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The article presents an interview with U.S. President Barack Obama, focusing on his evolving relationship with business leaders. Obama discusses the magnitude of the issues facing the country, the degree to which decision making involves working with probabilities, and perceptions among some business leaders that his policies could by construed as antibusiness.

The article discusses U.S. President Barack Obama, focusing on his evolving relationship with business leaders. Business leaders are said to have found that they have generally enjoyed considerable access to the President and his top advisers. The administration has been particularly engaged with the health care and energy sectors. INSETS: BUSINESS AND THE OBAMA AGENDA;ROBERT GREIFELD/T.J. RODGERS/JAMES GOODNIGHT;RICHARD A. SMITH/ROBERT WOLF/DANIEL R. DIMICCO.

An editorial is presented on the United States' need for an economic strategy that will offer long-term prosperity. The author feels that the U.S. needs to remain globally competitive despite the ongoing financial crisis. He also believes that the American political system is in a state which prevents the development of long-term strategies.

The article discusses a difficult choice facing U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke. A weak housing market and flagging job growth argue for a reduction in interest rates. But declining productivity suggests rate cuts could be inflationary. In the 1970s reduced interest rates during a time of low productivity growth produced stagflation. Central bankers of strong foreign economies would be unlikely to follow suit if the U.S cut rates, introducing further complications.

The article argues that U.S. Federal Reserve Board chairman Ben S. Bernanke will preside over a diminished central bank. Bernanke will succeed chairman Alan Greenspan. Global interest rates follow the lead of the Federal Reserve. The U.S. is dependent on foreign investors to fund its trade deficit, so the Federal Reserve will not have as much clout in international financial flows. The article discusses monetary policy decisions that Bernanke will face. INSETS: DOWN FROM MOUNT OLYMPUS;THE BUZZ ABOUT BERNANKE.

Looks at the impact of interest rates on economic policy in the U.S. Impact of the Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan on interest rate policies; Report that some policy makers anticipate an interest rate increase; Economic impact of current slow-increase policies; Predictions for U.S. monetary policy in 2005.

Discusses U.S. President George W. Bush's 2004 budget plan. Efforts to cut taxes as an incentive toward long-term economic growth and deficit reduction; Information on the elimination of individual taxes on dividends; Impact of the Iraq war and a possible oil shock on Bush's economic plans. INSETS: BETTING THE WHITE HOUSE;SCRAMBLING AMERICA'S NEST EGGS.

Examines the social impact of an economic reform proposal made by United States President George W. Bush. End to taxation on dividends; Income tax cuts; Investment incentives for small businesses; Distribution of dividends, interest and other capital income; Scenarios in which these proposals work and do not work to stimulate the economy; How these proposals work; Benefits of these proposals for workers, who would be affected by the drop in unemployment; Positive characterization of these reforms.

Discusses key issues concerning the reorganization of the cabinet of U.S. President George W. Bush in 2002. Impact of the reorganization on economic policy; Analysis of pertinent topics and relevant issues; Implications for American politics and economic policy. INSET: HARD SELL.

Comments on the economic plans of United States President George Bush following his party's November 2002 election victory. Personal tax cuts; Reforms of pension rules, including contributions to 401(k) and individual retirement accounts; Business tax breaks; Unemployment aid for laid-off workers; Investment incentives; State bailouts. INSET: The Options.

The article presents several letters to the editor commenting on articles on business and politics published in previous issues of the "BusinessWeek" periodical in 1999. Key issues discussed in the article include social security, economic policy, the computer industry and the pros and cons of a government-run health care system.

The article deals with the influence of U.S. President Jimmy Carter's economic policies on his chances of getting re-elected in the 1980 U.S. presidential elections. Within the Democratic Party, Senator Edward M. Kennedy is already leading behind Carter, and Carter's support for recessionary policies is being exploited by Kennedy. In contrast to Carter's endorsement of the Federal Reserve's credit-crunching action, Kennedy has warned that its action will be monitored closely. Among the economic issues facing Carter are the tax-cut pressures.

The article highlights the role of Stuart E. Eizenstat as assistant of U.S. President Jimmy Carter for domestic policy. Eizenstat has been empowered by Carter to set the policy terms and philosophical framework for new domestic programs under a decision-making method, called policy review memorandum. He serves as mediator in disputes between Cabinet departments, and was head of the Carter operatives who wrote the Democratic Party's platform. An executive order gives Eizenstat authority to manage the preparation of domestic and economic policy issues. INSET: The struggle to produce an urban policy.

Discusses President Bill Clinton's economic policy plans for his second year in office. Shift from the business of deficit-cutting to investment in human capital; Creation of a massive, middle-class entitlement; Health-care plan; Overhaul of federal education and training programs; Consideration of measures to assure pension portability; Industrial policies; Aggressive approach to crime.

States that United States President-elect Bill Clinton intends to do just what he promised in the campaign. Committed himself to an investment-oriented economic-recovery plan; Program to halve the budget deficit over four years; Major new effort to spur research and development; The top of Clinton's Washington agenda; May tackle the deficit with more vigor than many expect.

States that the United States economy's long-term problems are turning out to be far more pervasive and far harder to overcome than economists, President George Bush's administration, and even the Federal Reserve Board ever imagined. Series of bad economic forecasts and feeble policy decisions; Powerful barriers to growth; Sluggish exports; New dynamics of consumer debt; Predictions for the economy.

Discusses how presidential candidate Bill Clinton had to do something to jump-start his sputtering campaign, so he has put together a comprehensive domestic-policy package that lays out in detail how a President Clinton would govern the United States of America. Deficit reduction; Role of private investment; Encourage inner city development. INSET: 'THEY'LL VOTE FOR ME BECAUSE THEY WANT A LEADER, NOT A BOSS'.

Discusses President George Bush, who is setting a cautious economic course, with few bold long-term plans. Instead of basking in the applause of a grateful nation, Bush now must convince impatient voters that he can turn the economy around. Goals of the Bush administration; Democrats focusing on economy; Middle-income tax cuts and real estate tax breaks; Budget constraints; Major Pentagon cuts; Health care plan proposal in February; Reform of system.

Reports that after nearly two years of bargaining, White House and Capitol Hill negotiators reached agreement on a multiyear plan to attack the deficit. Agreement falling short of the Deal of the century; Lack of a tax rate hike on wealthy people; Reduction in deficit to come from domestic spending cuts.

The article focuses on the role of U.S. Federal Reserve System (Fed) Chairman Alan Greenspan in allowing faster growth and lower unemployment than the Fed would have permitted in the past. By all conventional indicators, an interest-rate increase should have been a sure thing when the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee (FOMC) met on May 20, 1997. Indeed, most officials at the meeting seemed to favor hiking rates. Robert T. Parry, the inflation hawk who heads the San Francisco Fed, worried about the low jobless rate. Greenspan argued that there was no need for higher rates, noting that the economy showed signs of slowing. More important, he insisted to his colleagues, years of heavy spending on new technology finally could be yielding big productivity gains. U.S. President Bill Clinton shares Greenspan's view on the New Economy. It has been a remarkable odyssey for the 71-year-old New Yorker who is guiding the economy through the best times it has seen since the 1960s.

The article speculates what the U.S. would be like under a balanced budget. On February 6, U.S. President Bill Clinton will propose a fiscal agenda that promises a zero deficit by 2002. Balancing the budget by 2002 may have the ring of a bumper-sticker slogan, but it will have profound consequences on the U.S. and global economies, the future of many businesses, and the government's compact with the public. If the budget can actually be balanced on schedule and without gimmicks, and if Congress and the President can keep it out of the red, the payoff will be striking. more apparent. Bondholders may reap handsome profits, but the poor and elderly could see their benefits trimmed for everything from food stamps to health care. Clinton is proposing $138 billion in Medicare savings over six years, a $100 billion tax cut, and a spending freeze on most domestic programs except for education, which would get a big boost.

The article discusses the U.S. Joint Economic Committee of Congress study "U.S. Economic Growth to 1975: Potentials and Problems," which calculates what the economy is capable of producing over the next decade. The committee confirms in its report the possibility of attaining a 1.3 trillion U.S. dollar economy by 1971. The models used by the committee to make such a prediction are explained. The committee also emphasizes the need for a combination of increased expenditures and reduced taxes to achieve economic growth.

The article discusses the 1957 U.S. economic report which was written by the chairman of the President's Council of Economic Advisers Raymond J. Saulnier. The document contains economic policies by which U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower calls modern Republicanism. The policies emphasize welfare programs, public works, balanced budget and a decentralized power of government. For President Eisenhower, the document will play a key role in remaking the image voters perceive of the Republican party.

The article discusses measures taken buy U.S. Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke to fight the global recession. The nation's monetary base was increased 114% through May 2009. The biggest annual increase before this had been just under 16%. It is argued that this is an appropriate strategy, as the inflationary effects of the increased money supply are being offset by household debt repayments.

The article looks at the efforts of the U.S. to counteract the financial crisis, particularly in light of the failure of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Economic advisers to President Barack Obama have suggested avoiding bailout programs which would only deepen the recession. A package of spending and tax cuts totaling $819 billion has been approved by the House of Representatives on January 28, 2009.

The article discusses how Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will respond to a number of issues facing the U.S. economy, including high inflation, rising unemployment, and the credit crisis affecting U.S. banks and lending institutions. It is noted that because the economy is so unpredictable right now, Bernanke will not be inclined to make any bold decisions with regard to interest rates or company bailouts.

A profile of United States Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson is presented. Paulson is nicknamed "Mr. Risk," for his daring investment history and economic philosophy. Paulson's history at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. is also highlighted, as are his communication skills. Paulson is speculated to take a greater role in U.S. President George W. Bush's economic policy than previous Treasury Secretaries.

Presents the author's views on what lies ahead for the United States economy and the economies of Indian and China continue to grow. Review of how three million U.S. manufacturing jobs have been lost in the past half-decade; Suggestion that six million more will be gone in the coming ten years; Growth of the U.S. merchandise trade deficit with China; Benefit of inexpensive goods and services for American consumers; Discussion of how American companies are changing their business processes so they can take advantage of cheaper foreign labor.

Looks at the work of a nine-member panel appointed by U.S. President George W. Bush, which is investigating ways to make U.S. tax laws fairer, simpler, and more pro-growth. Review of how the panel is due to make the recommendations to the Bush Administration by September 30, 2005; Difficulty of debating and overhauling the tax code; Need for simplifying the tax code; Importance of attracting international investments.

Claims that none of the U.S. presidential candidates has come up with a viable plan for creating more jobs. Report that President George W. Bush and Democrats John Kerry and John Edwards have been touting their plans for reducing unemployment on the campaign trail; Report that a recent poll showed that 41% of Americans view jobs or the sluggish economy as their top concerns; Claim that the drop in employment rates during the last few years and the trend towards offshoring of white-collar work have become serious political liabilities for Bush; Discussion of Kerry's and Edwards' proposals to create tax incentives for U.S. businesses to keep employment at home, and to roll back Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy; Discussion of the Democratic candidates' move away from free trade and towards protectionism; Details of Bush's plan for boosting employment with tax cuts and tort reform; Claim that the approaches of both parties would likely curb growth. INSET: Jump-starting The Job Machine.

Dismisses as election-year gamesmanship a five-year budget proposal by U.S. president George W. Bush that he claims would cut the federal deficit in half. Details of the Bush administration's plans for reducing the deficit, which include a freezing of domestic spending unlikely to be approved by Congress; Observation that the Bush proposal does not include the additional spending likely to be needed in Iraq and Afghanistan; Charge that the administration is trying to hide the long-term costs of the new Medicare drug law by failing to offer ten-year projections; Prediction that members of Congress will battle proposed cuts to transportation spending and new subsidies to energy companies; Reactions of Republicans to the budget deficits; Speculation about whether the Congress will agree to make permanent Bush's tax cuts; Claim that Bush's problem is his unwillingness to make cuts in the biggest areas of government spending: defense and entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare. INSET: Mopping Up The Red Ink.

Focuses on the attempt of the administration of United States president George W. Bush to create a trade policy that will satisfy U.S. workers without appearing protectionist abroad. Threat of a trade war with China and Europe; Imposition of restrictions on Chinese textile imports; Plan to drop illegal tariffs on imported steel; Implications of the U.S. deficit on foreign trade; Deadline for the lifting of steel tariffs; Diplomacy needed to avoid major conflict. INSET: Trade Troubles.

This article discusses the economic risks of a U.S. Federal Reserve Board policy to reduce interest rates. A stock market runup created by low rates could falter if the economy fails to expand. Banks face a narrowing spread between costs of borrowing and costs of lending. Cheap money could trigger inflation if the economic recovery is fast. Low rates prolong the life of failing businesses. INSET: A Double-Edged Sword?.

Discusses how U.S. President George W. Bush's tax cut will affect the long-term growth of the economy. Provision of the tax law affecting investors; Percentage of increase in gross domestic product expected in 2004 with the introduction of the tax cuts; Improvement in the stock markets; Effects of tax cuts on the manufacturing, technology, retail and financial services industries. INSET: Who Will Benefit.

Discusses U.S. Federal Reserve Board's warning about the risk of deflation. Status of the U.S. economy; Impact to the economy of the decline of prices and income; Plans of the board to cut interest rates; Lessons to be learned by the U.S. from the steady price erosion that has occurred in Japan; Impact of deflation on the central bank.

The article reports that the U.S. economy is likely to be hit severely due to recent terror attacks in the United States. Terrorist attacks have devastated airlines, insurers, travel agents, and stockbrokers. Economists have predicted that prospects for corporate earnings will depend largely on consumers' willingness to spend. Industry experts are presenting a gloomy picture of corporate earnings.

Discusses how the fight over the heart of President Bill Clinton's economic program--$500 billion in deficit reduction, plus new spending and tax breaks to promote investment and infrastructure--is just beginning, and Clinton stands a good chance of winning approval for much of his program. Coming budget debate; Challenges to Clintonomics.

Looks at President-elect Bill Clinton's first round of economic appointments. Likely candidates; Economic agenda; Likely choices of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Lloyd Bentsen as Treasury Secretary and House Budget Committee Chairman Leon E.Panetta as head of the Office of Management & Budget. INSET: Team players? Economic advisers vying for Clinton's ear.;The....

Discusses how with elections just 10 months away, the economy is stagnant, voters are angry, and all the easy answers seem to have evaporated. Also notes that Congress and President George Bush will return to Washington in late January with much-talked about economic recovery plans. But the plan--built on a modest collection of tax cuts--will have a lot more to do with politics than economics. Policy paradox; False confidence; The outlook for tax proposals; More.

Discusses the agreement for the fiscal budget for 1991 which took politicians a lot of time and effort. Cost to elected officials; Low public esteem of Congress; Unchanged policy; Record-high tax rates; Implications for the next round of talks; Agreement does little to change the priorities that have shaped government spending for the past 25 years. INSET: The Budget Battle is over--until the next one..

Reports that despite a healthy economy, in early 1996 Democrats fear that it may not be strong enough to assure President Bill Clinton's reelection. The economy usually tending to carry a sitting President to reelection; Reasons for fears that voters do not give Clinton credit for the economy's gains; Anxiety caused by layoffs and wage stagnation; Reason why Clinton has some advantages; Details on the economy; Need to attack wage disparity; Dangers Clinton faces.

The article notes that a September 7, 2007 report from the U.S. Labor Department that the number of jobs created in the U.S. in August was far below expectations--4000 jobs were lost--suggests the economy could be weakening. This creates a difficult choice for the Federal Reserve. If it doesn't cut interest rates, the economy could soften further. If it does cut rates, inflation could rise.

The article highlights the growing importance of exports to the health of the U.S. economy. A weakening dollar and strong economic growth overseas should enable U.S. companies to export more, thus narrowing the trade gap and helping to offset the effects of a slack housing market. Risk factors include any emergence of protectionist policies in the U.S., and the possible stalling of foreign economies.

The article presents an exploration into the conditions of the U.S. economic markets in August 2007, particularly concerning financial market investors and their psychology. Various uncertainties and risks are outlined, pointing out the danger of tightening credit conditions. The author suggests that most investor slow-downs are a fear-reaction rather than an informed decision and suggests that just as many growth prospects exist in the existing market.

The article reports on the fines charged to U.S. companies who committed options backdating fraud. The Security & Exchange Commission set penalty rates for two guilty companies much lower than most would have imagined. They claim that options backdating is a less serious crime than say, accounting fraud, because it does not have as drastic an impact on shareholders.

The article focuses on topics discussed by Chairman Ben S. Bernanke during the U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting on January 30 and 31. Particular focus is given to the issue of labor markets. It is reported that unemployment rates fell for the month of December 2006. Other topics mentioned in the article are inflation and interest rates.

Presents the author's views on recent events in the United States economy as of August 1, 2005. Overview of recent remarks by Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan regarding an increase in interest rates; Suggestion that the economy appears to be regaining momentum as it enters the second half of the year; Effects of increased oil prices on federal interest rates.

Discusses the role of the U.S. Federal Reserve in the American economy. Expectation that the Fed will increase short-term interest rates three more times beyond the rate of 3.25% before assessing economic growth; Financial events that have been triggered by Federal rate hikes; Why Federal Reserve officials are worried about the booming housing market and speculative buying; The impact of interest rate hikes on the manufacturing industry; Idea that the Institute for Supply Management survey and June car sales show a positive outlook; The issue of a stronger dollar that could drag on U.S. exports.

Examines economic policy in the U.S. as of May 30, 2005. Criticizes the outcome of Social Security reform policies instituted by Alan Greenspan, chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, in 1983; Report that a shortfall of $4 trillion in the Social Security fund despite past attempts to fix the system; Impact of slow growth in wages and increasing income inequality on the Social Security deficit; Discussion of the impact of increased taxes on the deficit; Recommendations for Social Security reform policies.

Examines U.S. economic policies as of April 4, 2005. Impact of statements made by Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan in 2003, in which he disclosed the Federal Reserve's long-term plans for interest rates; Concern that Greenspan's revelation of interest rate plans would increase inflation; Impact of energy prices and consumer spending on inflation; Efforts of the Federal Reserve to coordinate short-term and long-term interest rates; Projected impact of the Federal Reserve's disclosure on U.S. markets.