? Will Comcast become a monopoly if the merger is allowed to go through? What is predicted to happen to prices if the merger goes through? What will happen to service if the merger goes through? In your view, should the government allow this merger?

Tom Perkins: People With More Money Should Get More Votes

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/14/tom-perkins-votes_n_4788086.html. DUE 24 Feb 2014. Read BOTH articles....Krugman and Perkins. Discuss the questions listed under the Krugman article.

Paul Krugman: Inequality, Dignity and Freedom

http://www.opednews.com/Quicklink/Paul-Krugman-Inequality--in-Best_Web_OpEds-Equal_Inequality_Paul-Krugman_Workers-140214-773.html. DUE 24 Feb 2014. Read BOTH articles....(Paul Krugman and Tom Perkins) What is a Plutocrat? Discuss the argument presented by Krugman and Perkins by illustrating the plight of the Plutocrat. Does Perkins have a point? Do you believe that people with more money should get more votes?? How does Krugman contradict the point made by Perkins?

U.S. Economy Shows Signs of Gearing Up

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304428004579352472437635350?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304428004579352472437635350.html. Due 10 Feb 2013. What are the signs the economy is improving? How are these signs a little misleading?? How optimistic are you about a recovery in the near future??

Study Debunks Classic Argument About Low-Wage Workers

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/24/low-wage-workers-education_n_4653020.html Due 3 February 2014. What does the graph show us about education and low-wage jobs? Evaluate the graph using cost-benefit analysis---does it pay to get an education? What are the back end costs of NOT getting an education??

World's 85 Richest Have Same Wealth as Bottom 50 Percent

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/1/20/world-s-85-richesthavesamewealthasbottom50percentreport.html. Due 27 Jan 2014. What are the backend costs of having so much wealth in the hands of so few?? Mention at least 3 backend costs.

Home> Politics Feds Investigating Christie's Use of Sandy Relief Funds

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/feds-investigating-christies-sandy-relief-funds/story?id=21511567. Due 20 Dec 2014. Do you believe Gov. Chris Christie knew about the lane closures his staff initiated that caused the traffic jams at the George Washington bridge? Do you believe that Gov. Christie should be impeached? Do you believe Gov. Christie spent Hurricane Sandy relief inappropriately? Predict how big an impact these stories will have on the Christie's campaign for President in 2016.

Extended unemployment benefits slow growth, hoax on working poor

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/01/06/extended-unemployment-benefits-slow-growth-hoax-on-working-poor/ Due 13 Jan 2014. What is the rationale of conservative economists for NOT extending unemployment benefits to 1.3 million Americans?? What are the backend costs of such a policy??