U.S. Economy

The empty shopping mall: a story of how government actions created a huge malinvestment in western Pennsylvania.

Ryan and Tho feel obligated to discuss the State of the Union address.

We have experienced an unprecedented increase in the standard of living throughout the world. But recent developments have been blocking progress for the past several years.

As life expectancy has risen, so have runaway costs. Raising the age won't make Social Security just, prudent, or wise. But cutting federal spending is always the right thing to do. 

A recession looks more likely every day, and the latest sign of this is slowing price growth in producer prices. After all, price inflation usually slows as the economy weakens and consumers run out of easy money.

Mark Thornton discusses the history of record low unemployment rates and the business cycle.

The imposition of minimum wages harms the economy, although there are nuances in how much harm they cause. It is better not to impose minimum wages at all.

Will the Fed be successful with its "Immaculate Disinflation"?

Forget minding your own business. Ours is the age of invasive politics, demanding we take sides no matter how much we would like to be left alone.

Ryan McMaken and Tho Bishop discuss Jay Powell's exercise in Fed-speak this week.