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This is not the American Dream

Americans are more dependent on the federal government than ever before. According to USA Today, 18.3 percent of the nation’s total personal income was a payment from the government for Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, unemployment benefits and other programs in 2010. Much of this increase has come since 2008, mainly due to the expansion of healthcare and federal programs generally. Americans got an average of $7,427 in benefits last year, up from $4,763 in 2000. USA Today even breaks the data out by state, with New York leading the list.

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Posted by: Cameron Cushman

on April 28, 2011

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Category:  Capitol Hill  Digesting DC 

Education as a Driver of Growth

With unemployment rates near nine percent, politicians of both parties continue to discuss ways to spur economic growth and job creation. Lost in much of this debate is the role of education. Indeed, some economists have suggested that structural (as well as cyclical) issues are preventing the unemployment rate from falling.

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Posted by: Anonymous

on March 25, 2011

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Category:  Digesting DC 

Grow the Economy... Support Entrepreneurs

New firms create more jobs--if they survive--than older, established firms. That's a pretty important message with the national unemployment rate at 8.5% and on the rise for six consecutive months. That translates to 13.2 million people out of work (according to seasonally adjusted figures released... [More]

Posted by: Mark Marich

on April 08, 2009

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Category:  General 

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