New from the Business & Media Institute
A Flood of Incomplete Insurance Coverage
Many hurricane victims were uninsured or under-insured. As tragic as that
is, the media are adding to the confusion by talking to "experts" who push
for soaking the insurance companies and creating benefits that weren't
paid in advance. Meanwhile, they're often missing the fact that the
government-subsidized flood insurance program
the only source of flood insurance
is likely to have to borrow to cover Katrina's costs.
Econ 101:
The Price of Recovery
Dr. Gary Wolfram, professor of economics at Hillsdale College and adviser
to the Business & Media Institute, gives a lesson this month on how higher prices
for some goods actually help in the aftermath of a disaster.
Ask
the professor: Do you have a question about an economic issue covered
in the news?
Lou Dobbs Lobbies for Unions to Bring Home the Bacon
CNNs Lou Dobbs Tonight is at it again, accusing big business of
exploiting workers. This time its the suspension of the Davis-Bacon
prevailing wage law in the hurricane rebuilding zone. Unsurprisingly,
Dobbs turned to a union spokesman to explain how workers will be affected
and ignored the racist history of the law.
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 Director
Dan Gainor.
This week: How businesses handle a disaster; how a network can use
a disaster to make a political point; and, attacking a drug company for
being responsible.
Also from BMI:
Media Use Katrina to Lobby for Higher Taxes
CBS Attacks Amgen for Not Distributing Drug
Research, News & Commentary
Hurricane Katrina
Commentary: Katrina aid should be tied to people, not just places.
Commentary: James Glassman details the different fronts of New Orleans rebirth.
Research: The National Flood Insurance Program has been "subsidizing disaster" for years.
Global Warming
Research: Adapting to climate change rather than attempting to control it is the subject of a new study from the National Center for Policy Analysis.
Free Market
Research: The Cato Institute has released its latest Economic Freedom of the World report, rating countries according to the freedom of their markets.
Litigation
Commentary: Teflon-coated pans arent a health hazard, but trial lawyers have ignored that fact in attacks on DuPont.
Poverty
Commentary: We measure poverty in America with a broken yardstick.
