Does Big Spending Run in the Family?

According to public interest watchdog Judicial Watch, President Obama is not the only big spender in the Whitehouse.  In this article from Newsmax.com published today, first lady Michelle Obama is purported to have spent over $1 million of taxpayer money for 16 vacations in the last three years.  Excessive?  Read the details here, and you be the judge:

http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/obama-vacation-taxpayer-cost/2012/07/19/id/445913?s=al&promo_code=F831-1

Students "Enriched" by Fed Tour

A group of SLCC students were seen leaving their tour of the Federal Reserve Bank today enriched by new information about the Fed as well as by actual money given to them at the end of the tour.  It is estimated that each student left with anywhere from $4.00 up to $400.00.  Shoulda been there!

Tax or Penalty?

Political cartoonist Michael Ramirez's take on the recent Supreme Court decision.

Contrasting Election Year Budgets

Two contrasting budget proposals: Congressman Paul Ryan's "Path to Prosperity" and President Obama's 2013 proposal.

Here are links to each proposal:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/budget/fy2013/assets/budget.pdf

http://budget.house.gov/uploadedfiles/pathtoprosperity2013.pdf

Hidden Inflation

After a class discussion on hidden inflation (shrinking package sizes, smaller portions, etc.) student Carlie Boyce found an actual half gallon of ice cream (note the emphasis on the package).

Efficiency or Chaos? Live In-class Auction Has Both!

Here are a few video clips from a recent in-class auction, a great teaching and learning tool, demonstrating the efficiency (and sometimes chaos) of free markets.

G20 Summit Promotes Job Growth

Members of the G20 meeting in Los Cabos, Mexico this week draft a resolution to focus on jobs and economic growth.  So far there are few details on the resolution.  Is this just good PR, or a firm commitment to jobs and growth?  Read about it here.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/economic-powers-united-in-resolve-to-promote-growth-and-jobs-g20/article4346906/?cmpid=rss1