A “Minsky moment”

FazzariWUSTL economist Steven Fazzari, Ph.D., argues that we have now reached the “Minsky moment,” the time when an unsustainable financial boom turns to bust. “The serious consequences for employment and economic growth in this crisis can be mitigated, but not eliminated, by the defensive financial bailouts that the federal government has initiated,” Fazzari says.

Better regulatory infrastructure and clear federal budgeting rules are necessary when dealing with bailouts, says federal budget and tax law expert

Block”Emergency government bailouts of private industry are nothing new, but what makes the recent spate of so-called bailouts so extraordinary is simply the numbers involved and the extent of government involvement in ownership and management,” says Cheryl Block, leading federal budget expert and professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis. “We absolutely need a better regulatory infrastructure to monitor and provide better early-warning signals, and to provide procedural mechanisms for responding to emergencies. It is troubling that weighty decisions are being made on an ad hoc basis behind closed doors. These decisions potentially involve not only substantial amounts of taxpayer money, but they also involve employment decisions regarding management of major business enterprises.”

Racial disparities decline for cancer in Missouri

Cancer death rates in the United States are highest among African Americans, but a new report shows that in Missouri the disparity in cancer incidence and death between African Americans and whites is declining. As a result, cancer incidence (the rate of newly diagnosed cases) between the races is equal, although the death rate will probably remain higher for African Americans for some time.

Political programs offered on campus

An array of panels, discussions, artistic expressions, lectures and other special events are taking place on the Danforth Campus throughout the presidential campaign season. To access the entire Election Programming calendar, visit any of the following Web sites: assemblyseries.wustl.edu, gephardtinstitute.wustl.edu, gpc.wustl.edu, and debate.wustl.edu.

Former Gore counsel Burson and Ambassador Schweich to headline VP Debate watch party at the law school

Charles W. Burson, former counsel to the Vice President and assistant to the President and Chief of Staff at The White House, and Ambassador Thomas Schweich, special representative for Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, are the lead commentators for the Washington University School of Law’s Vice Presidential Debate Watch Party at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2 in the Student Commons of Anheuser-Busch Hall.

WUSTL economist Fazzari to discuss consumer impact on current crisis

FazzariFazzari, Ph.D., professor of economics and associate director of the Weidenbaum Center on the Economy, Government, and Public Policy in Arts & Sciences, will discuss the conditions that have contributed to the economic turmoil, and share his research regarding what’s in store for the future in his Assembly Series presentation, “The U.S. Economy in the Consumer Age.” His conclusion will cover a discussion of how, if at all, the major policy steps proposed by the presidential candidates address the deepening recession. The event, free and open to the public, will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, September 24, in the Women’s Building, Formal Lounge.

U.S. health care system headed for perfect storm

McBride”We are headed into a time when a confluence of changes are going to lead to a perfect storm, making us finally realize that our health care system needs a major overhaul,” says Timothy D. McBride, Ph.D., leading health economist and professor of social work. McBride is available to discuss candidates’ health care plans and universal health care.

Despite all the attention paid to Social Security, it’s a minor problem compared to Medicare, says leading health economist

McBride”The problems with Social Security can be solved easily compared to those of Medicare,” says Timothy McBride, leading health economist and associate dean for public health. “Social Security can be fixed right now, although most people don’t want to solve it with tax hikes. We cannot solve Medicare as easily. Medicare is in a serious crisis relative to Social Security,” he says. McBride is available to discuss Social Security and Medicare.

Medicare-for-All is the most practical option, says leading health insurance expert

BernsteinAccess to affordable health care has been a recurring topic in current political discussions. Merton C. Bernstein, leading health insurance expert and law professor emeritus says that Medicare is the most practical platform for both extending coverage to everyone and taming medical cost inflation. He is available to discuss the candidates’ health care proposals.
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