New from the Business & Media Institute
If Inflation Falls in the Forest
When no one reports good news, does that mean it didnt happen? Of course
not. And the biggest decline consumer prices have seen in 56 years is
pretty big news. Unfortunately, the media paid a lot more attention when
inflation rose back in September.
Commentary: Boo-Hoo Economics
The media found plenty to cry about in 2005.
But if they could stop spinning economic positives as negatives, maybe
they would realize they could put away their hankies for awhile.
The Medias Top 10 Economic Myths of 2005
Dont miss our list of the years greatest hits exposed and debunked.
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly tracks the best and worst media coverage of
business and economics. Readers are invited to submit suggestions or news
tips to staff writer
Ken Shepherd.
This week: USA Today shows a town eager for a nuclear plant;
ABC, NBC gun-shy on calling transit strike illegal; Lou Dobbss deficit of
economic knowledge widens.
Also from BMI:
ABC, NBC Gloss over Transit Strikes Illegality
U.S. Economy Again Defies Media Pessimism
Research, News & Commentary
Energy
Commentary: The Congress of Racial Equalitys Paul Driessen writes in the Washington Times that the time to tap ANWRs oil reserves is long overdue.
News: Reuters reports from oil analyst Trilby Lundberg: In 2006, the EPA could well cost gasoline consumers more than Hurricane Katrina did.
Labor Unions
News: The Washington Posts Stephen Barr reports on how Congress has scaled back a Bush administration program that uses cost-comparison studies to determine whether commercial activities performed by the government should be turned over to contractors. The bottom line: as of November 30 of this year, its become harder to save taxpayers money and improve quality of service by contracting work to private companies.
Commentary: The December 20 New York Sun derides the Transit Workers Union for its blatantly illegal act of economic sabotage staged during one of the most important business weeks in the city in a last-ditch attempt to preserve privilege.
Government Waste
Commentary: Economist Dennis Coates notes that public stadium finance deals like the one planned for the Washington Nationals have historically failed to deliver on the promise of jobs.
News: The Heritage Foundations Policy Blog looks at how bridge-building projects in Alaska originally thought to be garden-variety pork projects would personally benefit Alaskan politicians pushing for them.
