The Fed lowered the interest rate Tuesday, from 1 percent to between zero and 0.25 percent. ...more

December 18, 2008

In a move that provides relief to thousands of renters who face eviction but draws the federal government even deeper into the housing market, loan giant Fannie Mae said Sunday that it would sign new leases with renters living in foreclosed properties owned by the company. ...more

December 15, 2008

Bailouts Misdirected If the U.S. government had truly considered a meaningful stimulus package with benefits for the American consumer, they could have taken the $750 billion dollars and divided it among every taxpaying citizen of the United States, requiring it to be used to reduce debt or purchase American-made products. ...more

December 12, 2008

Our future holds nothing but further degradation of our economy and monetary system. For two years I have conveyed urgency pertaining to the state of the economy. Small business owners and the working class are being smashed by the government's inept fiscal policies. Our money is being distributed to financial institutions and rather than it improving our economy, it is being used for buying up smaller banks. ...more

December 6, 2008

Federal Reserve officials are throwing everything they have into the fight to stabilize financial markets and restore economic growth. In the process, the Fed balance sheet is ballooning to $3 trillion, if not more. ...more

December 6, 2008

Alex Billos of New Port Richey offers his observations on the current financial turmoil. ...more

December 3, 2008

Gov. Charlie Crist announced today that Florida banks and mortgage lenders have agreed to delay certain foreclosure proceedings – an agreement industry leaders described as a "reaffirmation" of their practices rather than a major change. The announcement fell short of expectations that built up around Crist's initial comments last week about declaring a moratorium on foreclosures, possibly by executive order. Today, Crist made clear that the 45-day foreclosure freeze would be voluntary on the part of bankers and other participating lenders, giving homesteaded property owners the opportunity to renegotiate their payment plans. ...more

December 1, 2008

Those desperate for a change can heave huge sighs of relief with President-elect Obama's victory, but must be realistic about significant change. Current bailouts have shown only relief for Wall Street bankers. ...more

November 26, 2008

Given the economic problems dominating the headlines these days, it would not be surprising if people are feeling glum. At such moments of seeming gloom we should recall that the first Thanksgiving was held during the Civil War. ...more

November 26, 2008

Given the economic problems dominating the headlines these days, it would not be surprising if people are feeling glum. Housing sales continue to fall, thwarting hopes for a turnaround for a key component of the local, state and national economies. The "Big Three" U.S. automakers are jetting, hats in hand, to Congress and asking for money to help them stave off bankruptcy. Banks and other financial institutions need help from the Treasury clearing bad loans and other dubious investments from their books. With all this and more going on, retailers are worrying that the black in the traditional post-Thanksgiving Black Friday start to the holiday shopping season will refer to more than just the mood of shoppers battling large crowds and overflowing parking lots. ...more

November 26, 2008