Search results for

Wall Street Journal economics writer David Wessel's new book, Red Ink, lays out in unsparing terms the way the U.S. government spends money, who pays what in taxes, and why politicians can't seem to agree on ways to reduce the potentially catastrophic deficit.

A scarlet letter is no longer required, but there are sanctions. For some public figures, it can end a career. For others, it's just a bump in the road that quickly passes.

In a much needed sign of hope for the U.S. economy, the Labor Department reported Friday that the country gained 163,000 jobs in July, which was better than expected. Still, unemployment rose a bit to 8.3 percent. NPR's Chris Arnold reports from an annual economics retreat in Maine with reaction from some of the country's top economists and analysts there.

It's too early to know what kind of a difference Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan will make to the GOP ticket. Still, there have been choices who have proved crucial. Here, the top five from the last half-century or so.

By some measures, General Motors is doing fine post-bailout and post-bankruptcy. The company is profitable and makes better cars than it did a generation ago. But its stock price is down sharply, and it still doesn't have a blockbuster car like its competitors Toyota, Honda and Ford.

President Obama and Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan spoke Friday at the annual AARP convention in New Orleans, Medicare and Social Security topped the agenda for both. NPR's Ina Jaffe reports the organization represents millions of older Americans, who are among the most reliable voters.

The aircraft carrier was the largest ship in the world, and the first nuclear-powered aircraft when it was commissioned. It's played a featured role in world conflicts — and Hollywood movies — for more than a half-century. Now it's being retired.

Mitt Romney may have lost the election, but the tax policy he floated is sticking with congressional Republicans. Rather than raising rates, the GOP would prefer to shrink or eliminate deductions. So what would that do to the deficit — and to the middle class?

Angelina Jolie was just appointed a professor for the coming semester at the London School of Economics. The development world is having a pro-con debate.

The singer-songwriter plays most of the instruments himself on his new album. Critic Ken Tucker says you can hear a love for pop music in Hughes' silly sentiments and artful arrangements.