The Audit

from our members

• Seven Key Facts About Social Security and the Federal Budget
  TRUTHOUT: Washington, DC - Heading into the midterm elections, Social Security has proven to be one of the hot button issues of this cycle. Despite the fact that the program has just begun its 75th year contributing to the retirement security of millions, the relationship between Social Security and the federal budget is unclear to many Americans. A new issue brief from the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) addresses seven issues about this relationship and in the process demonstrates that Social Security can continue to be a cornerstone of retirement without posing an undue burden to the budget well into the future.
• A NEW ECONOMIC PACKAGE?
  WASHINGTON MONTHLY: I've had a few posts lately, suggesting the White House would be wise to push a new economic package with an emphasis on job creation. With the recovery stalling, hoping that the status quo will improve just isn't enough. There's public demand for more government intervention, and it'd be good policy and good politics to act quickly.
• Warning: Why Cheaper Money Won't Mean More Jobs
  TRUTHOUT: Can the Fed rescue the economy by making money even cheaper than it already is? A debate is being played out in the Fed about whether it should return to so-called “quantitative easing” – buying more mortgage-backed securities, Treasury bills, and other bonds - in order to lower the cost of capital still further.
• 'OUT THERE TO TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMY'
  THE WASHINGTON MONTHLY: Last week, in the midst of several discouraging economic developments, White House officials recognized the need to sharpen its message a bit. They just weren't sure when. Yesterday, President Obama was in New Orleans for the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Tomorrow is an Oval Office address on Iraq. Later this week, the focus will be on Middle East peace talks. One official told ABC late last week, "We know he needs to be out there to talk about the economy next week. We haven't yet figured out the way he's going to do that."
• Big Questions Remain About Bailout Cash
  THE HUFFINGTON POST INVESTIGATIVE FUND: Despite hundreds of well-trained eyes watching over the $700 billion in federal funding meant to rescue the nation's financial sector, basic questions remain about how the money has been spent. In 10 months, the Congressional Oversight Panel has issued 10 reports on the Troubled Asset Relief Program, calling for greater transparency and clarity by the Treasury and Federal Reserve.
• Report: NM Unemployment Could Be High Until 2015
  PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE: Unemployment is here to stay for a while in New Mexico. That's the gloomy outlook in a new report out this week that shows the Land of Enchantment had the third-worst job-loss numbers in the country for June. Unemployment here is currently at 8.2 percent, and report author Gerry Bradley with the Fiscal Policy Project at New Mexico Voices for Children says that rate could remain high, above six percent, until 2015.
• Public News SerAARP MI: If It Ain’t Broke…vice
  PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE: The federal program that has improved the retirement years for millions in Michigan is safe as it celebrates a milestone. The 75th anniversary of Social Security was this month.