AMERICAN ISSUES PROJECT

  • Spinning Bad Statistics

    Combing through statistics can be time consuming and, at times, confusing. Recently though, I jumped into a chart at the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Statistics website and had a hard time coming up for air. The chart shows the most recent month's unemployment rates organized by state, along...
    by Lorie Byrd on Oct 28 2009, 09:22 PM
  • First do no harm

    When it comes to the economy, those in government would be wise to follow a tenet of physicians -- first do no harm. During the 1996 presidential campaign I asked a friend why he planned to vote for Bill Clinton. He said he liked what Clinton had done for the economy. I reminded him that when Clinton...
    by Lorie Byrd on Oct 21 2009, 11:01 PM
  • Presidential Priority Problems

    If there is anyone still scratching their head trying to understand why so many Americans are fed up with their government and are even marching on Washington, they should consider for a minute where the average American sees their government putting its time and resources. There are serious concerns...
    by Lorie Byrd on Oct 15 2009, 12:01 AM
  • Unemployment Rate May Determine 2010 Outcome

    Although some say the U.S. economy has " turned a corner " and Joe Biden says of the stimulus , "In my wildest dreams, I never thought it would work this well," the unemployment rate has reached a 26-year high and many Americans are suffering. We have not lost the 500 million jobs...
    by Lorie Byrd on Oct 08 2009, 12:01 AM
  • Trusting Fictitious Stimulus Numbers

    Conservative politicians trying to control spending over the past few decades have become all too familiar with a tactic used by their opponents to confuse the public. Any time a politician votes to fund a program at any amount less than what their opponents have, it has been declared a cut. Conservatives...
    by Lorie Byrd on Oct 01 2009, 12:01 AM
  • Deciphering the economic news

    The way the news media report issues relating to the economy greatly impacts the way people view the economic well being of the country. That, in turn, influences their behavior. If they see the economic situation as strong and sound, they are more likely to spend money on luxury items, take on additional...
    by Lorie Byrd on Sep 24 2009, 12:01 AM
  • Why every citizen should care about the ACORN scanda

    Recent reports of criminal activity in the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) are serious and should be of interest to every American citizen, their congressional representatives and the media. The series of undercover videos made in several ACORN offices across the country...
    by Lorie Byrd on Sep 18 2009, 12:01 AM
  • Pushing The Limits On Health Care Reform

    Part of the Department of Education’s suggested lesson plan to go along with President Obama’s speech to school children this week was for teachers to ask students, “Why is it important that we listen to the President and other elected officials… Why is what they say important...
    by Lorie Byrd on Sep 10 2009, 06:05 PM
  • How All Eyes Will Be On Those "Blue Dog" Democrats When The President and Congress Return After The Recess

    Recent opinion polls show President Obama’s approval numbers are lower than they have been since his inauguration. Jake Tapper reports, “President Obama’s job approval ratings have fallen more steeply than any other newly elected president and the White House is well aware that drop...
    by Lorie Byrd on Sep 04 2009, 06:05 AM
  • Bazillions Of Dollars

    The United States government is currently a bazillion dollars in debt and is continuing to engage in bazillons more in deficit spending each year. The amounts of the debt and deficit are actually counted in trillions, but it might as well be bazillions. The amount is so large that it is impossible for...
    by Lorie Byrd on Aug 27 2009, 12:05 AM
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