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Washington Post
Opinion columnist for the Washington Post; former economics reporter at the New York Times and founding editor of its Economix blog
PROFILE
Catherine Rampell
Guest
FROM Catherine Rampell
To the Point
The March to Super Tuesday Last Saturday, Democrats in Nevada caucused to choose a presidential nominee. In South Carolina, Republicans went to the polls. As always, there were multiple winners… and losers. Only a fraction of Republicans have voted or caucused so far, but traditional party leaders are facing their worst nightmare.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Obama’s Unfinished Financial Business Today, we tackle the final installment in our presidential “unfinished business” series. President Obama made a lot of promises during the housing collapse and the subsequent financial crisis, but in what ways are markets and homeowners still struggling?
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Economy Improving, So Why Don’t We Feel It? On paper, economic numbers in the U.S. look good. Today’s unemployment rate is down to 5.8 percent and that’s just one example of positive economic reports. But exit polls from Tuesday’s election show the economy was voters’ number one concern.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Uber’s Labor Fight Uber drivers in Los Angeles and San Francisco staged protests this week over declining pay and working conditions. Meanwhile, drivers in New York and London went on strike. It’s just the latest turmoil for the on-demand ride service: This year has also brought fights with taxi unions and local governments, and a price war with competitor Lyft.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Wage Theft Wage theft is when employers find ways to keep wages they should be paying their employees. There are several class action lawsuits filed against big companies like McDonald’s over this.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Making the Grade Why aren’t there more women in science and technology jobs? Well, it’s not for a lack of overachievers. It may be the opposite: the drive to get A's in school may be to blame, according to columnist Catherine Rampell.
Which Way, L.A.?
The Mystery of Low Turkey Prices Here's a mystery about holiday economics. Just before Valentine's Day, the price of a dozen long-stemmed roses went up this year from $63 to $81. That's typical. But just before Thanksgiving Day the price of turkey always goes down. That's according to Catherine Rampell of the New York Times .
To the Point
The Mystery of Low Turkey Prices Here's a mystery about holiday economics. Just before Valentine's Day, the price of a dozen long-stemmed roses went up this year from $63 to $81. That's typical. But just before Thanksgiving Day the price of turkey always goes down. That's according to Catherine Rampell of the New York Times .
To the Point
Unemployment Hits Four-Year Low The economy gained more jobs than expected last month, and the unemployment rate is now 7.7 percent, the lowest since December of 2008. Construction was especially strong, although public sector employment continued to shrink. Catherine Rampell reports on economics for the New York Times .
To the Point
U.S. Adds a Surprising 146,000 New Jobs in November This segment aired at the 11 o'clock hour on our national syndication and all news channel. The US economy added 146,000 jobs in the last month—more than economists expected-- and unemployment has fallen to 7.7%--the lowest point in four years. That’s the lastest from the Labor Department.
Which Way, L.A.?
The Uncertain Economy and the Presidential Campaign Yesterday, President Obama and his Republican challenger were both in Ohio. Today, it was another swing state: Virginia, where they both managed to touch on the economy. Conflicting economic indicators make it hard to predict a presidential election that's focused on the economy.
To the Point
It's the Economy, Stupid This year's presidential campaign is supposedly about the economy, but economic indicators make political predictions more confusing than ever. Consumer confidence is on the rise, for example, but consumer spending is on the decline. Does that favor Obama , Romney — or is it a draw?
To the Point
Too Much Census Data Collection? The American Community Survey provides information that helps local governments and businesses in everything from assessing health needs to locating Target stores. But now the Republican-led Congress has determined that it's an expensive violation of privacy . Will the Senate go along?
To the Point
Economy Shows Improvement, but Is It Enough? The Commerce Department reported today that America's economic output grew by 2.8 percent in the last quarter of 2011, an improvement over 1.8 percent in the third quarter. Good news, but not good enough to constitute economic recovery.
Which Way, L.A.?
Where Are the New Jobs? On this Labor Day, with unemployment seemingly stuck at 9 percent, all eyes are on Washington, which the Gallop Poll finds more confident about the economy than the rest of America. Last month, the economy created no new jobs at all , and 14 million people are out of work. The unemployed don't stand in lines anymore.
To the Point
Where Are the New Jobs? On this Labor Day, with unemployment seemingly stuck at 9 percent, all eyes are on Washington, which the Gallop Poll finds more confident about the economy than the rest of America. Last month, the economy created no new jobs at all , and 14 million people are out of work. The unemployed don't stand in lines anymore.
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