US Economy

One year since the collapse of Lehman Brothers

By Nick Beams, September 15, 2009

The collapse one year ago today of the 158-year-old Lehman Brothers, the fourth largest US investment bank, set in motion an avalanche that threatened to engulf the entire global financial system.

One year after the financial crash

Obama goes cap in hand to Wall Street

By Barry Grey, September 15, 2009

On the anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, President Barack Obama came to Wall Street Monday to plead with the bankers not to block his proposals for marginal changes in financial regulati...

US: Pennsylvania still without a budget

By Samuel Davidson, September 15, 2009

Pennsylvania remains the only state without a budget more than two months after the previous budget ended on June 30.

Economic crisis devastates museums across the US

By Sandy English, September 12, 2009

The economic crisis has had a devastating impact on art, historical and science museums in the United States. Beginning in late 2008, public and private museums began laying-off staff, cutting wages, ...

More cuts to social services in Michigan

By Tom Eley, September 12, 2009

Major cuts in bus routes in Detroit and education cuts in the suburb of Hazel Park are the latest measures on the table.

Study reports worst of US mortgage crisis still to come

By Charles Knause, September 10, 2009

A recent Deutsche Bank report made public last month indicates that the mortgage crisis for US homeowners is still in an early phase, and the worst is still to come.

CEOs at bailed out banks got $13.8 million apiece last year

By Andre Damon, September 7, 2009

Executives at financial firms bailed out by the government received on average $13.8 million in compensation last year, according to a study of bank earning statements released last week.

US unemployment rate at 9.7 percent

By Tom Eley, September 5, 2009

The US unemployment rate rose to 9.7 percent in August, exceeding economists’ predictions.


Big banks grow more powerful under Obama

By Andre Damon, September 5, 2009

As a result of the government’s bailout, the largest US banks are gaining control of an ever greater share of financial markets and using their monopolistic position to gouge consumers and small bus...

US government list of “problem banks” tops 400

By Andre Damon, August 29, 2009

Figures released Thursday show that the banking crisis continues to deepen in the US, even as a handful of mega-banks increase their market share and profits.

US debt to hit $20 trillion by 2020

By Tom Eley, August 28, 2009

The Obama administration has seized on new forecasts for a near doubling of the national debt over the next decade to press for sweeping cuts in health care and retiree benefits.

Obama reappoints Bernanke as Federal Reserve Chairman

By Andre Damon, August 27, 2009

President Obama announced Tuesday the reappointment of Ben Bernanke as Federal Reserve Chairman.