Commentary/Opinion
Opinion: Lawmakers Should Close Health Plan Hole
By John Hood RALEIGH — During the 2023 fiscal year, the federal government ran a $1.7 trillion deficit. That’s an increase of $320 billion, or 23%, over last year’s deficit.…
You Decide: Will 2024 Be A Year Of Two Economies?
By Mike Walden It’s the time of year for economists like me to give absolutely error-proof forecasts of what the economy will be like in 2024. Of course, I am…
You Decide: Are There Answers To Difficult Family Questions?
By Mike Walden I make approximately 50 presentations each year across the state. I always enjoy the last portion of my talks when I take audience questions. Recently I had…
You Decide: Is The Fed Done Raising Interest Rates?
By Mike Walden Federal Reserve policymakers have received much criticism over the last two years, ever since they began raising interest rates. Anyone taking out loans has seen what the…
You Decide: What Do Interest Rates Tell Us?
By Mike Walden We have a love-hate relationship with interest rates, especially in terms of their level. Investors in interest-paying investments like CDs (certificates of deposit), bonds and money market…
You Decide: Which Dominates, Bad Or Good Economic News?
By Mike Walden Many experts say humans tend to focus on bad news over good news. The logic is that bad news can threaten our well-being—perhaps our very existence—whereas good…
You Decide: Is The Outlook Bright For Manufacturing?
By Mike Walden Almost precisely a year ago I wrote a column about manufacturing. I reviewed the facts about manufacturing in North Carolina and throughout the country. While at both…
Opinion: Washington Won’t Fix Health Care
By John Hood RALEIGH — North Carolina’s Medicaid program will expand on December 1 to offer fully subsidized health plans to virtually every legal resident whose household income is at…
Opinion: Living In North Carolina Still A Bargain
By John Hood RALEIGH — Decades ago, when I moved back to North Carolina from the nation’s capital, my rent dropped by half — for a new apartment that was…
You Decide: How Can Homeowners Cope With High Interest Rates?
By Mike Walden One of the busiest times of my career as a faculty member at North Carolina State University was 40 years ago, in the early 1980s. Like now,…
Opinion Disguised As News Should Prompt The Question ‘Says Who?’
By Mitch Kokai A recent scan of North Carolina news headlines prompted a couple of major “says who?” moments for this observer. “Says who?” represents my typical reaction to statements of unattributed…
Opinion: College Rankings Reveal Awkward Truths
By John Hood RALEIGH — College and university rankings are a Massive Deal, as Regina George might say — and not just during football season. U.S. News & World Report…
